A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE OLD LIBRARY, NOW CRONULLA’S MOST EXCEPTIONAL RESTAURANT & BAR AND A HOT NEW DINING DESTINATION FOR SYDNEY
“Cronulla has never seen the likes of this before,” says restaurateur Mario Kalpou of his freshly opened restaurant and bar, The Old Library. Patrons have already been flocking to The Old Library, not just from The Shire but from all over Sydney. Word of mouth is spreading the news about this unique dining experience that’s sophisticated yet welcoming, the delicious Modern Italian food, the hip, relaxing bar, and the space that’s stylish but also designed with a playful and quirky sense of humour.
For the past two years The Old Library has been the labour of love for Mario Kalpou, who has overseen the finest detail through to the big picture of this million-dollar ‘baby’. In creating The Old Library, Kalpou’s credo could well be ‘only the best’, with his insistence on the finest quality everything, and collaborating with the most outstanding professionals in their field.
In the refurbishment of the building, which dates from 1908 – originally a Methodist church and converted to a library in the 1970s – Kalpou worked with acclaimed, award winning interior designers Hecker Guthrie (Ivy, The Millswyn, Grace, The Public Dining Room…). The brief, which has been beautifully realised, was to merge the old with the new, and break up the interior without losing the sense of space. To Kalpou, it was also vital to incorporate a library theme without being clichéd. This has been achieved with clever, witty touches such as the bookshelf paintings, and in the menu where the courses are renamed with bookish twists such as ‘foreword’ for entrée, and the bar menu (created by Sarah Robinson with Mario Kalpou) presented in chapters 1 to 5.
Kalpou has brought in celebrity chef Danny Russo, a multi ‘hat’ awardee in the prestigious Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards, and his long-time culinary partner, chef David McGill. Together they create traditional Italian dishes in a modern style. “It’s contemporary without compromising the integrity of the cucina,” explains Kalpou. Signature dishes include: roast figs, prosciutto, goats cheese and truffle honey; braised and pressed lamb shoulder, eggplant, zucchini and anchoiade; and almond milk panna cotta, lavender, strawberries and meringue.
Renowned Sydney sommelier Nick Caraturo has created an extensive wine list that offers a superb selection of Italian wine. In the spirit of fun that is part of The Old Library’s character, the high-end wines on the wine list are headed: “how much do you love her?”. Patrons may also choose from an amazing selection of cocktails, aperitifs and digestive beverages. The bar is a destination in its own right, where you can come by for a cocktail, beer or glass of wine to enjoy with one of The Old Library’s delectable social plates.
“For me the most appealing part of The Old Library is its quirkiness. I love that there is so much character and history in the space yet it has a great deal of flair about it,” Kalpou enthuses. “We want to make our patrons feel special but not intimidated, and most of all have fun,” he adds.
FACT FILE – THE OLD LIBRARY RESTAURANT & BAR • Owner and creator, restaurateur Mario Kalpou • Interior design by Hecker Guthrie with additional finishing touches by top stylist Sibella Court. • Floorboards in American Oak, Boyac upholstery, Bellini chairs, tables designed by Mario Kalpou and hand-made locally from American Oak, bar made from marble Smartstone. • Additional finishing touches by top stylist Sibella Court who sourced animal heads by London artist Lucie McCann, Armadillo rugs, Hugh Ford bookshelf paintings. • Chefs – Danny Russo and David McGill who have been a successful culinary duo for many years. • Sommelier – Nick Caraturo • Bar menu created by Sarah Robinson and Mario Kalpou • Materials and furnishings: floorboards in American Oak, Boyac upholstery, Bellini chairs, tables designed by Mario Kalpou and hand-made locally from American Oak, bar made from Smartstone, Armadillo rugs, lighting by Jim Lawrence in the UK, and Great Dane. • Artworks: ceramic animal heads by London artist Lucie McCann, bookshelf paintings by Sydney artist Hugh Ford. • 15 Surf Rd, Cronulla, NSW, (02) 9544 5360 • Open Thursday to Sunday, midday ‘til late
