Rocafelas

“If everyone’s going to evacuate and be scared of the area, I’m staying in,” declares Rocko Tozzi. He’s got more right than most to sound cocky: he’s the son of Kings Cross hospitality royalty – Antonello Tozzi – owner of Sugareef from the mid-90s. Co-owner with Nate Johnson, their winning formula is to update and offer new, inexpensive ways of eating and drinking all the way up to the city’s new witching hour: 3am. Expect a loosely 70s-themed Italian red-sauce diner. The roof looks like a scene from American Beauty; the walls bear screen sirens Brigitte Bardot and Sophia ‘everything you see I owe to spaghetti’ Loren, plus a helpful organisational chart of New York Mafioso. There are nooks, crannies, nods to skate culture, and rock’n’roll; plus another of Alex Lehours artworks subtly pushing you at their bootleg Stolen ‘Coffee and Cigarettes’ Spiced Rum Dark & Stormy ($14). Tasty Meatballs ($14) with rich tomato sauce and crusty bread beg for Mulo ($16) – basically vodka, ginger and Ramazzotti – an aperitif with a Chinotto-type edge. Kick on with wines, tinnies and longnecks in paper bags; all suited to simple standout pizzas like Pollo ($16) with grilled chicken, avocado and mozzarella, and light’n’bright pastas like Capelli D’Angelo ($16) angel hair with rocket, chilli oil and Parma prosciutto.

Rocafelas
1 Kellett Street, Potts Point
Ph: (02) 9360 0260 rocafelas.com.au
Italian, Pizza, Cocktails $-$$