Sandro Pasta & Wine

With its crisp white tablecloths and wine-stacked shelves, Sandro Wine & Pasta is most “mature” of restaurateur Marco Finanzio’s other High Street venues, Umberto Espresso Bar, Gigi and Joanie’s. Still, it’s not a stuffy or exclusive sort of place – when the wine bar opened in 2024, no dishes were priced over $40. And the tables are so close together, you’ll likely end up chatting to the people next to you. Fun.

Come for snacks like chargrilled mortadella skewers slathered in fermented honey; and vinegary white anchovies draped over chopped green olives on slabs of golden fried brioche. Handmade pastas might include a classic bucatini all’amatriciana; squid ink calamarata (named for its resemblance to calamari rings) with calamari ragu; or bottoni brodo, button-shaped pasta filled with ricotta and Parmigiano Reggiano and served in broth.

Pair one with a pre-batched Drinks by Loro bergamot Negroni and a wine from the approachable list, like William Downey pinot noir and Patrick Sullivan chardonnay by the glass. Sandro has a retail licence, so you can also take a bottle and some fresh pasta home with you.