Nico

Looking to escape to the Amalfi Coast without leaving Sydney's North Shore? Spend an evening dining at Nico - it's the closest you'll get to Italy this week without a passport.

With a buzzing atmosphere inspired by the al fresco dining scene the Mediterranean is so well known for, Nico is full of bright, sunny and lemony offerings - you'll feel like you're dining in the Italian sun. Passionate Italian chef, Nicola Ronconi, has taken the best of Italy's classic recipes and recharged them with a modern Australian twist. The result? Inventive dishes that would be familiar to Italians, but new to Aussie tastebuds.

Close your eyes and imagine digging into homemade focaccia with ethereal smoked butter. Picture platefuls of radicchio kissed with a balsamic dressing - and a sprinkle of walnuts. Consider succulent lamb rump with crunchy cauliflower, and imagine a crispy-skinned snapper fillet, or handmade pasta so good it'll make you say "Bellissimo".

It's close, but not quite like the real thing - why? Because Nico cares about their local diners like no Italian trattoria can. Their menu is seasonal (with all the ingredients sourced close by), so you'll only ever be treated to what the region has to offer right at that moment. They're just as keen to share their passion for wine, too - with a list as long as your appetite. You can bet their front-of-house staff (also passionate sommelier extraordinaire) are full to the brim with wine knowledge. One thing they're unshakably obsessed with is making your Nico visit an unforgettable one. That’s what the destination restaurant gets right down to its flippin’ DNA, don’t you know?