The flavours of Rome are set to descend on Sydney’s east when dedicated cucina Romana MARTA opens its doors on October 10. The new restaurant replaces Popolo, which sat in the McLachlan Avenue space for the past five years.

Popolo owner and operator Flavio Carnevale is in charge of the venture, which had a strong direction from the start. “When we envisioned MARTA, we honed in on that Roman piazza feeling where everybody knows everybody,” explains Flavio. “We were looking at sites in the city for MARTA, but our concept kept bringing us back to Rushcutters Bay. It became an obvious fit.”

But MARTA will be a markedly different shift in cuisine from Popolo, with the restaurant focusing on Roman rather than Southern Italian fare. The eatery has been inspired by the vibrant Roman osterias, and Flavio’s experiences in Roman hospitality over his 10-year residency in the city.

You’ll find within a menu that reflects the melting pot of Italian history and Jewish influence that is Rome, touched by the leadership of head chef Christuan Jordaan. Dishes include the likes of Carciofo alla Giudia (fried globe artichokes), wood-fired Roman pizza, and a particularly indulgent Crostata di ricotta e visciole (baked ricotta sour cherry tart). A Roman-focused wine list is set to accompany, including the biodynamic and the organic, as well as a range of spirits for those who prefer a spritz with their dinner.

The space’s revamp has also been a physical one, with Melbourne’s DesignOffice taking care of the aesthetics. A mix of leather, oak and green marble is integrated throughout the restaurant, which hosts a range of different seating options – from communal table to bar tables and an intimate courtyard.

“We wanted to capture the confidence and energy of Roman restaurants,” says designer Mark Simpson of the new design.“The interior has been opened up and layered with a fresh, textural and tactile palette punctuated with accents in black and olive green. One of the major new features is a beautiful oak-topped high bench lined with forest green Italian marble, which faces the leafy piazza.”