Inside Johnny Fontane’s: cigars, cocktails and Chicago deep dish

Darlinghurst’s newly rejuvenated Stanley St has another new bar to add to its arsenal, with Johnny Fontane’s – a cigar, cocktail, and pizza bar opening this month.

Named after the fictional godson of mob boss Vito Corleone from The Godfather, Johnny Fontane’s drink menu has been created by The Bear Bar’s Andy Curtis, and focuses on three specialties: cocktails based on Italian liquors; modern twists on classics such as the Martini and Negroni; and Italian and American wines and craft beers.

The crown jewel, however, is the Chicago Deep Dish pizza pie menu from executive chef Cy Gwynne (ex-Longrain and Café Sydney), and Johnny Fontane’s is the only major Sydney venue serving the signature dish of Al Capone’s hometown. The Chicago deep dish is cooked in a deep dish pan and is in between a pizza and a pie, and flavours include the Capone with pork and veal meatballs; or vegetarian option, the Gambino, with marinated mushrooms and grilled zucchini.

In addition, Johnny Fontane’s will also sell Cuban cigars for guests to enjoy, cocktail in hand, on the cigar deck.

The venue’s interior has been brought to life by interior stylist Belinda Cendron (The Sourceress) and features four distinct spaces: a Rat Pack-themed downstairs bar; a Sicilian-style courtyard with a large central citrus tree; a “gangster lounge” for drinking and dining on the first floor; and the cigar deck with a retro-resort Cuban feel.

The venue is the brainchild of Thomas Derricott, who co-founded Catmosphere Cat Café Sydney in 2015; and The Bear Bar’s Andy Curtis.