Guy Grossi

Globally recognised and respected chef-restaurateur Guy Grossi embodies Italian hospitality, with his iconic Grossi Florentino restaurant (opened in 1999), Grossi Grill, Ombra, Cellar Bar and Arlechin shaping Melbourne’s cultural and culinary dining scene. 

Guy’s dedication to finding a balance between reviving traditional, time-honoured fundamentals and combining them with a modern and forward-thinking approach is at the core of his establishments.

Growing up in the heart of an Italian family Guy watched his father Pietro Grossi ​ – also a chef – harvest fresh produce from the family garden, and learnt traditional techniques and recipes passed down through the generations. 

At the age of 15, Guy embarked on a career as a chef at a local seafood restaurant, where he thrived in a high-pressure environment. He later re-joined his father and further refined his knife-wielding skills at Leon Massoni’s Tolarno, followed by a stint at Hermann Schneider’s, Two Faces. 

He purchased his first restaurant, Quadri in 1986, where he and his wife, Melissa resided for three years before opening Cafe Grossi. In 1999, the couple purchased one of Melbourne’s most enduring restaurants, The Florentino, which quickly became known and loved as the iconic CBD restaurant, Grossi Florentino. Mirka in St Kilda, followed in 2007 offering simple dishes using quality ingredients, with the additions of Ombra in 2012 and Arlechin in 2017. 

Guy currently operates Victorian venues: Grossi Florentino, Cellar Bar, Grill, Ombra and Arlechin – as well as Garum (WA), which opened in 2018, and Settimo in the Westin, Brisbane in 2023.

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Notes to editors:

Instagram: @guygrossi 

Books: 

About Grossi Group ​
​Grossi Group is a collection of authentic Italian hospitality venues founded by owner and executive chef, Guy Grossi. While first established in 1986 it was the introduction of Grossi Florentino in 1999, (also home to Grossi Grill and Cellar Bar), that transformed Melbourne’s cultural and culinary dining scene, fast becoming one of the city’s most esteemed restaurants. With the purchase of Ombra (2012), opening of Arlechin (2017) and Puttanesca (2023) the group began to grow, now consisting of six Melbourne Italian venues, one Perth-based sibling and one Queensland venue.

About Grossi Florentino 
​Located at the top of Melbourne’s CBD, Florentino is steeped in Italian tradition with affectionate contemporary expression. The grand and luxurious dining space was founded in 1928 with Guy Grossi taking ownership in 1999. The decorated walls in Italianate murals and ornate light fixtures still breathe life into the venue today adding to the romantic atmosphere. Grossi Florentino embodies its rich Italian heritage, with all dishes handmade and prepared with the finest ingredients, and executed to the utmost perfection – befitting of its grandeur.
​Website: www.florentino.com.au/florentino
​Address: 80 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
​Social media handle: @grossiflorentino

About Grossi Grill 
​Grill is a humble extension of Grossi Florentino, offering a sophisticated, yet casual dining experience with a touch of Tuscan influence. The open kitchen provides a fast-paced atmosphere where the food is based around wood-fire cooking with an emphasis on Tuscan methods and premium ingredients.
​Website: www.florentino.com.au/grill/
​Address: 80 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
​Social media handle: @grossigrill

About Cellar Bar 
​This intimate venue is all about character, offering a relaxed, casual dining approach that focuses on quality pasta and wine. Cellar Bar takes inspiration from Grossi’s Italian heritage, showcasing regional and traditional recipes. ​
​Website: www.florentino.com.au/cellar-bar
​Address: 80 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
​Social media handle: @cellarbarmelbourne

About Ombra 
​Located next door to Grossi Florentino, Ombra is the Grossi family’s salumi and cicchetti bar, based on the ideals of preservation. This preservation refers to produce, as well as lifestyle and culture by using techniques that, for centuries, have prolonged nature’s bounty through processes like drying, smoking, salting, fermenting, pickling and candying. ​
​Website: www.ombrabar.com.au
​Address: 76 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
​Social media handle: @ombrasalumibar

About Arlechin
​Arlechin is a European-inspired cocktail and wine bar serving sharing plates, house-made pastas and specialty cocktails by acclaimed restaurateurs, the Grossi family. The venue is tucked away on Mornane Pl in Melbourne’s CBD and is only notable by a small logo in the corner of the perforated glass entranceway. Arlechin is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5 pm - 1 am.
​Website: www.arlechin.com.au
​Social media handle: @arlechinmelbourne

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​Madeleine Guthrie | Reymond Communications
​E: madeleine@reymond.com.au | M: +61 (0) 425 702 613