Rising hospitality star snaps up Bills 2 for Caffe Bartolo

A who's who of Sydney food and drink operators circled the former Surry Hills home of Bills following owner Bill Granger's decision to decamp next door to the one-time site of Marque restaurant. But it's one of Sydney hospitality's rising stars, Jared Merlino, who has emerged triumphant.

Merlino, co-owner in a string of successful Sydney start-ups, including Big Poppa's, Kittyhawk and Lobo Plantation, will open Caffe Bartolo in the Crown Street building in October. "It's named after my great-grandfather, who came from Lipari," he says.

He has drafted bar star Grazia Di Franco as creative director, and while that will guarantee good lineage on the drinks side, Merlino is also aiming for a solid food pedigree. "It'll be an all-day space with coffee and drinks all day. None of my venues do breakfast or brunch, so I'm excited by that."

With Eugenio Maiale's Flour Eggs Water and the Maurice Terzini-led Dolphin Hotel on the same strip, Caffe Bartolo's arrival will strengthen the area's reputation as an emerging Little Italy.

Bills will close at 359 Crown Street on July 29 and is tipped to reopen at No. 355 on August 3.