About Vicini
Vicini is the dream of Natalie Keon and George Hatzimihail, industry veterans with over 20 years experience each. Locals for 8 years, Natalie and George live a stones throw down Nelson St with their beautiful children Paris and Harley. Natalie and George previously owned Palate Restaurant in Darlinghurst and Mars Lounge in Surry Hills together. George has had a long career in hospitality management, and his tenure includes stints at Rockpool, Wockpool, CBD, and Salt restaurants. George spent the first 25 years of his life in Annandale, and remembers the Vicini building as his local butcher. As the saying goes, the space truly has "good bones"! Natalie has also had an extensive management career spanning venues such as the MCA Cafe for The Rockpool Group, The Palace Hotel in Darlinghurst, Tabou restaurant and Manta Ray in Wooloomooloo.
Brett Jeffrey is our calm, consistent and wonderful Head Chef. Brett trained at Somerset Cottage in Tuaranga, New Zealand before moving to Sydney 8 years ago. He built a loyal following at Cafe Nikki in Surry Hills before joining Vicini as sous chef and part of our opening team. Brett's passion for cooking and attention to detail and have us very excited about our winter menus! We source our own fresh seasonal produce from the markets twice a week to Brett's specifications, and the food at Vicini is invigorated by his vision.
Our dedicated warm and wonderful staff share a common love of food, wine and a commitment to customer service
Vicini was a finalist for Best New Business, Best Cafe and Best Formal Dining in The Glebe True Local Business Awards in 2008. We were also a finalist for Best Pizza Restaurant in the Restaurant and Catering NSW Awards in 2008 and 2009. We received a great review and a respectable score in The SMH Good Food Guide 2008, and were included amongst "10 of the Best" pizza restaurants in NSW. This year we were recognised once again in the Guide as one of Sydney's "Global Gems". So a big THANK YOU to all our loyal customers and staff who have made this happen for us- we could not be prouder!
Here are some comments from our happy customers:
Many thanks for the fabulous and fun afternoon we spent at Vicini. It was a great success and the food was delicious. A very fond and memorable family occasion
Gavin June 2010
Thank you so much for making my birthday lunch so wonderful. Everyone said how gorgeous the food was, the room, the fire and especially Stephanie, who looked after us so well. Quietly and unobtrusively, yet always on hand. I really appreciated that you allowed us all to have such a fabulous time. It was exactly what I wanted! I shall be back
Benita June 2010
Robert and I would like to thank you and the staff for our sons christening party on the 7th February. The food and service was great and thank you for going over and above by providing us with fans on what was a very hot weekend. I also heard afterwards how you accommodated for some of the guests painful requests! Thank you and we hope to be dining again soon when our bubs give us the chance."
Robert, Susan, Zara & Jonah February 2009
"Thanks for a great night last night. It's like coming to your home - the perfect antidote to those massive, noisy restaurants we all hate. Delicious food (we all thought the gnocchi was a close first), and great service."
Paul & Greg February 2009
"Thank you for facilitating such a pleasant day and christening celebration...The food was wonderful and the service faultless and ran so smoothly. You certainly took any stress away from it for us and I really appreciate all your help. I look forward to coming in again soon and I will definitely highly recommend your restaurant to others"
Suzanna June 2008
"Thank you for the wonderful hospitality and of course superior food, service and atmosphere. Our visits to Vicini were the culinary highlight of the trip to Australia. Your restaurant is wonderful..."
Charlie and Gail July 2008
"Thanks so much for making our big day so great. For us it was ....about having a more intimate experience. the sharing of a meal with just the close friends and family, to celebrate our marriage. It was perfect.
From the great service and fantastic food enjoyed by all, to the little touches like the decorative menus,checking the nervous groom's glass was topped up. The clean and neat bathrooms. The split serving of guests with hungry children. The discreet disposing of a soiled nappy. And the well beaten path by George up the road to get more supplies. These to name a few. This all done with apparent ease despite commitments to a second sitting that evening and a function the following day. Well done and thank you!"
Love Michelle & Anton July 2008