Grappa owner Charlie Colosi to take his Italian flavours to The Rocks
The owner of Leichhardt icon Grappa is opening an Italian restaurant at a site occupied by Rockpool for 25 years.
The site at Sydney’s The Rocks has been empty since 2022.
Grappa owner Charlie Colosi,who has steered Grappa to success over the course of 25 years, has been searching for an iconic site for his next venture and the George St site, which has a long history in the food industry, was the perfect venue.
Neil Perry was in residence at the site from 1989 until 2014, before hospitality students at William Blue College trod the hallowed turf until 2022.
While Colosi is yet to name the new venture, it will be another Italian restaurant. Architect Vince Squillace (Hugos Manly, Shaffa) will recraft the space.
Squillace wants to reveal the building’s mid-1850s sandstone.
“We’re stripping back and starting again,” he said.
The George St precinct is attracting a new breed of hospitality stars, with Le Foote opening last year near distillery and dining room start-up, Hickson House.
Behind Le Foote is Swillhouse, the team behind Hubert and Alberto’s Lounge.
Colosi’s restaurant is set to open early in 2025.
Jonathan Jackson, 19th March 2024
