Balla - The Star

4.2

473 Reviews

$40 and under

Italian

Good for special occasions
Innovative
Great for fine wines

Stefano and Julie collaborated with Luigi Rosselli Architects and Frost* Design to create the split level, 170 seater Balla, which pays homage to Italy’s contribution to 20th Century cool. Impressive references to Milan’s Navigli area and the paintings of Giacomo Balla – the restaurant’s Futurist namesake – beautifully contrast with a menu built around the heart of traditional Italian. With the addition of a wood fired grill to Manfredi’s open kitchen, diners experience a true Osteria experience. While encouraged to soak up Sydney Harbour views, they enjoy the house-made breads and pastas and the generous menu inspired by the traditional food culture of Stefano’s homeland featuring Antipasti, Primi e Pasta, Pesce e Crostacei and Carne as well as the indulgent delights of desserts - I Dolci. The restaurant also includes a Private Dining Room, which seats up to 28 guests and can be closed off from the main restaurant to provide an intimate dining experience.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

There’s more to explore

Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Open app

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$40 and under
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Lunch: Monday - Friday: 12:00pm - 2:30pm Dinner: Monday - Friday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm
Phone number
(02) 9657 9129
Website
http://www.star.com.au/sydney-restaurants/signature-fine-dining/Pages/balla.aspx
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Gabriele Taddeucci

Location
80 Pyrmont Street, Sydney, AU-NSW 2009
Neighborhood
Pyrmont
Parking details
Secure car park underground, via Pyrmont Street and Pirrama Road. http://www.star.com.au/find-us/Pages/parking.aspx
Public transit
It’s easy to get to The Star: http://www.star.com.au/find-us/Pages/getting-here.aspx

Oysters shucked to orderA$4.00
Salumi per 50g served with Balla grissiniA$9.00
Prosciutto cotto (roasted ham leg), Prosciutto San Daniele, Bresaola, Pancetta, Mortadella, Soppressa, Finocchietta Balla
FormaggiA$23.00
Fresh cheese selection of three with pickled artichokes
Kingfish crudoA$22.00
with lime and spicy mayonnaise

Primi Piattie Pasta - First Course

'pasta is entrée size

Zucchini flowers with ricotta and truffle, zucchini purée and macadamiaA$23.00
Fiori di zucca ripieni con ricotta e tartufo
Pan fried scallops with smoked eggplant puree and spicy 'nduja crumbsA$25.00
Capesante con melanzane e nduja
Pappardelle with veal ragu' and Montasio cheeseA$26.00
Pappardelle con ragu' di vitella e Montasio
Ravioli of stracciatella cheese and basil, with zucchini puree and flowersA$27.00
Ravioli di burrata e basilico, con fiori di zucca

Secondi Piatti - Second Course

Risotto with Yamba prawns, capsicum and smoked ricottaA$39.00
Risotto ai gamberi, pepperoni e ricotta affumicata
Steamed snapper fillet with heirloom tomato and spicy tomato brothA$39.00
Filetto di dentice al pomodoro piccante
Pan roasted duck breast with nectarine and amaranth leavesA$41.00
Petto d'anatra al le pesche e amaranto
Australian toothfish with beetroot and burnt onionA$43.00
Branzino del Pacifico con barbabietole

Dalla GriGlia - From the Grill

Wagyu tri-tip (Mbs 5+) with baby cos, bagna cauda and marinated eggA$44.00
Cimalino di manzo con lattuga, bagna cauda e uovo marinato
Lobster tails with pea purée, eschalot dressing and pea sproutsA$49.00
Aragosta con piselli scalogno
Chicken, grilled whole and served off the bone with garlic and chilli salsa (for 2)A$76.00
Pollo alla Diavola
Traditional 800g Florentine T-bone - allow 40min (for 2)A$78.00
La tagliata Fiorentina

Contorni - Side Dishes

Roast potatoesA$9.50
Eggplant caponataA$9.50
Tomato, spring onion and oreganoA$9.50
Rocket and Parmesan saladA$9.50

Dolci - Dessert

Tiramisu' with Savoiardi biscuits dipped in coffeeA$14.00
Tiramisu con savoiardi e caffe
Vanilla pannacotta, peach and white caramelA$14.00
Pannacotta alla vaniglia con pesche
White chocolate and earl grey cream with Italian PandoroA$14.00
Crema al cioccolato bianco e bergamotto con Pandoro
Burnt Italian meringue, blueberry and almond tortaA$14.00
Meringa bruciata e mirtilli
Coffee brulee with fresh raspberries and hazelnut pralineA$14.00
Crema caramellata al caffe' con lamponi e nocciole

What 473 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4.2Food
4.2Service
4.1Ambience
3.7Value

