Photography by Kristoffer Paulsen
Le Foote, 101 George Street, The Rocks
swillhouse.com/venues/le-foote
The brand new multi-faceted venue by Swillhouse, Le Foote, has finally opened in The Rocks. With a capacity for 425 guests, this has been a massive undertaking to restore this historic, heritage-listed ‘Phillip’s Foote’ venue.
Lello Arzedi Swillhouse Beverage Director says: “Le Foote can be described as a versatile establishment that combines elements of a restaurant, wine bar, and cocktail bar all in one. It offers a dynamic and multifaceted experience for guests.”
There are two eating areas: a lovely yet informal wine bar and a semi-outdoor formal dining area with white tablecloths and waiters wearing bow ties. The dining area is dominated by a spectacular mural constructed from specially manufactured tiles from the Italian town of Civita Castellana, evoking Europe’s famous garden restaurants. Lush flora, terracotta vases, and mid-century art will also be used to decorate the space.
We have come to expect excellence from the multi-award winning Swillhouse venues. Whether they open a rock n roll dive bar, a whisky bar in a laneway or an authentic French restaurant, they hit all the right notes. The team, headed by their longstanding management team of Anton Forte, Stefan Forte, Jordan McDonald, Toby Hilton, Anthony Moore and Allie Webb (who is also responsible for much of the artwork on the walls) have proven their quality across their venues.
Head Chef Stefano Marano (formerly the Apollo) has joined the group, bringing oodles of Mediterranean experience. They also have the delightful Eddie Murphy (formerly Restaurant Hubert) front and centre as well as Lello Arzedi who is now the Beverage Director across all the venues.
“Le Foote can be described as a versatile establishment that combines elements of a restaurant, wine bar, and cocktail bar all in one. It offers a dynamic and multifaceted experience for guests.” – Lello Arzedi Swillhouse Beverage Director
When it comes to cocktails, you can expect a diverse range of options, according to Lello. “There is a Mediterranean aspect reflected in the drink offerings, embracing the flavours, traditions, and influences of European drinking culture,” he says. “From unique takes on timeless cocktails to European wines and even some lesser-known spirits, the drink program aims to transport guests to a European-inspired setting e.g. Le Sbagliato, 2 sip martinis and our Giardano Collins.”
The wine selection at Le Foote is carefully curated, offering a variety of choices that reflect the Euro-vibe. You can expect a range of European and local wines that highlight different regions, varietals, and styles, providing a delightful experience for wine enthusiasts.
When asked how the response has been since swinging open the doors, Lello says: “As for the first week of operation, there have been several highlights. Guests have been particularly delighted by the well-crafted cocktails, the extensive wine selection, and the overall ambience of the venue. It has been a fantastic opportunity to observe and learn from the initial response and feedback, especially to our 2 sip drink offer which has been flying off the bar and our ambitious tapped Sbagliato, which will help us refine and enhance the experience moving forward.”
Always being dynamic when it comes to their venues, the team will take these opening weeks and use the lessons to tweak. “In terms of lessons learned, we have gained valuable insights regarding guest preferences, operational efficiency, and fine-tuning the overall experience,” say Lello, adding: “These lessons will guide us in further improving and optimizing Le Foote as we continue to grow and evolve.”