Marque restaurant site to take an Italian turn

• Mark Best to close Marque restaurant

Landmark Sydney restaurant Marque is set to take a culinary turn in the direction of Italy. Pilu at Freshwasher head chef Matteo Zamboni has purchased the restaurant site and will open an Italian restaurant there in late August.

Zamboni is overseas and unavailable for comment, but current employer Giovanni Pilu described the chef as strong in the kitchen and well organised.

"His background is Michelin star restaurants. He's worked at some really good places, like La Pergola in Rome," Pilu says.

A name for the new restaurant hasn't been revealed, but those familiar with the plans believe it won't try and follow Marque's lead into the upper end dining. Zamboni was raised in Brescia, so expect regional specialties to lean in that direction.

With Besser Italian next door, the strip of Crown Street is developing an Italian flavour. Marque owner-chef Mark Best called time at the restaurant to concentrate on his Pei Modern eateries and overseas projects.

A sale price wasn't revealed, but Marque was listed by broker Michael Fischer & Associates for $110,000.