23 November 2011

Jamie's Italian by peckvonhartel

An iconic narrow site in Sydney's CBD has become home to chef Jamie Oliver's flagship Australian restaurant.

Formerly a live music venue, this narrow industrial space on Sydney's Pitt Street has been transformed into the latest in Jamie Oliver's 'Jamie's Italian' restaurant chain - the second venue outside of the UK.

The interior design team from peckvonhartel used the width of the space to their advantage, taking inspiration from laneway culture. Natural materials, earthy tiles and brightly coloured leathers feature alongside blackened steel and burnished coppers.

Much of the furniture was sourced from local salvage yards, giving the space an eclectic, mix-and-matched feel.

A pasta preparation station greets visitors on entry to the restaurant, with Oliver's ubiquitous pasta machine on full display.

The adjacent bar features tiles sourced from around the world. A giant tiered chandelier, weighing 150kg and visible from the street, hangs overhead.

The kitchen design is in keeping with the Jamie's Italian formula. A laneway dining area links the kitchen and bar, a fuchsia and sage green leather banquette providing a stark contrast to the accompanying timber tables.

On the mezzanine level is an antipasto bar allowing diners to watch chefs slice and prepare their food.