Introducing Sydney’s New Dual Dining Destination: Ruma Arte Bianca
Double Bay , Sydney, June 2025
In one of the most exciting collaborations to hit Sydney’s dining scene this year, Ruma Arte Bianca has officially opened in Double Bay. The partnership brings together two distinct experiences under one roof, seamlessly transitioning from day to night, and introducing a bold new model for hospitality.
“This hybrid of merging two businesses under one roof may just be the future,” says Chef Faheem Noor, founder of Ruma. “We’re maximising space, trading hours and creativity while offering two strong brands in one destination.”
By day, Ruma serves its signature brunch and all-day dining with a modern Italian Asian twist: pistachio mortadella open sandwiches, kimchimmichurri, bottomless cloud matcha, and housemade Italian cannoli.
As night falls, Arte Bianca transforms the space into a bustling Italian pizzeria and pasta bar – with founder Mark Paterno’s award-winning wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, seasonal specials, and an Italian cocktail and wine list inspired by his latest trip to Italy.
The partnership was born from a long-standing friendship between Noor and Paterno, and a mutual determination to keep Arte Bianca in Double Bay after Paterno’s former site closed.
“I’ve known Mark since my Pelicano days nearly 10 years ago,” says Noor. “When I heard his tenancy was ending, it was a no-brainer to propose this partnership.”
“The integrity Faheem brings and Ruma’s position in Double Bay made this something we couldn’t walk away from,” adds Paterno. “This is my biggest project yet – exhilarating is the only way to describe it.”
The name Arte Bianca, meaning “white art”, is a tribute to Paterno’s deep craft of dough-making.
“I consider my work both science and art,” explains Paterno. “The science is my starting point — the formula, time, temperature, hydration. Then I add myself into the mix – that’s where the magic happens.”
With decades of experience from his family pizzeria in Haberfield to training under world pizza champion Graziano Bertuzzo in Italy, Paterno’s mission is simple: “To give Australians a better pizza.”
“The quality in Australia is now very high – I want to keep learning, growing, and sharing my particular take on pizza with our customers.My hope is that guests feel transported, even for an hour, to a piazza in Italy where they can enjoy authentic, easy-to-digest pizza and handmade dishes with good company.”
The Double Bay venue has been carefully reconfigured to allow both brands to thrive with
highlights:
• A grand dome pizza oven now anchors the kitchen.
• The private dining room has been transformed into a dedicated pasta studio.
• A 40-year-old olive tree and cascading fairy lights create a European street charm.
• The vibe shifts throughout the day with curated changes in lighting, music, and decor.
“We’ve extended the kitchen, curated the layout, and built a model that supports dual operations
without compromise,” says Noor.
Paterno’s trusted kitchen crew has moved into the new location alongside the existing Ruma team,
but the doors remain open to fresh talent.
“There’s always room for more talent in the kitchen, and space for anyone who wants to learn.”
Beyond the food, both founders see their partnership as a new blueprint for the evolving hospitality landscape: reducing costs, improving efficiency, sharing resources, and offering customers more in one space.
“This is not just smart business – it’s a forward-thinking solution for how venues can thrive,” says Noor.
Ruma Arte Bianca is now open at 1/1 Kiaora Ln, Double Bay.
