Will Maurice Terzini bring Icebergs to the Opera House?

Opera lovers know it isn't over until the fat lady sings, and the already star-studded list vying for the Guillaume at Bennelong restaurant site at the Sydney Opera House has a late contender.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar owner Maurice Terzini confirms he has lodged a tender for the site.

Terzini opened the seminal Caffe e Cucina in Melbourne in the 1980s before relocating to Sydney, where he launched Otto Ristorante at Woolloomooloo, then Icebergs. He is also experienced at the accessible end of the market and is set to open an affordable eatery in Bondi later this year, which will please the Opera House powerbrokers keen on a bistro-style operation.

Terzini is up against some big food names. Sydney's king of the ricotta hotcake Bill Granger and Melbourne waterside venue Stokehouse are both in the running, although Shannon Bennett, the Melbourne chef behind Vue de Monde, is believed to have cooled on the idea of a Sydney play.

Terzini refuses to reveal details of his bid, but confirms there is a strong music element to his tender.

Operator Guillaume Brahimi declined to re-tender for the site after the Opera House stated its preference for a bistro-style operation. His upmarket Guillaume at Bennelong restaurant will close at the end of the year.

An announcement on who will take the space is expected in coming months.