Tapavino spin-off to open in Sydney CBD

Circular Quay sherry bar and Spanish wine specialist, Tapavino, will join the push into Bligh Street with a spin-off venue, a new restaurant-wine bar.

A DA lodged with the City of Sydney has the venue sliding into a 400 square metre space on a city strip that already has Rockpool Bar & Grill at one end and the owners of Baxter Inn poised to open a 150-seat restaurant, Hubert, next January.

"Yes, it'll open next March and be called Balcon by Tapavino," confirmed Tapavino owner Frank Dilernia​.

"[The] menu will focus on the rustic and also the refined dishes coming out of the North of Spain. I've always been a firm believer that no one does casual dining like the Spaniards, but we can't forget that Spanish chefs and restaurants have also been at the forefront of the refined-food-movement for many years now," Dilernia says.

Tired of turning away customers from his original venue, Dilernia says the focus will remain on Spanish wines and drinks.

Balcon by Tapavino will include a private dining room and a yet-to-be-confirmed chef from Spain. "There is a certain vibe to the way Spaniards eat and drink that is unsurpassed in its simplicity, fun and sense of occasion," Dilernia says.