The Rockpool Group has opened their latest restaurant, Rosetta, at Crown. Neil Perry is the creative force behind Rosetta, a sophisticated and elegant Italian ristorante that combines an impressive Iain Halliday-designed dining room with professional and authentic service, and a seasonally driven menu of Neil’s favourite regional recipes from his extensive travels through Italy.

Designed by renowned Australian designer Iain Halliday of BKH and inspired by the simple elegance of Cipriani’s and Harry’s Bar, Rosetta is overlaid with luxurious Italian points of interest. Carrara and Viola marble are dominant features throughout the dining room together with rich mahogany parquetry walls, which are adorned by some of Italy’s most famous faces. The large domed ceilings with Barovier & Toso chandeliers are in perfect contrast to the russet coloured velvet banquettes, custom-made leather chairs and sheer linen blinds that cocoon the space.

Excited by Rosetta’s elegance and traditional highlights, Neil said, “Iain and I wanted Rosetta to be classical, luxe and to reference all the important ‘Italianisms’ that we aspire to. From the punched tan leather reception desk, which resembles the interior of a Ferrari, to the vintage
Fornasetti screens, antiques and gilded pieces, everything has been meticulously sourced to create this highly individual, beautifully designed and completely functional restaurant.

With an extraordinary vista of Melbourne’s skyline, Rosetta seats 100 people in the restaurant and 80 on the heated alfresco terrace overlooking the promenade and Yarra River.

A small bar in the centre of the dining room, with views to the busy kitchen, seats 10 people while the private dining room, with a modern Warhol-inspired mural of Michelangelo’s The Last Supper, accommodates 20 people.

The aim for the lighting, by Sarah McClintock and Bernie Tan-Hayes at POV Melbourne, was to continue this contemporary-traditional language, creating the sense that all lighting in the space comes from traditional sources: Venetian chandeliers, table lamps and brass picture lights.

The integration of new technologies occurs in a concealed manner. Downlights are hidden within ceiling detailing. Domes, joinery and picture lights integrate LED and optics, allowing for a diversity of effects that sculpt the space and add contrasts.

During the day Rosetta is filled with natural light flooding into the room from every direction. The interior lighting plays a supportive role presenting a bright space where all interior architecture is exposed.

With the passing of daylight, the restaurant is transformed: Murano glass chandeliers and table lamps from the 750 year-old Barovier & Toso become the main characters of the space. Key materials are subtly revealed through the use of concealed lighting; timber veneer, marble gold trims and Braille curtains make an understated appearance, in contrast with accented artwork and murals. Displays of wine glasses are directly illuminated to add sparkle and communicate with the chandeliers.

“We are very lucky to have the opportunity to work with Neil. He is incredibly passionate and detailed about all aspects of his restaurants, and it’s this which takes the dining experience to another level,” said Sarah McClintock. Perry is knowledgeable in the magic that lighting can bring to a space, and encouraged the lighting designers to achieve a sense of intimacy at every table. “Even the eventful kitchen was considered a space where warm light is essential,” said Sarah McClintock.