Sydney is one of the world’s most exciting culinary playgrounds. These new openings and beloved venues with fresh additions are enticing reasons to book and start tasting Sydney.
Sharing the love at Sahtein in the Rocks
Channeling the warmth and generosity of Beirut, Sahtein is led by Executive Chef Mike Flood, whose career spans Felix Bistro & Bar, Firedoor and Quay in Sydney, as well as Petrus and Maze by Gordon Ramsay in London. He’s joined at Sahtein by Head Chef Rifat Katranci, formerly of Jimmy’s Falafel and the hugely popular nearby steak restaurant, The Cut Bar & Grill.
Beirut cooking is a vibrant mix of traditional Levantine flavours and modern, cosmopolitan influences, with a focus on fresh, quality ingredients such as olive oil, lemon, garlic and herbs. From the breads, dips and pickles to mezze such as loubieh bi zeit (a nourishing vegetarian stew), falafel, and chicken livers with mulberry molasses, Sahtein captures this, and the menu is designed for sharing.
The hummus and baba ghanoush are tongue-tingling perfection, and the garlic chicken drizzled with Aleppo
(peppery honey) has me booking another dinner in my head as I swoon over the sweet, tender strips.
Charcoal-grilled skewers and a signature seven-spice lamb neck anchor the mains, and the Ossmaliyyeh (a pastry with nuts & rose syrup) and orange blossom ice-cream with halva offer a perfectly sweet, crumbly finish.
Speaking of sweet, as Lebanon is a major producer of cherries, and dining here deserves a dramatically theatrical finale, Sahtein has a tableside cocktail experience that you won’t find elsewhere. A mixologist creates a Manhattan-style cherry-based cocktail in front of guests, with cherries and spirits poured into a bulbous glass chamber at the top, from which it spirals down through a series of glass vestibules to become a light, sweet cocktail. It’s another reason why this has to be one of the most exciting Lebanese food experiences in the city.
Aussie beef takes the stage at Rockpool
Sydney institution Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney has introduced a five-course beef tasting menu celebrating Australia’s finest beef producers. Priced at $195 per person ($120 with drink pairing), the menu showcases David Blackmore mishima, full-blood Wagyu, Cape Grim black angus and Rockpool Reserve F1.
Guided by Executive Chef Santiago Aristizabal’s Southern American influences, the journey moves from Peruvian-inspired bites to the bold flavours of Argentina, Mexico and Colombia. Each course highlights
a different cut and technique, with the spotlight firmly on provenance, marbling and flavour.
It’s a refined, fire-driven experience for serious meat lovers, and although the dishes are the stars of the show, Rockpool will always be one of Australia’s most beautiful dining rooms. With its soaring cathedral-like ceilings, grand marble columns and leather-clad banquettes, the American-style art deco skyscraper is something to behold.
That’s if you can bear to tear your eyes away from incredible meals being presented by some of the most attentive, knowledgeable hospitality staff in Sydney. Simply superb.
A new look for The Captain Cook hotel
The Captain Cook has been part of Paddington’s social fabric since 1882, and I, like many, have spent many a night in its cavernous rooms. Rebuilt in 1914 to a design by architect John Burcham Clamp, the pub has now returned to its neighbourhood roots under a thoughtful restoration by the Bird & Bear group, and it’s light, bright and buzzing with new life.
Original features, including the central round bar, remain, while upgrades have revitalised the sports bar and bistro. The former pokies room is now Joe’s Kitchen – a light-filled Italian-inspired space serving Roman-style ‘pinsa’, which is a light, airy flatbread created using traditional techniques and Australian flour.
Fronting Josephson Lane, the leafy, dog-friendly beer garden is a great people-watching spot while you enjoy a classic burger and a refreshing drink.
More space at iconic Bouillon L’Entrecôte
Bouillon L’Entrecôte in Circular Quay has unveiled a 30-seat extension on Quay Quarter Lanes, just steps from Sydney Harbour. The expansion coincides with new menu additions, including the L’Entrecôte Mitraillette – a wagyu steak frites baguette layered with the restaurant’s signature sauce, that’s only on the lunch menu.
My partner and I began our Parisian banquet with a passionfruit martini, followed by entrées of perfectly seared scallops with foie gras mousse and onion jam on a perfectly flaky pastry base, alongside one of the most indulgent Gruyère-laden traditional French onion soups I’ve ever tasted.
For mains we enjoyed the charcoal-grilled sirloin with the secret sauce and fries, and a crispy skinned salmon with a side of creamy leeks. For desert, the flambéed crêpe Suzette stole the show. They say Paris is the city of love. Well, I’m now head over heels in love with Boullion L’Entrecôte.
Eager to keep tasting Sydney? To read about seven Sydney icons and where to dine in front of them, click here.
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