Nina Ferro @ Tetto Di Carolina

Tetto Di Carolina is a first-floor cocktail spot that sits above its sibling,  Italian diner Bar Carolina. Tetto – which means “roof” in Italian – is  elegant and refined, but comfortable enough to relax in, too.

Joe Mammone (Il Bacaro, Bar Carolina, and the now-closed Sarti) co-owns the cocktail bar with business partners James Sutherland and singer-songwriter Joey Dee. 

On Sundays, this classy establishment goes one better by featuring some of Melbourne's most exquisite Jazz Singers accompanied by Mark Fitzgibbon on Piano and Phillip Rex on Double Bass.

The drinks menu has Italian-influenced cocktail classics, along with  an extensive European wine list. Try the American Beauty — part  Americano and part Spritz, with Campari-like Select Aperitivo, Maidenii  vermouth, strawberry-jasmine syrup and prosecco. And if you’re loyal to  the Espresso Martini, sip the Cafe Decadente, made with Amaro  Montenegro, white-chocolate cream, coffee and nutmeg.

The food is traditional Italian with a few unusual riffs. Scallop  carpaccio comes with honey fermented yuzu, coral-like squid-ink tapioca  crisps and bitter dandelion. And there’s even an homage to the KFC  Zinger Burger — a brioche bun filled with is buttermilk-brined fried  chicken, pickles, fennel coleslaw and a lip-tingling spike of chilli.

The space is by designer Chris Connell (Agostino, Duke’s Coffee Roasters,  and Bar Carolina, and draws influence from cocktail bars in Italy and  Europe. Its six-metre bar is made from walnut, with handmade walnut  stools to perch on, and white terrazzo tiles underfoot. At the other end  of the room are plush, silvery-grey leather booths and banksia-esque  light fittings.

Table Bookings Advisable: Phone: (03) 9867 7954