Published 2 years ago

Now Open: Mister Bianco’s Kew Bar, Bianchetto, Has Sicilian Snacks and Cocktails by Orlando Marzo

Photo: Courtesy Of Bianchetto / Arianna Leggiero

The intimate new spot is a “chill-out zone” with Americano cocktails prepared tableside and an opulent olive oil Martini. Plus, flatbread stuffed with mortadella and spicy sausage spiedino to snack on, and 1960s Italian films projected on the walls.

Words by Jo Rittey · Updated on 15 Jul 2026 · Published on 18 Mar 2024

When chef and restaurateur Joe Vargetto moved to a newer and larger version of his Sicilian-leaning restaurant Mister Bianco last November, he envisaged three distinct venues in one building.

Mister Bianco 2.0 opened with a restaurant space downstairs and La Sala function room upstairs. Now cocktail bar Bianchetto joins the fold. “It’s not a holding bay, it’s not a waiting room, it is its own little zone,” Vargetto tells Broadsheet.

Step in off the street through the sliding door and take a right, entering the bar through a Klimt-esque gold curtain draped across the entrance.

High ceilinged as it is, the softly lit 42-seater still feels intimate and moody. Crimson velour curtains cover one end of the room, and old-school leather booth seating hugs the olive-green walls. Soft light comes from small table lamps and the glow of 1960s Italian films projected on the wall.

“I want it to be a chill-out zone,” says Vargetto. “You enter through the curtain, the movies are playing and it’s very comfortable.”

Beverage consultant Orlando Marzo – founder of Drinks by Loro and 2018 Diageo World Class Australia Bartender of the Year – designed a menu of classic Italian drinks with a local twist, and “a little side of wine”.

His Olive Oil Martini, made with Mount Zero cold-pressed frantoio olives, is clean and opulent without the brine. The Sicilian Sour is a riff on the Bloody Mary, with Vargetto’s passata, marsala and lemon.

The Bianchetto Bellini features sour Amarena cherries with elderflower cordial and sparkling wine, while the Americano is mixed “al tavolo” – tableside – from a dedicated trolley.

There are some simple Sicilian snacks, like olives ascolana (stuffed with ‘nduja, crumbed and fried); scaccia (flatbread) filled with mortadella; and green-pepper-and-spicy-sausage spiedino (skewers). Those with a penchant for boozy treats can finish with whisky-and-chocolate cigars or cassata-amaro gelato.

Bianchetto
26–28 Cotham Road, Kew
(03) 9853 6929

Hours:
Tues to Sat 6pm–late

misterbianco.com.au