First Look: Sandwiches Star at a New Family-Run Pizzeria, in an Old Marrickville Factory

One of the biggest challenges of opening a venue in Sydney is finding the right spot to bring your vision to life. Some teams are hell-bent on securing a corner site, or one with a view. Obviously the neighbourhood, length of lease and rent are considerations, too. Sometimes, though, the perfect spot just falls into your lap.

In 2024, when the Botte family moved into the historic 1926 General Motors factory on a Marrickville backstreet, there was already a half-finished cafe courtesy of former resident Odyssey Jean Town. After converting the majority of the streetside space into a showroom for the family’s metalworks company (By Vincenzo), siblings Giovanni and Giuliana Botte decided to move away from construction and jump into the hospitality industry, turning what was a shell of a venue into By V Bar & Cafe.

They had the support of their dad, Vincenzo Botte, and recruited head chef Luigi Peluso. The result is a homely Italian cafe, spanning inside the showroom and an expansive outdoor area.

It’s a big menu, and the first-time hospo team is still tweaking and refining it. Coffee and brekkie standards join pizza, pasta and salads – but the standouts are the sandwiches.

The build-your-own panini format goes for traditional Italian sangas over the schnitty-on-sourdough or loaded toasties you find at Sydney’s hyped sandwich joints.

Begin by choosing your bread: keep it simple with a fluffy house-made focaccia, go for the crispier Neapolitan-style panuozzo, or hit the baciata, a folded round of Peluso’s pizza dough.

Then, pick your filling: slow-cooked meatballs, mortadella with a pair of creamy cheeses, or crispy porchetta with potatoes and caramelised onions. Or maybe a veggie medley in the form of caponata with olives and fior di latte. Giovanni’s favourite, however, is the salsiccia e friarielli – spicy sausage with the dark Italian leafy green, plus provolone and a sprinkle of chilli – on the panuozzo.

Our pick? The mortadella on baciata. The fior di latte and stracciatella is a “more is more” situation, only made better by the Roman-style pizza dough.

Once the venue acquires its liquor licence, expect an afternoon aperitivo hour and dinner services. For now, swing by for a spicy Italian sausage panuozzo. Or focaccia. Or baciata.

By V Bar & Cafe
Shop 6B, 10 Carrington Road, Marrickville

Hours:
Daily 8am–3pm

byvbarandcafe.com
@byvbarandcafe