Grill Americano’s beloved tableside tiramisù is set to make its way to Sydney this spring, as veteran restaurateur Chris Lucas announces he will open a Sydney outpost of the popular Melbourne grill on 19 November.
The Sydney version promises to scale up the Melbourne offering that opened in 2022, with a menu developed by executive chef Vincenzo Ursini (who has led Grill Americano Melbourne since mid-2024) and Lucas Collective’s head of culinary, Damian Snell.
Grill Americano Sydney will take residence in the historic Qantas House building, known as No. 1 Chifley Square. “I love historical buildings,” Lucas tells Gourmet Traveller. “Chifley was the tallest building when it was built in the ’50s, and Qantas House was the original headquarters for Qantas.”
The CBD restaurant will seat 160 people, with two private dining rooms and a bar for 60 people. Like the Melbourne original, it will take cues from the great eating cities around the world. “We call it an Italian-Venetian style restaurant with a bit of a New York vibe to it,” explains Lucas.
While sharing dishes that capture the original Grill Americano experience, the team has tailored new stars for the Sydney crowd — think prawn panzerotto with caviar; Sicilian-style seafood risotto with saffron and chilli, and a dedicated raw bar taking care of oysters, crustaceans and a daily crudo selection.
The Josper grill and wood-fired oven, both centrally positioned in the open kitchen, will fire up all manner of steaks, vegetables and seafood, but prime beef cuts (including an Angus Chateaubriand and a 700-gram Chauvel wagyu striploin) will be the main star of the show, following the same signature preparation method as in Melbourne.
“We take our steaks, we marinate them in olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and oregano. They sit in there for two days, like the Italians do. After we’ve grilled it, we brush it with a little bit more olive oil and a touch of lemon,” says Lucas.
An array of pastas, devised by chef Simone Giorgianni (who’s led the pasta program at the Melbourne restaurant since its opening), will be formed on site daily, hitting plates as buffalo ricotta ravioli or lobster tortellini finished in Sauce Américaine. One staple that’s guaranteed to make the move to Sydney is the tiramisù Americano, scooped tableside.
Master Sommelier Paolo Saccone’s extensive wine list will be joined by classic cocktails, including an homage to the Bellini: a tribute to its home at Harry’s Bar, which is Lucas’s favourite venue in Venice.
Making use of the site’s soaring ceilings and expansive street-facing windows, the opulent interiors will incorporate the Melbourne outpost’s signature blue velvet banquettes and a 30-metre-long marble bar.
Grill Americano will mark the second Sydney venture for Lucas Collective, following the arrival of Chin Chin to Surry Hills in 2017. Together with his wife and design collaborator, Sarah, Lucas operates one of Australia’s most established restaurant groups, comprising 11 brands over four cities.
Bookings for Grill Americano Sydney open in mid-October.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Blackbird has officially flown south
