The Star flagship restaurant Balla set to close

Balla restaurant will serve its last vitello tonnato on Saturday July 28, with the flagship Italian restaurant at The Star set to close its doors.

Launched by Stefano Manfredi, the veteran Italian chef stepped away from Balla 18 months ago, with chef Gabriele Taddeucci guiding it to some good notices in recent times.

A spokeswoman for The Star says the Balla team will be redeployed in its other food venues.

The word on Sydney’s eat streets is a big-name independent local restaurant is headed into the site.

The Star isn’t biting, declining to confirm its incoming culinary star.

“The future plans for the space are still being ironed out. We’ll let you know when the new concept in confirmed,” she says.

Some structural work will be carried out on the restaurant site – which is well positioned with The Book of Mormon packing the neighbouring theatre.

The Star is hopeful a late 2018 date can be met for the reboot of the restaurant.