The reimaging of a classic, heritage-listed venue in The Rocks has delivered the type of sophisticated wine and dining venue that can accommodate many tastes, with an expansive wine list and menu that slides effortlessly from Paris to the Mediterranean coast, while not disguising an Australian identity.
Drop in for a glass and a bite either before or after visiting a show at the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art.
As part of the Swillhouse Group – proprietors of a scattering of fashionable Sydney venues, steered by Anton Forte, Allie Webb, Stefan Forte, Toby Hilton, Anthony Moore, and Jordan McDonald – Le Foote opened during 2013 to present an impressive array of wines that span both Old World and New World styles, ranging from classic European wines impacted by sea breezes, volcanic soils and ancient varietals, to a new generation of Antipodean wines.
To explain it all, the wine list contains compartments that explain the textures and impacts of the wines – texturally decadent, powerful; orange and oxified; spicy, earthy and complex; monolithic body and constitution. A huge by-the-glass program also offers at least 40 wines from all over the world at different price points.
“Offering wines for everyone means affordability as well, with great value wines like a glass of Shobbrook ‘Poolside’ Rose, which we serve on tap, through to a rare vintage bottle of 2000 Bernard Defaix 1er Cru Chablis, or a premium glass of Barolo served under Coravin,” says Anton Forte. “Wines with a story are always welcomed at Le Foote, whether it be a tiny winery in Mt Etna that has been owned by the same family for generations, or a husband-and-wife duo making wine in Yarra Valley.”
Le Foote boasts a complex layout over two levels, with two different bars, each serving cocktails and access to the huge list of wines available by the glass, carafe or bottle. Upstairs has plush seating on black leather banquettes, then the rear of the venue is occupied by an 80-seat dining room, lined with an ornate Etruscan mural. The Mediterranean-inspired menu is stacked with small plates, plus substantial meat and seafood options cooked over charcoal in the building’s original cookhouse. The lights are set low, and the serene mood carried by a breezy soundtrack of laid-back, classic Italian tunes, tasty jazz and pulsing Euro grooves. It capably proves itself as a venue that caters for many tastes and appetites, all at the same time.
Fratelli Paradiso’s founders, brothers Giovanni and Enrico Paradiso, and Marco Ambrosino, all hail from Melbourne (like Sydney’s other favourite adopted Italian-Australian son, Maurizio Terzini), but decided to make the move north to open their iconic Potts Point restaurant in 2001. Today, Fratelli Paradiso is unarguably one of Sydney’s modern institutions, as it eases towards completing…
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Sommelier Stuart Knox got his start in the wine game after begging to be promoted from waiter to sommelier at London institution Bibendum, Terence Conran’s first restaurant. Three years later, and the young Knox had quite the education after handling the 1500-bin wine list (compiled by Matthew Jukes at the time) and a discerning clientele…
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