2018 could well see Sydney crowned the capital of pop-up venues. In fact, there’s another arriving just around the corner; Italian venue Don Peppino’s is about to make a new home on Oxford Street.

The ‘good times’ Italian comes courtesy of of pop-up experts Full Circle, a collective containing Daniel Johnston (of Vini and Hubert), Harry Levy (of Acme, and Bar Brosé) and Tom Merryweather. The trio are all experienced at the temporary restaurant game, having been behind much adored Sydney short-term venues Wilmer, Alfio’s and The Eat In.

Don Peppino’s is inspired by the group’s extensive travel (and eating adventures) throughout Italy, and has been promised rowdy, authentic Italian at its finest. Don Peppino’s will live in the former site of the Grand Pacific Blue Room on Sydney’s main drag of Oxford Street, a former nightclub that will now have more of a food-focused future with the 60-seat restaurant.

“It’s been a little more than a year since we packed up that short and sweet, summer-long Wilmer. It was fun and we needed a little break after it. Not a break from it, just a bit of time to remember why we do what we do, dream a bit and eat spaghetti. A good chunk of that time was spent tooling around the Med cooking, eating, learning, dancing, revelling,” the team explained of their inspiration in an email.

“And then we came back to Sydney and found this old nightclub on Oxford street, full of hazy memories and good times that is stinging to have some new life breathed back into it. So we’re pulling together some of the old team of legends, oiling up the pasta extruder and opening a restaurant inside these old bones.”

If that doesn’t tempt you through the door then nothing will! Of course it helps that a tantalising menu is in the works, one that has been promised to change daily. Specials from former pop-up Wilmer will also likely make an appearance, joined by dishes from the venue’s antipasti bar, ample amounts of pasta, and desserts (where sorbet and gelato will of course be included).

Don Peppino’s will open Saturday October 20. It will trade Wednesday through Saturday, from 6.00pm.

Don Peppino’s
1 Oxford Street, Paddington
Donpeppinos.com.au
@donpeppinosristorante