Nic Wong joins CicciaBella as Mitch Orr departs

The departure last week of chef Mitch Orr after just a year at CicciaBella has opened the door for former Ester and Apollo chef Nic Wong to showcase his talent.

Orr joined the Bondi restaurant after the closure of his one-hatter eatery, ACME in Rushcutters Bay. CicciaBella's reboot under Wong has been well received by locals, with a seat a hot ticket in Bondi in recent days.

There's a strong emphasis on the wood-fired oven, with nine dishes – sardines, king prawns with caper butter and bistecca alla fiorentina included – feeling its heat.

And you can throw in a wine list from James Hird and drinks program from Scout's British import Matt Whiley.