'I want to bring locals together': Radio host Mark Levy opens Sydney restaurant

Radio host Mark Levy describes himself as "one of the great eaters of Australia" but he'll now also be helping others "eat for Australia" with his new Sydney restaurant, Pronto.

The Wide World of Sports host has partnered with a mate from the hospitality industry to open Pronto Sylvania in the old Mike's Bar and Grill site, which burnt down a few years ago.

"We've been in the works for about three or four months. We did to fit out ourselves, hired the staff ourselves and had the grand opening [on Thursday night] and we opened to the public [Friday morning]," he tells 9honey Kitchen.

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Levy isn't fazed about going into the restaurant business without a background in the industry because his own dining experiences will put him in good stead for offering a good feed at a good price.

"I did hospitality at school and all that sort of thing, but not necessarily in restaurants, more of my experience has been dining in them. But I certainly know what it takes to to make it successful, because I'm judging it and working it as if I was a diner and what sort of experience I'd like," he says.

The 2GB announcer hopes Pronto Sylvania will be a place for locals to connect and enjoy going out for a meal without breaking the bank.

"I just want to create a little community hub, it's like a safe place for people to come along and have a coffee, have a chat and also get an affordable meal because you know, in the midst of a cost of living crisis people are doing it tough, so we want to make sure they come in and get value for money," he tells 9honey Kitchen.

Pronto's Italian and Balkan themed menu certainly delivers on that promise with bargain deals from Monday to Thursday nights.

Monday will have four pizzas for $60, Tuesday is four pastas for $60, on Wednesdays kids eat free and Thursday has the Balkan meat platter for $60 per family. There will also be $3 regular coffees until August 3 in partnership with Piazza D'Oro.

The opening of Pronto comes at a busy time for Levy who will be leading 2GB's Paris Olympics 2024 coverage overnight, but he has promised to pop in when he can.

Levy was there from 5am this morning when the restaurant opened to the public for the first time, and will be in most mornings and visit on the way home from work at night. Even when he isn't at the restaurant, the radio host says his stellar team will deliver an excellent dining experience.

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"I'm lucky – we've got a really good team. We've got an Italian pizza chef who's been in the country for five weeks. We've got a head chef with a a pretty good CV – he's worked here, there and everywhere – Rob Garbett is his name," Levy says.

And if you find yourself struggling to decide between all the delicious dishes listed on the menu, you could always try Levy's go-to meal, the seafood marinara.

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