Country Meets City at Cucina di Lusso by Lauren
www.thesydneytraveler.com 6 January 2008
"Cucina di Lusso brings all the charm of the country to inner city Sydney.
This Italian restaurant is the Sydney arm of di Lusso Estate, a winery based in Mudgee. The kitchen utilises the winery’s exquisite wine and fresh produce, which includes olives, olive oils, and figs.
Like many country establishments, Cucina di Lusso is a family affair. Robert Fairall is the owner and sommelier, son James is the head chef, and daughter Jo is the barista and front-of-house manager.
The family is influenced by the traditional cucina alto borghese style of cooking. While it was popular with the Italian upper class, it is not pretentious fine dining. Instead, you will find the menu to be simple, utilising the best seasonal produce." Full article
Cucina di Lusso by Amy Looker
Best Restaurants September 2007
"Take a culinary tour of Italy and Mudgee from the stylish surrounds of this Glebe restaurant, Cucina di Lusso.
There is more to this restaurant than simply stunning food and superb wines from di Lusso Estate, the Mudgee based winery from which the restaurant was born. For starters the owner of Cucina di Lusso, Robert Fairall, doesn’t want you to leave with only a sated appetite when you walk out the door after your meal (though trust me, sated you will be). Robert hopes that you leave with a sense of curiosity sparked inside you, a curiosity for “alto borghese”, the style of cuisine that the Italian aristocracy dined upon and that Cucina di Lusso recreates so well." Full article
Cucina di Lusso by Simon Thomsen
Sydney Morning Herald 11 September 2007
"There's an ad on telly flogging a 4WD's versatility. As the behemoth turns a corner, the scene drops away like a stage drape as it switches from skyscrapers to bush, then back again. One of those scenes would be handy for Mudgee vigneron and budding Sydney restaurateur Rob Fairall.
I'd wrap the view from his country winery, di Lusso, around Cucina di Lusso, his Italian trattoria. It's close to public transport, to use an optimistic real estate agent's jargon. You might call it the din and smell of Parramatta Road.
Fairfall, a South African economist and fervent Italophile, helps run the floor with daughter Jo, while son James plates confident fare packed with colour and flavour. Dad's dream is for Cucina di Lusso to become a typical Italian enoteca-style bar and city cellar door for his wines…" Full article
Rustic, high-class treats by Sarah Blake
Sunday Telegraph 09 September 2007
"I'LL send my dad over with the wine, my sister will look after dessert and I'll take your plates,'' says the affable young chef at this ambitious new inner suburban eatery.
Cucina di Lusso is the latest in a burgeoning restaurant scene that is happily riding the coat-tails of the City of Sydney's $15 million upgrade of the Glebe streetscape, but it is far more than just another family-run Italian restaurant.
With a focus on "cucina alto borghese'', historically the cooking of Italy's gentry, much of the fare - and matching Italian varietal wines - is sourced from owner Robert Fairall's di Lusso estate in Mudgee…" Full article
Cucina di Lusso
University Hall
Cnr Glebe Point Road & Parramatta Road
Glebe Sydney
02 9660 7555
Lunch
Tuesday – Friday
12.00pm to 3.00pm
Dinner
Tuesday – Saturday
6.00pm to 9.30pm
Wine Bar and Tastings
Tuesday - Saturday
5.00pm to 10.30pm
We're open for group functions wth over 20 people any day, any night!
Visit
di Lusso Estate Mudgee
Premium Australian wines that reflect the spirit of Italy.