About
Two bartenders from Dante's World's Best Bar years opened their first restaurant, a coastal Italian aperitivo bar with a courtyard garden. Weekend brunch begins this month.
Willem Hock and Lukas Canan spent years behind the bar at Dante while it held the title of World's Best Bar, and Recente is the first place that is actually theirs. The cooking is coastal Italian by way of Sydney, with Icebergs veteran Monty Koludrovic consulting on pappardelle with XO oxtail ragu and fritto misto. Weekend brunch starts this month, in the courtyard garden.
What to expect
Drinks are the point of origin here - start with an aperitivo or a spritz before you look at the food menu. Ask for the 30-seat courtyard garden if the weather holds; it is the best seat in the building and a rarity on Second Avenue. Weekend brunch service is new as of September, so it is worth confirming when you book.
Good to know
- Book on Resy. There are three distinct areas: dining room, courtyard garden and sidewalk cafe.
- Weekend brunch launches in September - confirm the service is running when you reserve.
- The bar keeps late-night hours, so it works as a nightcap stop as well as a dinner.
Common questions
Who is behind it?
Cocktail veterans Willem Hock and Lukas Canan, who worked at Dante during its World's Best Bar run, with Sydney chef Monty Koludrovic consulting on the food.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes - a 30-seat courtyard garden plus a 16-seat sidewalk cafe, alongside the 60-seat indoor dining room and bar.
Can I go for brunch?
Weekend brunch is due to start in September. Dinner and late-night service have been running since it opened in mid-August.