LOCATION
On King Street Wharf overlooking Sydney’s Darling Harbour, a few minutes’ walk from the CBD.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Maybe it’s because the sun has decided to shine for the first time in months, or perhaps it’s the fact that the coffee at Vessel Italian & Bar is caffeinated to perky perfection, but this restaurant has put me in a damn good mood. Drinking and dining at this spacious CBD sanctuary is like stretching out into a newly made bed – clean, crisp and refreshing. As I arrive, the cafe side of the venue is still quietly buzzing with late-lunchers enjoying purposeful tête-à-têtes behind wide screen Macbooks. In the short time since its opening, Vessel Italian & Bar’s cafe-deli area has already become known for its home-baked baguettes, which have proved a hit with bankers and business consultants looking to re-energise before an afternoon of monotonous meetings. Although the decor is light, airy and modern, the baguette fillings are devilishly old-fashioned and include favourites such as English style warm corned beef, mustard and pickles.
Even though Vessel Italian & Bar enjoys a prime Sydney setting just behind the glittering and glamorous King Street Wharf, you won’t find any curious tourists nosing around the slick, curvy zinc bar or elegant dining room. It’s all corporate class at this sophisticated bar-restaurant complex. Chef Paul Toogood has developed a simple menu that gets straight to business when it comes to bold flavours and down to earth prices. Pizzas and pastas kick things off, soon followed by a few substantial salads and a good dose of meaty mains. Like the food menu, the cocktail list is a no fuss selection of classics, designed to satisfy the caprioska cravings of after-work crowds. There is a lovely sheltered alfresco area where you can order drinks and snacks off the bar menu. Come summer time these high bar tables are bound to become hot property amongst Macquarie Bank minglers.
Kate Steinweg, August 2010
DETAILS
Bid bon voyage to the stresses of the working day and head down to the gourmet destination that is Vessel Italian & Bar, a stunning new venture from the Vardis Group (of Velero, Steersons Steakhouse and Georges Mediterranean Bar & Grill esteem). Whether diners choose an indoor or outdoor table, the slick restaurant’s high glass walls pour light into the vast space and present sweeping views to Darling Harbour. Exposed wooden ceiling beams and a futuristic central light fixture anchor the dining room’s modern feel, echoed in the Vessel Café’s palette of blue, white and warm brown accompanied by art-like glass and timber structures. Slip through to Vessel Bar, where architectural design features once more in the organic, kidney-shaped chrome bar encases a bounty of local and foreign beverages.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Chef Paul Toogood caters for a range of tastes and dining styles, heading up Vessel’s deluxe dining room and adjacent relaxed café. Rustic Italian favourites are the common theme among theme. Throughout the venue, diners are offered simple, fresh and satisfying flavours with the likes of the three egg omelette with chorizo, marjoram and potato for breakfast; king prawn, aioli, wild rocket & black pepper sandwich on wholegrain bread for lunch; orrechiette with prawns, cima di rape, tomato & grilled chilli. Soak up a classic (Lychee Martini) or signature (Mellow Yellow - gin, cointreau, passionfruit pulp, pineapple juice) cocktail with some of Vessel Bar’s savoury nibbles. Try the cured meat plate with homemade pickles, or go for the potato, caramelised onion, gorgonzola and rosemary thin crust pizza for something more substantial.
FUNCTIONS
Vessel Italian & Bar is available for both seated and cocktail functions, starting from $34 per person and $15.50 per person, respectively. Their spaces can accommodate 10 to 140 guests seated, and 150 to 400 guests standing.
OPENING TIMES
The Café is open Monday-Friday from 7am to 5pm; Vessel Bar Monday-Friday from 12pm to late; Vessel Dining Monday-Friday from 12pm to 3pm and from 5:30pm to late.