This trendy trattoria brings new meaning to being resourceful, converting a shipping container into a wine bar.
A Surry Hills realtor would describe Vini's bar as "petit" or "cosy", which as those who've battled Sydney's apartment war know, means freakishly tiny. If you've found yourself in this converted shipping container (no, really), it's probably because you're waiting for a table in the front restaurant, and if you're not, you should be.
The mod-Italian kitchen is headed up by Andrew Cibej, formerly of Tetsuyas. The menu is simple, thought-out and revolves around available produce - salumi this, crostini that. The dining room is warm, no-fuss and similarly intimate - so maybe watch your dinner conversation, lest you offend a nearby diner.
For those just dropping in for a quiet drink, you'll find the pint-sized wine bar lurking in the back, at the end of a few narrow twists and turns, opening up to a few small tables and a windowside bench seat made for four (or perhaps three, if you're a frequent diner). The wine list is appropriately made up entirely of Italian plonk, with more than 20 vino varieties available by the glass.
Claire Ward
