Renowned restaurateur Joe Mammone, who co-owns beloved CBD spots Il Bacaro and Sarti, has welcomed a third restaurant to his portfolio, opening Bar Carolina in South Yarra. Located on Toorak Road, Joe’s first venture outside of the city has been fashioned as a sophisticated and contemporary southside bar and restaurant, offering Italian bistro-style dining with modern accents.
Fresh pastas and other vibrant Italian dishes sit on the menu designed by Paolo Masciopinto, who most know as the Head Chef over at Sarti. He has put together a punchy list of dishes that also includes fish and meat options served from a special Josper charcoal oven. There’s a number of vegetarian options too, such as ravioli filled with beetroot and served with goats cheese and poppy seeds, or an entree of maple roasted carrots with cashews, pine nuts and fresh cheese.
Signatures include tagliolini with Morton bay bugs, porcini and fried chili, braised baby goat with broad beans and shaved salted ricotta, a number of steaks of varying sizes, and a theatrical tiramisu encased within a spherical orb of white chocolate that needs to be smashed open by diners.
“You can expect much more to come out of the top end of Toorak Road in the very near future and I’m thrilled that Bar Carolina will be a key part of it”, said Mammone. “[It’s] a neighbourhood hub where people can stop by for any reason, be it the aperitivo in the late afternoon sunshine, a twice weekly dinner, or a big celebratory event”.
The restaurant and bar, which features a cosy courtyard at the rear, doesn’t take it’s drinks list lightly either. There’s more than 100 wines consisting of all Italian grape varietals, grown in both Italy and Australia. There’s also plenty of rare Italian spirits including Melatti and Capo Capo available in various cocktails.
Bar Carolina
Address: 44 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Hours: Mon-Tues 5:30pm-10pm; Wed-Sat 11:30am-10pm
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