We went to Conte, the new restaurant by Bar Conte, located right in the CBD.
While her Surry Hills sister caters to a more local, small crowd, Conte focuses on the international tastes of the city.
Owners Raffaele Lombardi and Victoria Hampshire spoke to us about their new concept.

If there’s one thing Bar Conte is known for, it’s unwavering Italian authenticity. The small neighbourhood venue sits on the corner of Riley Street and Foveaux Street in Surry Hills, proudly holding the title of the world’s first dedicated Negroni bar and Italian restaurant.

Loved by locals, whether as a date spot, a place to grab an Italian coffee in the morning, or somewhere to share a bowl of pasta, the masterminds behind the bar have decided to expand. Enter Conte, a new venue located on Clarence Street, in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

The duo behind Bar Conte, Negroni expert Raffaele Lombardi and interior designer Victoria Hampshire, have combined their knowledge to create a new chic city location, which still champions Negronis above all else.

We were welcomed into the stunning new venue, as Raffaele and Victoria took us through their concept, what makes the space different to Surry Hills, and why it has remained so authentically Italian.

What’s different to Bar Conte in Surry Hills?

First of all, the new restaurant is much larger. Where Bar Conte seats fewer than 50 diners, Conte can hold up to 130 people across multiple levels. The top floor is where you’ll find the Negroni Room, a private area which can be split into smaller rooms using sweeping curtains, perfect for special events.

Bar Conte embraces the charm and buzzy neighbourhood bar vibe in Surry Hills. It opens at 7:30am, serving “the best” Italian coffee, according to Raffaele. Customers can spend breakfast, lunch and dinner in the venue, with Negronis flowing all day — responsibly, of course. Bar Conte is more intimate — they want guests to feel “like they’re in our house”.

Conte, meanwhile, embodies the formality of the city and is already a popular (and impressive) place for a business lunch. It’s also a more internationally-inspired, as you’ll notice through the wine and drinks list, which is more extensive and includes a variety of cognacs.

Music is key to Conte too, reflecting the busier city energy, Raffaele shared. He proudly showed off the sound system, which he purchased from award-winning Tasmanian sound system designers, Pitt and Giblin. They flew in from Tassie to assess the space before confirming that Raffaele could purchase their speakers. The seal of approval! Raffaele is in charge of the playlist, too, turning up the volume with the push of a button on his iPad.

What makes Conte so Italian?

Two words: Negroni tiramisu. It might be the most Italian sounding dessert we’ve ever heard.

Conte brings the country’s influence into every part of the menu, though. From the light, house-made focaccia and Wagyu tartare topped with Parmigiano, to the selection of pastas and the lobster risotto designed for two, head chef and venue partner Steven De Vecchi has created an elegant menu that showcases the best of Italian cuisine. He trialled dishes on the Bar Conte menu for months to test diners’ reactions, too.

Adding to the Italian authenticity, there is just one rule at Conte: the team must all speak to Raffaele in Italian. So you’ll probably hear the language floating round as you sip on your Negronis.

Victoria’s interior design choices also enhances the space’s Italian flair, with luxurious Italian leather seating and striking wallpaper by Milanese brand, Fornasetti. Rich emerald green tile and red walls decorated with vintage ‘Made In Italy’ alcohol posters — sourced by Raffaele in Rome and Milan — also feel very European.

Even the opening times are Italian. When telling us what time the venue was open, Raffaele declared that it would never open on a Sunday, because “Sundays are for football”. And he doesn’t mean the AFL. The bar also stresses that it is open for aperitivo, the Italian tradition of a pre-meal drink with a snack.

The drinks menu features over 30 varieties of Negroni (Bar Conte offers 40+), as well as a range of unique Italian Vermouths, bitters, rare Amari and premium spirits. Italian beer and wine is also included on their extensive drinks menu.

Conte

Where: 151 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000.
Opening times: Monday–Friday 12pm–3pm & 4pm ’til late; Saturday 4pm ’til late; Sunday closed.

contesydney.com.au

Bar Conte

Where: 340 Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Opening times: Monday–Wednesday 7:30am–3pm & 4pm–10pm; Thursday 7:30am–3pm & 4pm–midnight; Friday 7:30am–midnight; Saturday 8am–midnight; Sunday closed.

barconte.com.au