Perry makes it seven with Rosetta

The Rockpool Group will open it’s very first Italian restaurant – Rosetta – at Crown next week, making it the Group’s third restaurant in Melbourne and seventh in Australia.

Rosetta Ristorante, a sophisticated and elegant Italian ristorante, combines a stunning Iain Halliday-designed dining room with typical top-shelf Rockpool Group service, and a seasonally driven menu of Neil Perry’s favourite regional recipes from his extensive travels through Italy.

Halliday’s design was inspired by the simple elegance of Cipriani’s and Harry’s Bar and features Carrara and Viola marble throughout the dining room together with rich mahogany parquetry walls adorned by some of Italy’s most famous faces.

The large domed ceilings with Barovier&Toso chandeliers contrast the russet coloured velvet banquettes, custom-made leather chairs and sheer linen blinds that cocoon the space.

“Iain and I wanted Rosetta to be classical, luxe and to reference all the important ‘Italianisms’ that we aspire to,” said Neil Perry.

“From the punched tan leather reception desk, which resembles the interior of a Ferrari, to the vintage Fornasetti screens, antiques and gilded pieces, everything has been meticulously sourced to create this highly individual, beautifully designed and highly functional restaurant.”

A wood-fired oven and char grill lies at the heart of the kitchen which will create simple but sophiscticaed Italian dishes such as suckling pig, roast chicken and wood fired suckling lamb.

Not surprisingly pasta is also a major feature of the menu with two dedicated chefs hand-making over 16 different kinds of pasta each day, from maccaronara, cavatelli and garganelli to the more traditional fettuccine, pappardelle and gnocchi.

Head chef Brendan Sheldrick will work closely with Perry, interpreting his modern, produce-inspired philosophy, while putting his own touches on the menu.

Source: Foodservice, 15 October 2012