Bar Zini

A small Italian hideaway (replete with Italian staff) that knows a thing or two about la dolce vita. In the morning you will find locals knocking back coffee at the bar, the barista starting conversations with all the regulars, and people snatching a quick moment with their loved one before work. It makes the start to the day that much brighter. For breakfast I recommend the bacon and egg roll, it is rare to find a straightforward one nowadays in Sydney; runny free-range eggs, lovely smoked bacon, Turkish bread, and that’s your lot. Incidentally they do spanking good coffee right through the day. Lunch has all the pastas and salads you expect, all balanced and refreshing – definitely not the stoge some places try and pass off as Italian. Evening, however, is my favourite time of day at this joint. When the weather is warm and the air is buzzing with post-work recreation, a frosty glass of Italian white and some lightly dressed pasta is just the ticket for a civilised wind-down. Want to know what makes this even better? It’s free! Every Thursday and Friday between 5pm and 7 pm Bar Zini generously invites everyone to enjoy free aperitivo consisting of salad, pizza and pasta. If you have religiously saved ten coffee stamps the glass of wine is thrown into the bargain too! I must warn you, if you do take up this generous offer it is highly likely the dinner menu will lure you to stay for something a little more substantial. As the menu varies daily I can’t make specific recommendations but past favourites include; veal scallopine with gorgonzola sauce and spinach and some fantastic mussels with a rich tomato based sauce and soft polenta. Whatever time of day you find yourself in Bar Zini you will enjoy it.  

78 Harris St
Pyrmont NSW 2009
http://www.barzini.com.au/