Orazio D’Elia is fast becoming the king of pizza in Sydney’s east. The former Da Orazio head chef introduced Matteo to Double Bay last year and now is set to launch a second incarnation of the vibrant Italian restaurant and bar to the CBD. Opening in August on Bond Street, Matteo Downtown is the latest addition to The Adored Group; a hospitality team which already mans Matteo Double Bay, The Island, The Lobo Plantation, and Kittyhawk. The hospitality group, which comprises of Adam Abrams, Orazio D’Elia, and Eddie Levy, has found such success with their first Matteo venture in Double Bay that a city space for feeding the hoards of worker bees within the district seemed the logical next step.

Inspired by the all-day dining restaurants of Milan and Rome, Matteo will be a slightly altered take on the existing Double Bay dining den. The restaurant will now cater to all hours; open for breakfast, lunch, aperitivo, dinner, and drinks late into the night. “We want to capture the essence of that big city lifestyle,” explains Abrams, “like Rome and Milan; there’s always something going on – people popping by for a drink and a snack, having a business meeting, or enjoying a long lunch that might turn into dinner or more drinks.” The menu will draw on Chef Orazio D’Elia’s traditional Italian upbringing in Southern Italy, focusing on the simple and the traditional in way of Italian fare. While Matteo Double Bay is seafood and pizza focused, Downtown will instead lean towards antipasti with a dedicated bar, and the earthier rice-based dishes of Northern Italy.

Open from 7am on weekdays, Matteo will offer a traditional Italian breakfast for visitors; guests can choose from a range of pastries, panino and Italian coffee to enjoy on-the-go or at the bar, or settle in for a heartier egg-based breakfast in the dining room. From 11am to 1pm there will be a specially designed express lunch menu available to cater to city workers. Those who are short on time can perch themselves at the bar and grab from a dozen oysters, salumi boards, portions of pasta, minute steak, or a range of paninis and focaccias topped with fresh Italian produce. Dinner is a different story; designed to be savoured is a menu of hearty dishes from a squid ink fregola to a traditional osso bucco with saffron risotto. It’s Matteo Downtown’s take on the traditional Aperitivo that is the real stand-out; taking place from 4-6pm on weekdays, the event will allow guests to gather at the bar to sip on a selection of wine, beer, seasonal spritz, and Negroni, accompanied by complimentary snacks delivered on roaming trays; from pizzette to octopus bites and fried school prawns.

Leading architecture and interiors firm, Acme & Co, has designed the new city space. As a result of its multi-purpose nature, the venue offers plenty of variety when it comes to its interiors. The bar will be framed by an eye-catching installation of forty-four works of art curated by Australian artist Daimon Downey, the dining room will be shaped around the open kitchen, and the open terrace for alfresco dining and drinks has been designed in ode to Milan’s bustling piazzas. Matteo Downtown, 20 Bond Street, Sydney, matteosydney.com.