Vin-Cenzo’s - Darlinghurst
Eat Here! Stories from my favourite tables around town…
Striking the perfect balance between new and nostalgic,
Vin-Cenzo’s is an Italian restaurant in Darlinghurst with serious flair. It’s quirky and not afraid to have fun – something that shines through in the conversations, the playful crockery and decor. The food is incredible, the service seamless and the atmosphere is friendly, warm and inviting.
Located on a corner in Darlinghurst, Vin-Cenzo's announces itself with a neon-red sign that glows above the door, drawing you in from down the street. Step through the arched doorway and you're immediately immersed in the cheerful babble of happy diners, crisp white tablecloths, burgundy booths and vintage posters.
A cut-away in the wall frames the kitchen, where you can watch the gaggle of chefs perfecting dishes, communicating in precise movements with a language only they understand.
The atmosphere feels electric–perhaps because it's still the early weeks since the Bar Copains team took over the beloved Bar Vincent space and reopened as Vin-Cenzo's. While they pay homage to their predecessor, what they've brought to the table feels genuinely fresh and exciting.
Vin-Cenzo's stays true to its Italian roots with classics done exceptionally well, but there's a playful thread running through each dish. I've put together a selection of my favourite dishes and the delightful serving accoutrements that made this such a memorable dining experience.
6 Must-Try Dishes at Vin-Cenzo’s -
Start with…
I love starting a meal with fresh fish (usually a crudo or ceviche) so the Crudo di Tonno Pane Carasau was first on our list. I was pleasantly surprised by what arrived. Instead of thin slices of fish, the dish came plated as a tartare: finely chopped tuna, shallots and herbs, topped with creamy tonnato dressing and a dash of pepper, arranged in a neat circle just waiting to be tossed together. A crispy Sardinian cracker acts as your spoon, perfect for scooping.
Alongside the crudo, we ordered the buffalo mozzarella with fire-roasted peppers and the Melanzana Norma – a slightly unassuming dish where all you can see are layers dusted with cheese and large basil leaves. Cut through the rounds of perfectly cooked eggplant and you'll discover sweet tomato jam and salted ricotta to balance it all out. Delicious!
Continue with…
Vin-Cenzo's mains are split into a selection of pastas and large plates. While all the large plates sounded delicious and quite substantial, the pastas were impossible to pass up, so we decided to order two of those and save room for dessert – and I’m so glad we did.
My favourite dish of the night was the Agnolotti con Pollo e Mortadella, a dish that pays homage to Bar Vincent's sharing-style pastas. Served in a sparkling white tureen, the silky parcels of dough float in a fragrant, clear broth. From the first bite, I was sold. Instead of a classic filling, salty mortadella and roasted chicken are combined with incredible finesse, rendering the dish beautifully balanced, rich yet never cloyingly heavy. It's something I could imagine eating day after day, and I spooned every bit of broth from the bowl until not a drop remained.
The second pasta was just as wonderful, but a little more indulgent. Ravioli con Zucca e Salvia, or pumpkin and pecorino ravioli served in an unctuous sage and butter sauce. Eliciting immediate delight was the pumpkin-shaped dish the ravioli appeared in, where the lid lifted to reveal steaming pillows coated in the sauce. The soft, sweet pumpkin went beautifully with the buttery emulsion, leaving little to do but sigh with pleasure after the last mouthful.
Finish with…
Now, you know I'm such a chocolate girl when it comes to desserts, but we saw someone order the Crostata al Limone and couldn't resist. This Amalfi lemon tart truly brought the sunshine, sitting perfectly on a patterned plate next to a cloud of vanilla cream. The brûléed top and rustic pastry added a textural and flavour contrast to the creamy custard filling, while the cold vanilla cream balanced the tart lemon with ease.
I couldn't resist the Biscotti Misti Italiani, simply described as a plate of Italian biscuits on the menu. What arrived was a nostalgic biscuit tin, with four exquisite handmade biscuits nestled on baking paper inside. My bounty included a crunchy hazelnut meringue, an icing sugar-dusted ring with a raspberry jam heart, a Tricolore biscuit inspired by the Italian flag with its signature red, white and green colours, and my favourite: a buttery sandwich cookie filled with rich chocolate ganache. Chocolate cravings fulfilled, it was time to head home for a good night's sleep, the kind that follows a truly wonderful meal.
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