Noise • Energetic

473 Reviews

s
string
64013 reviews
3.0
64013 reviews
Dined on July 21, 2018
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Staff to self absorbed in each other missed customer focus Ask repeatedly for missed drinks Food Table not prepared
Is this helpful?
s
string
64013 reviews
3.0
64013 reviews
Dined on July 21, 2018
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Waited 45 minutes between entree and main. Waiter spoke broken English. Had a food allergy and waiter could not confirm or deny if meals had that ingredient. Champagne with limoncello came out warm - was $30, so expected it to be cool. Waiter also didn’t know the drink. We’re forgot about between entree and main and 2 x glasses wine took 10 minutes to come out. Food itself was nice. Would not return or recommend, unfortunately.
Is this helpful?
s
string
64013 reviews
4.0
64013 reviews
Dined on July 19, 2018
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The service was great and a good place to catch up with friends.
Is this helpful?
s
string
64013 reviews
4.0
64013 reviews
Dined on July 14, 2018
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
I thi k the best place to eat at the Crown. The food was interesting and innovative. The service could have been a little more attentive or they could have left the wine at the table as we’d have to call their attention to our empty glasses.
Is this helpful?
s
string
64013 reviews
3.0
64013 reviews
Dined on July 12, 2018
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
The food was OK but definitely not worth the price tag - the calamari was nice, the pasta well cooked but the lamb was half cold and lacked any flavor - the vegetable side was horrible. Staff were not the best, I had noted in my booking that it was for my partners birthday and we would appreciate a nicer table - but were not given one - despite the restaurant being half empty. The service was fine but nothing special - not worth it if booking for a special occasion. I would certainly not return
Is this helpful?
s
string
64013 reviews
5.0
64013 reviews
Dined on July 12, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
When we arrived we were asked if we are going to a show , which was the case , from then the food came out in timely manner , the service was great , we finished our meal on time , no rush & made it on time to the show. They also took the time to make a special presentation for our birthday girl :)
Is this helpful?
s
string
64013 reviews
3.0
64013 reviews
Dined on July 7, 2018
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Serving size was quite generous, was full after a 4 course meal. Place was a little loud for my liking.
Is this helpful?
s
string
64013 reviews
5.0
64013 reviews
Dined on July 7, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
There were 7 of us, and we had a great evening at Balla. A lovely round table where we could all sit around and chat. It wasn't too noisy so we could easily hear everyone at the table, even though the whole restaurant had an energetic atmosphere. The food was divine. Complementary breads to begin, then entrée, mains & dessert, plus wine and cocktails. Everyone in our party was delighted with all their meals. Professional service by all staff who were happy and engaged. Highly recommend!
Is this helpful?
s
string
64013 reviews
4.0
64013 reviews
Dined on July 7, 2018
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
A warm sunny table for a Winter lunch, with food and service to match.
Is this helpful?
MA
MarcoA
Sydney
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 6, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Good food, nice wait staff, great wine. Would come back.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Balla - The Star is rated 4.2 stars by 473 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

80 Pyrmont Street, Sydney, AU-NSW 2009

Additional information

Neighborhood
Pyrmont
Hours of operation
Lunch: Monday - Friday: 12:00pm - 2:30pm Dinner: Monday - Friday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm
Price
$40 and under
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Secure car park underground, via Pyrmont Street and Pirrama Road. http://www.star.com.au/find-us/Pages/parking.aspx
Public transit
It’s easy to get to The Star: http://www.star.com.au/find-us/Pages/getting-here.aspx
Executive chef
Gabriele Taddeucci

Website
http://www.star.com.au/sydney-restaurants/signature-fine-dining/Pages/balla.aspx
Phone number
(02) 9657 9129

Balla - The Star

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Antipasti - Before the Meal

Oysters shucked to orderA$4.00

Salumi per 50g served with Balla grissiniA$9.00

FormaggiA$23.00

Kingfish crudoA$22.00

Primi Piattie Pasta - First Course

Zucchini flowers with ricotta and truffle, zucchini purée and macadamiaA$23.00

Pan fried scallops with smoked eggplant puree and spicy 'nduja crumbsA$25.00

Pappardelle with veal ragu' and Montasio cheeseA$26.00

Ravioli of stracciatella cheese and basil, with zucchini puree and flowersA$27.00

Secondi Piatti - Second Course

Risotto with Yamba prawns, capsicum and smoked ricottaA$39.00

Steamed snapper fillet with heirloom tomato and spicy tomato brothA$39.00

Pan roasted duck breast with nectarine and amaranth leavesA$41.00

Australian toothfish with beetroot and burnt onionA$43.00

Dalla GriGlia - From the Grill

Wagyu tri-tip (Mbs 5+) with baby cos, bagna cauda and marinated eggA$44.00

Lobster tails with pea purée, eschalot dressing and pea sproutsA$49.00

Chicken, grilled whole and served off the bone with garlic and chilli salsa (for 2)A$76.00

Traditional 800g Florentine T-bone - allow 40min (for 2)A$78.00

Contorni - Side Dishes

Roast potatoesA$9.50

Eggplant caponataA$9.50

Tomato, spring onion and oreganoA$9.50

Rocket and Parmesan saladA$9.50

Dolci - Dessert

Tiramisu' with Savoiardi biscuits dipped in coffeeA$14.00

Vanilla pannacotta, peach and white caramelA$14.00

White chocolate and earl grey cream with Italian PandoroA$14.00

Burnt Italian meringue, blueberry and almond tortaA$14.00

Coffee brulee with fresh raspberries and hazelnut pralineA$14.00

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is Balla - The Star restaurant rated?

Is Balla - The Star currently accepting reservations?

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information