The Wine Bar.

At the heart of the design and menu is the Marana Forni oven, chosen not only for its performance but also for its aesthetic qualities. Its retro form and striking profile provide a natural complement to the mid-century–meets-postmodernist interior palette, while its Italian heritage underscores the international/Italian wine bar sensibility of the menu.

From a functional standpoint, the oven has elevated service by ensuring consistency, speed, and quality across a busy kitchen. It allows the team to execute a menu that leans into European traditions while meeting the operational demands of a high-volume Sydney venue.

The result is a space where design and culinary performance converge, with the Marana Forni oven serving as both a visual anchor and a practical engine for The Wine Bar’s offering.

Hewett drew inspiration for the space from an unexpected source: images she found of the office of longstanding MLC Centre tenant and former Prime Minister, The Hon. John Howard AC.

“He has been in the building for some time and his office was a kind of touchstone for The Wine Bar,” says Hewett. “We referenced the timber cladding, vibrantly hued carpet, and elegant simplicity – it’s a warm, clubby space that transports you. Almost as much as the incredible international wine list you will be drinking from.”