LA SALA

Profile

La Sala serves a creative and exciting selection of modern Italian cooking. It's all matched in inspiration by a rich decor that features live vines growing at the entrance, an open kitchen and see-through dry goods room, soothing chocolate carpets and wiry chandeliers jiggling from impressively high ceilings.

Andrea Mellas started working in the restaurant industry 17 years ago at a seaside resort in Victoria before moving to Melbourne's South Yarra to work with the award winning team at Caffe e Cucina.

In 1998 Andrea moved to Sydney to assist Mario Venneri (Grinders Coffee/Caffe Italia) in establishing a commercial 150 seat café venture at the Qantas Domestic Terminal, Sydney.

Towards the end of 1999, Andrea began work on a new harbour side eatery in Woolloomooloo called Otto Ristorante Italiano. Otto opened in March 2000 and proved to be an instant success, gaining accolades locally and internationally. Otto set a new restaurant benchmark within Sydney's dining scene.

As the well respected Restaurant Manager and Maitre d' of Otto, Andrea firmly established himself within Sydney's restaurant industry.

In June 2002, an opportunity arose for Andrea to continue his 10 year working relationship with Maurice Terzini, as one of the business partners involved in a new restaurant venture in Bondi.

This much anticipated restaurant became known as the now famous Iceberg's Dining Room & Bar.

Andrea's role at the Iceberg's was Restaurant Manager; his most integral role was his presence on the dining room floor.

During his career, Andrea has been an instrumental part of various management teams that have been responsible for a succession of restaurant industry accolades including: The Age Good Food Guide Awards, The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide and American Express Restaurant Awards.