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28 August, 2024

Grana Privato at heritage-listed Hinchcliff House opens entire top floor for special events

Edited by Travel Weekly

House Made Hospitality has introduced Grana Privato, a versatile private dining space occupying level two of Hinchliff House within Circular Quay’s Quay Quarter.

Expanding on the success of Grana, its CBD Italian eatery, House Made Hospitality’s Grana Privato is designed to accommodate both smaller groups and larger gatherings of up to 90 guests for a sunlit lunch or a dinner by candlelight.

Created to manage the overflow of large group bookings and private dining requests that Grana can’t always accommodate, the 250sqm Grana Privato spans the entire top floor of the heritage-listed Hinchcliff House, where diners are treated to a bespoke experience that feels both memorable and personal.

“We wanted to create a dining space that delivers the exclusivity necessary for larger groups, without compromising on the restaurant experience,” House Made Hospitality director Scott Brown said.

“At Grana Privato, guests can indulge in all the signature elements that define Grana – our Italian-inspired cuisine, a curated selection of wines from both renowned and up-and-coming Australian and Italian producers, and our attentive service – enhanced by the added advantage of a private kitchen, bar, and bathrooms. The Grana Privato experience offers a unique blend of privacy and exceptional value.”

There are three set menus, $79, $94, and $119pp with drinks packages starting at $59pp. With the venue hire fee removed, a group of 30 could book Grana Privato from just $138pp.

“We’ve eliminated some of the usual costs associated with private dining, making an exclusive restaurant experience more accessible,” Brown said.

“We think it’s a concept that will resonate, especially at a time when people are keen to celebrate birthdays and special occasions while keeping an eye on their budgets.”

The Italian-influenced group dining menus, crafted by Grana’s newly appointed executive chef Cam Bailey-whose experience includes working alongside Hamish Ingham at The Woods in the Four Seasons Hotel and time spent at Michelin-starred Wild Honey in Mayfair, London-showcase simple, sustainable, and locally sourced ingredients.

Start with dishes such as stracciatella with rhubarb, basil, pomegranate, and hazelnut, or citrus-glazed king prawns with smoked black pepper aioli, gremolata, and lemon, before a pasta course of saffron gigli with duck ragu, nduja butter, pistachio, and pangrattato, or capelli with broccoli, lemon, and chili.

Main courses may feature glazed lamb shoulder with chilli and garlic Roman beans; grain-fed scotch fillet tagliata with jus and charred salsa verde; and pork cotoletta with mustard crema and slow-cooked missile apple, paired with Dutch cream potatoes with crispy cippolini onions and sour cream, and crispy Brussels sprouts with white peas and spicy agrodolce.

For dessert, you might find Grana’s tiramisu, passionfruit and yuzu cannolo, or toasted coconut semifreddo with passionfruit, rockmelon granita and lemon balm. Additional courses are also available for those seeking upgrades.

All the furniture is included at no extra cost, so you can look forward to dining at long tables, surrounded by the warmth of exposed bricks and wooden beams.

Brown expects the space to attract groups looking for a private dining venue from Friday to Sunday, when minimum spends at restaurants typically peak, as well as appealing to corporate clients.

“In addition to the restaurant setting, we offer high tables and stools, allowing us to section off the venue and create a more relaxed, intimate space where guests can enjoy a cocktail, either before or after their meal,” said Brown.

“The idea of a private restaurant alongside an existing one is uncommon in Sydney, but we believe it brings incredible versatility. It’s an affordable solution for group dining that doesn’t compromise on quality or service, which is a rare find.”

Grana Privato is available for bookings seven days a week, offering lunch and dinner options for groups ranging from 25 to 90 guests. The Level Two space also accommodates other events, including cocktail functions and brand launches.

Guests dining at Grana Privato will be subject to the standard 10 per cent service charge, which applies to all group bookings across House Made Hospitality. Bookings are now being taken.

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