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. 

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