Caffe Bartolo, the Italian eatery that opened in the old Bills spot in Surry Hills last year, has undergone a small renovation – including dropping the word “Caffe” from its name.

When owner Jared Merlino (Lobo Plantation, Kittyhawk) opened the venue in October 2018, he was inspired by the success of Big Poppa’s, his split-level Italian eatery down the road in Darlinghurst.

Back then, the plan was for the drinks to take a back seat to the food menu, which would be influenced by what Merlino ate growing up – his grandmother’s Italian cooking – and crafted by head chef Teofilo Nobrega (Fratelli Paradiso).

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Now that the venue’s applications for a PSA (Primary Service Authorisation) and extended trading hours have been approved, the drinks are becoming more of a focus. “Now we can focus back on our strengths, which are cocktails, long lunches and late-night dining,” Merlino said in a statement.

The PSA allows guests to come in and have a drink without necessarily buying food or a meal, and the venue has had a rejig to accommodate more patrons who just want to have a drink or two. It’ll also be open until midnight now – something that wasn’t feasible without the PSA.

Bartolo’s new cocktail menu, designed by creative director Grazia di Franco, features traditional Italian spritzes (we even included them in our round-up of Aperol spritzes in Sydney) that are all low-ABV. This is the third of di Franco’s seasonal cocktail lists for the venue.

A new bar has been added at the front of the restaurant, with bar tables and stools to match. The main dining room has been carpeted, and small changes will be made to add more warmth and ambiance.

“My vision for Bartolo was always to create a space that felt like our little Italian home that catered for amazing drinks and dining experiences across both day and night,” Merlino said.

Bartolo is at 359 Crown Street, Surry Hills.

bartolosydney.com.au

This article first appeared on Broadsheet on July 3, 2019. Menu items may have changed since publication.