Bar Lola’s Italian-inspired cocktail list features classics and new concoctions. Photo: Ash St George.
Verity Lane is expanding its offering with a new retro-Italian inspired bar and restaurant on the corner of the Sydney Building.
Bar Lola will be the place for fresh pasta, Aperol spritz, a sit-down dinner and intimate, high quality service.
Verity Lane precinct head Kathryn Oplantzakis said the aim was to make full use of the corner location.
“Previously this space was used for events and overflow seating for Dear Prudence, but it didn’t have its own identity and we weren’t using it to its full potential,” she told Region.
“We took inspiration from Italian spritz and pasta bars, and we also wanted to pay homage to the heritage of the building. We have a really special space here so we wanted something a bit classic that would make the most of the heritage features.”
The sympathetic design features an old-fashioned wooden bar and small marble-topped round tables scattered around the high-ceilinged room. The interior was also inspired by the classic feminine glamor of 50s and 60s Italian film star Gina Lollobrigida, for whom Bar Lola is named.
Bar Lola’s interior draws inspiration from the heritage surrounds of the Sydney building and the vintage aesthetic of 50s and 60s Italy. Photo: Ash St George.
The level of service and experience will set Bar Lola apart from the vendors in the food hall next door.
“We still want to be very approachable. We’re offering fresh pasta at a reasonable price, so it’s not a huge jump from what you’d pay next door,” Kathryn said.
“We want to enhance the customer experience with table service and wine top-ups, but still done in a fun way.”
The menu has been designed by Precinct head chef Jessie Peddle (also responsible for internal events catering) who comes from a background in Italian restaurants.
The focus is on simple, high quality Italian food done well.
A limited range of pastas are made fresh in-house daily and are available until sold out, alongside a list of small bites (think arancini, savoury cannoli, and clams in white wine with crusty bread).
Precinct head chef Jamie Peddle is heading up the kitchen at Bar Lola. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Kathryn recommends the vodka pasta: fusilli in a rose vodka sauce, served with a whole burrata.
“It’s a bit feminine, a bit fun, and just feels very Bar Lola!”
The wine list is “unapologetically Italian”, so you can wash down your pasta with bottles of hearty Barolo or fresh, bubbly Prosecco.
The bar will also feature a list of cocktails that encompass both Italian classics and new Italian-inspired creations.
Fresh pastas are made daily in-house. Photo: Ash St George.
Bar Lola is the headline for now, but customers might spy some more renovations happening on the other side of Brew Nation.
Details are still under wraps, but it seems that a new two-storey venue is on the way for Verity Lane in the future. Stay tuned …
Bar Lola provides even more variety in the already diverse Verity Lane Precinct, offering something new for customers and another reason to head into the city.
Bar Lola is at 98 Alinga Street, corner of Alinga Street and Northbourne Avenue and is open from 5 pm until late, Wednesday to Saturday. Extended hours are planned for later in the year. Follow Bar Lola on Facebook or Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
