Attenzione Food & Wine

Attenzione is a wine bar and diner by four mates who’ve worked together in some of Sydney’s favourite venues, including Ragazzi, Fabbrica, Yellow, Lola’s and The Old Fitz. That experience culminates in a venue who’s name is Italian, but has a menu with influences that extend well beyond The Boot.

If you're here to eat, don't look past the signature Pico XL; a knot of thick pici that looks more like a bowl of chewy Korean potato noodles than a pasta. It’s doused in a green scallion crema and a sprinkling of soba cha, a nutty buckwheat tea from Japan.

The other half of the Attenzione equation is wine, and here you’ll find a robust by-the-glass roster and a focus on nebbiolo. With subheadings like “Big whiffs, turned up to 11” and “Thinks it’s a red, but it’s a white”, picking the right bottle actually feels exciting, not daunting.

From the red lightbox outside shouting “ATTENZIONE!” to the egg-yolk-yellow walls and ceiling, every inch of the restaurant demands your attention. Out back, in the speakeasy-style bar, the tone shifts. Fans of the room’s former identities as DD’s or Gunther’s Dining Room will feel at home with the RSL-core wall panelling, chandeliers and plush red booths.