Sydney’s Newest Italian Restaurant Il Pontile Is Hosting a Melbourne Cup Lunch to Remember

Il Pontile restaurant — Image: Courtesy of Il Pontile

Heads up to all lovers of glitz, glamour and great food. Sydney’s newest Italian fine dining restaurant, Il Pontile, is hosting a much-anticipated day of festivities for the iconic Melbourne Cup.

In keeping with the prestige of its stunning waterside location on the Finger Wharf, Il Pontile will be celebrating race day in peak style and luxury, with free-flowing champagne, a four-course Spring menu and live viewing of the sprint.

Keep scrolling for more details on the event as well as Sydney’s newest player in fine dining, Il Pontile.

Il Pontile’s Melbourne Cup Lunch

The festivities are set to kick off from 12 noon on the 2nd of November with a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne on arrival.

Guests will then sit down to a four-course Spring menu, lovingly crafted by Il Pontile’s renowned head chef, Mario Percuoco.

At 3 pm, amidst a long-overdue afternoon carousing and camaraderie, guests will be treated to a hi-fi live viewing of the Melbourne Cup’s nation-stopping main event.

Il Pontile’s Melbourne Cup Menu

Il Pontile’s specially curated Melbourne Cup menu is the perfect culmination of Chef Mario Percuoco’s Neapolitan roots and Sydney’s Springtime appetite for fresh seafood and vibrant flavours.

The four-course set menu starts strong, with an opening course of fresh oysters accompanied by zucchini flowers and the Southern Italian favourite, octopus salad.

Next up is a dynamic duo of pasta dishes that seem to play on the contrasting energies of Cup day itself: A carefree, sun-drenched affair, represented by the subtle and light Paccheri with a creamy zucchini and provolone-based sauce Nerano, juxtaposed with the heady and exciting final moments before the race, as reflected by the rich and punchy Rigatoni alla Genovese made with slow-cooked meats and red wine.

The main course is chosen according to the appetites of the guests, with an indulgent medallion of pistachio encrusted tuna, or a power-lunch classic of eye fillet steak, both accompanied by a verdant mixed-leaf salad.

The day’s indulgence is wrapped up with another difficult decision to be made between a stunning Franciacorta-infused tiramisu, or a traditional sfogliatelle Napoletane, bound to be a crumbly crowd-pleaser if anything.

Want to Learn More?

If all this does the job to whet your appetite for fine Italian food, be sure to check out Il Pontile’s website for the complete menu, information on the incredible wharf-side venue as well as all reservation resources.

We’re sure it’s going to be a cracking time down at Il Pontile this Melbourne Cup day.

Want to learn more? Click here for details.