Centre Courtyard
425 Bourke St, Surry Hills
02 9358 5030
ilpatio.com.au
While the style of the venue’s name might loose some of it’s Italian gusto with the Australian drawl, Il Patio is adding a touch of southern Italy to Sydney’s after hours scene. You’ll find this little gem nestled at Bourke Street’s Centre Courtyardand Naple-born chef, Francesco Armillis, is offering up some eclectic and modern Italian style fare.
Sarah Clare – the attentively hospitable Melbournite bartender – is on hand to look after all your imbibing needs. Her cocktail list isn’t tricked-up in any way, and sticks to the classics. The Last Word is an old favourite: an off-dry and complex number that combines citrusy gin with nutty maraschino liqueur, the herbal freshness of green Chartreuse and the tang of fresh lime juice. Il Patio boasts a smart little wine list too and with a few of those ‘alternate’ varietals that we’d like to see a bit more of making an appearance it looks as thought the team has thought about the wines before simply reaching for the usual suspects – well done.
Home-grown Arneis and Verdelho sit along side an intelligent selection of new and old world drops. What is even more exciting is the selection of craft brews on hand – many not to be found anywhere else in Sydney.
There’s the generously hopped Emerson’s Bookbinder Bitter from Dunedin as well as the delightfully rich St Peter’s Cream Stout from the UK to get you started and when you delve into the house food offering, you might just want to stick around for some time.