The ingenious team behind Alberto’s Lounge and Restaurant Hurbert transform the historic Phillip’s Foote site into a Euro wine bar.
It’s safe to say that the Swillhouse hospitality group can do no wrong. With two of Sydney’s most on-trend restaurants under their belt, Italian restaurant Alberto’s Lounge and French-restaurant Restaurant Hubert, the team have now just opened Le Foote, a multi-level Mediterranean grill and European-inspired wine bar. It’s poised as the next best thing to happen in The Rocks since Quay, with the promise of great wine, live music and an all-around European feel.
The building housing Le Foote has heritage charm, being one of Australia’s longest-standing commercial buildings. It housed a variety of different occupants before the Dredge family took over in the 1970s to open a classic bar and steakhouse, Phillip’s Foote. Situated opposite the MCA, the area features cobblestone laneways, alfresco dining areas and a classic Sydney pub atmosphere. The Swillhouse team have kept the bustling attractiveness of the area, whilst adding a contemporary splash. The decor is colourful, inspired by classic European garden restaurants with lush plants, terracotta colours and mid-century art on display. But the showstopping piece is the dining room mural, created from specially sourced tiles from the town of Civita Castellana.
Taking charge of the kitchen is the esteemed Head Chef, Stefano Marano. The menu is fresh, delicate and celebrates the flavours of modern Euro cuisine, with Cantabrian white anchovies, Scallop carpaccio and Rainbow trout for starters. Moving onto main dishes, you can feast on much heartier selections like Roasted lamb belly, Coral Coast barramundi and Black Tide rib eye, all prepared over charcoal. Dishes are designed to share (or not) and you can even finish off your meal with sweets and pudding, including Banana parfait or Tete de moine with chutney and lavosh.
It’s not a wine bar without an extensive drinks menu, and at Le Foote, the bar space can seat up to almost 200 people with little shared plates available for casual drinking and eating. On the list is more than 300 unique bottles of wine, built around interesting drops you might find whilst on your next European adventure, whether it be the tropical islands of Greece or desert Morocco. Complementing the wine is also a short (but delicious) cocktail menu, featuring a signature banana daiquiri and classics like a negroni.
Le Foote is now open from Thur-Sun from 12pm, and Mon-Sun 5pm-Late. For more information, visit their website here.
Looking for more new bars in Sydney? Check out The Rock’s gin bar, Frank Mac’s