Harry’s by Giuls serves anything but simple Italian… The restaurant has a funky vibe with a unique Italian-inspired menu, delicious cocktails, and welcoming hospitality.
Less than a year after opening Giuls in Surry Hills, female powerhouse duo Giulia Treuner and Esmeralda Perez have opened their second restaurant. Welcome to Darlinghurst Harry’s by Giuls!
The two Italian restaurants offer a similar menu consisting of delicious Italian tapas and pastas, however, Harry’s also serves pizza.
Prior to becoming restaurateurs, Giulia spent half a decade with Rockpool and Esmeralda Perez was Head Chef at Bondi’s Carbon Mexican woodfire restaurant. They opened the Tuscan-inspired eatery Giuls in 2021 and have once again enlisted Alessio Rago (previously Executive Chef at Manly Pavilion) as Head Chef.
Harry’s is named in tribute to Giulia’s grandfather who encouraged her to follow her passion and open a restaurant. “Together we’d travel Italy in the summertime and spend Sunday’s eating pasta,” explains Giulia.
Outside bright green and white umbrellas welcome guests to alfresco dining. The interior is decorated with a collection of wine bottled on the wall, raw exposed bricks and pale pink tiles. Harry’s smiling face features on a large vibrant pink and green mural created by street artist Bodie Jarman.
The food is best described as modern Italian with roots firmly placed in classics.
Big fat Sicilian olives ($9) were just the right appetizer indicating the food delights to come. We then ordered an assortment of tapas dishes including fried polenta with spicy aioli and Cantabrian anchovies ($14), East 33 oysters with pickle pear mignonette (market price), and deep fried panko pork topped with parmesan sauce and lime ($19).
One of our favourite things about Giuls and now Harry’s is the creative spin the team put on the dishes. The artichoke dish is served cold with pangrattato (breadcrumbs), mandarin oil, and cashew sauce ($14). It surprised our palates and was uber refreshing.
As big fans of the Vodka Pasta at Giuls (get the recipe here), we had to try Harry’s Drunk Pasta which is based on the traditional sweet and sour Roman dish. Expect to see it all over Instagram as it looks like alien tentacles and is pale pink from the red wine infusion. Giulia says, “It’s a dish you either love or not. It took me a few bites to decide I did like it, as the taste is unusual. If you’re looking to challenge your palate, this is your order. If your taste profile is more traditional then perhaps stick to Harry’s other pasta offerings such as Pappardelle with Ossobucco Ragu.”
And of course, we couldn’t leave Harry’s without squeezing in a slice of pizza! We went with the white base, truffle mushroom, fior di latte and cream – It’s amore! And rest assured, Harry’s does not scrimp on the truffle.
We also loved the exclusively Italian wine list (with a dash of French Champagne). The list isn’t short with over 30 wines and we were pleased to see at least half of the wines available by the glass. Our pick of the extensive menu is the ruby red Nero d’Avola Feudo Arancio (glass $13, bottle $58) made from a Sicilian grape. It was soft and velvety in texture, tasting of currants, strawberries and pomegranate.
We didn’t need dessert but Giulia insisted and after a taste, we were so glad she did. The white chocolate mousse with oranges and Sambuca ($15) was a decadent finisher to a delicious meal, accompanied by a shot of house-made limoncello ($11).
The 80-seat restaurant offers comfortable indoor and alfresco dining which is ideal for those who like to people-watch the Stanley Street eclectic thoroughfare. And great news, there are no two-hour seating allocations. Like Giuls, Harry’s is a restaurant you can relax at for hours, Italian style.
Harry’s is no ‘simple Italian’ eatery. The duo have created a funky Italian restaurant with some fun, creative menu options, delicious cocktails, and a welcoming cool Italian vibe.
Find Harry’s by Hiuls at 78 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
Open Wed-Thurs 4pm till late and Frid-Sun 12pm till late.