Taking over the former Marie Louise Salon on Enmore Road, Maestro Hospitality has confirmed the opening of Vineria Luisa, a new Italian wine and gin bar.
The venue is the latest project from experienced operators Anna and Alessandro Pavoni, the duo behind Ormeggio at The Spit, Cibaria Manly, and Summer Hill’s Postino Osteria. The new space marks the group’s first venue where the drinks menu leads the charge.
“Our vineria is a love letter to the Italian heart of gin: bold, botanical, and born to be shared,” Pavoni said.
The offering includes a European wine list, specially curated to match each dish on the menu, alongside a dedicated gin-based cocktail list, the space also features a rotating chalkboard drinks menu.
For an Umami, Earthy, and Savoury sip the Olive You Tomato Features Triple G Australian Dry Gin, Turmeric Olive Oil, and Tomato Cordial, and for a more Crisp, and Bright cocktail, the Pickle Me Softly, includes Luisa Botanico, Bordiga Dry, Citrus, Dill, and Salt.
“A wine bar that works for its neighbour as a pit stop for a G&T, a convivial night out with friends for dinner and vino, a pre-theatre meeting spot, a post-theatre negroni and pasta-fix, an extension of your house where the bartender makes your favourite usual and the pasta is even better than your Nonna’s. A spot like this is the soul of the neighbourhood – just like in Italy, Pavoni said.”
Designed by Perry Drakopoulos, the interior is a nod to the Italian prohibition ages, referencing the building’s former life as the Marie Louise Salon.
The food menu has a focus on classic Italian share plates, from small bar snacks to traditional pastas, with a casual walk-in bar downstairs and an upstairs dining room available for a more prearranged evening, the new venue allows for both reservations and unintentional late-night sips.