Toppi, Bambini: Sydney restaurants where celebrities, politicians eat

They are the Sydney power tables where powerbrokers meet to eat and cut deals and celebs go to hide. Here are the 10 favourite haunts.

They are the Sydney power tables where powerbrokers meet to eat and cut deals and celebs go to not be seen.

In Sydney you always know where to find the rich and famous – Machiavelli for politicians such as Paul Keating scheming against Bob Hawke, Beppis for A-list visitors including Frank Sinatra, Pink and Rhianna, and Otto for talkback kings such as John Laws.

Machiavelli restaurant in Clarence St, in Sydney’s CBD, has long been one of the city’s power haunts.

But while those three Italian dining institutions carry on, there is a whole swath of power tables in new restaurants where the city’s powerful pull strings and seal deals.

Top for politicians is Toppi in Martin Place, staggering distance from Parliament House in Macquarie St and run by Pauli Toppi, the daughter of Machiavelli founder Giovanna Toppi.

On sitting weeks its glass fronted bar and back dining room is filled with politicians. It is particularly popular with deputy premier John Barilaro and his team but there are very few cabinet and shadow cabinet ministers who have not enjoyed its expansive wine, beer and cocktail list.

Celebrities meanwhile still flock to the restaurants owned by Justin Hemmes such as Sushi E, which proved a favourite with Bourne actor Matt Damon and Freds in Paddington, which won over celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and UK singer Adele.

Publicist Max Markson tipped China Doll, Icebergs and Mr Wongs as Sydney’s top power eateries.

“I won’t say their name but one of the wealthiest people in Australia had to host somebody recently and didn’t want to go out so ordered take away from Mr Wongs,” he said

But not every rich and powerful person goes to fancy restaurants — Racing NSW chief executive and Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V’landys takes a walk round the block for lunch while eating an apple.

American singer Pink has dined at Beppis.

Rihanna also favours Beppis.

The favourite spot for Atlassian billionaires Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes is a laksa restaurant in the Hunter Connection food court.

“You can’t reserve a table,” Farquhar said. “You basically hover around someone who looks like they’re almost finished eating until they feel uncomfortable enough that they leave.”

What the restaurant lacks in atmosphere is more than made up for by the “great, great food,” which keeps the world-leading tech genius coming back for more.

He recommends “skinless chicken with extra chilli, extra noodles and … extra chilli.”

Billionaire chicken heiress Jess Ingham dines at Bambini every week with her girlfriends Samantha Jade and Roxy Jacenko.

“I eat 18-months-aged Sardinian Pecorino Sardo, Ligurian olives, grissini grilled scampi, truffle butter and samphire bambini pavlova, passion fruit and berries,” she said.

Nova host Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli said: “I’m loving Tottis in Bondi, I’ve been twice in the last month. Lisa took me for my 41st birthday and I ate so much I couldn’t move for days! I love the rustic outdoor feel — it’s like you could be anywhere in the world and everybody’s having a great time! Don’t go past their Burrata and Octopus.”

Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar like laksa from a Sydney food court.

Tim Blackwell, co-host of Nova Network’s Kate, Tim & Joel drive show, said: “My local favourite is Continental Deli on Australia Street, Newtown. I can pop in for a sandwich and a quick beer or stay longer, prop up at the bar and smash a fish plate, charcuterie plate, gilda’s (basically a lemon stuffed olive with an anchovy on a stick)! and a few classic Mar-Tinny cocktails. Their signature martini in a can! If I want something a little more ‘heavy’ Bistecca in the city is my new favourite place for a steak, some bone marrow toast and a smashing red. Did I mention it was heavy? But worth it!”

Former Bachelor Matty J, host of Nova’s The Babble, is a fan of Icebergs Dining Room. “We’ll only treat ourselves a couple times a year but it’s Laura and my ‘go to’ for special occasions, like, birthdays, anniversaries, babies being born or when impressing the mother-in-law,” he said.

“It has one of the best views of Bondi, the food is incredible and it’s walking distance from our apartment, which is ideal when you’ve been indulging in Aperol Spritz all afternoon.

“Heaven on earth is an entree of oysters followed by the Moreton Bay bug spaghetti. Then finish it off with a bit of chocolate mousse (and a couple more Aperol Spritz).”

CELEBRITY SPOTTING

Mr Wongs, the city: GWS Giants chairman Tony Shepherd, US talk show host Oprah, UK footballer David Beckham, US reality star Kim Kardashian and musician husband Kanye West, Sky presenter Alan Jones

China Doll, Woolloomooloo: NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, adman John Singleton, singer Col Joye

Otto, Woolloomooloo: Broadcaster John Laws, actor Russell Crowe, director Baz Luhrmann and his costume director partner Catherine Martin

BTB, Kirribilli: John Halland CEO Joe Barr

Bennelong, Opera House: NAB director Ann Sherry

Cafe Giorgio, Potts Point: Crown Resorts CEOKen Barton

Bilu, Harris Park: Committe for Sydney chairmanMichael Rose

Fenwick, Balmain East: Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue chairman Christopher Brown

Laksa shop, Hunter Connection food court: Atlassian co-founders Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes

Toppi Restaurant and Bar, Martin Place: Deputy Premier John Barilaro, Transport Minister Andrew Constance, One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham

Bambini Trust, Elizabeth St, CDB: Chicken heiress Jess Ingham, singer Samantha Jade, PR queen Roxy Jacenko

Totti’s, Bondi: Nova host Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli

Icebergs Dining Room, Bondi: Former Bachelor Matty J

Beppi’s, CBD: Meriton developer Harry Triguboff, Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson, federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese

Rockpool Bar and Grill, CBD: NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean, Seven CEO James Warburton, former prime ministers John Howard, Malcolm Turnbull and Paul Keating

Hotel Centennial, Woollahra: JP Morgan high flyers Dyson Bowditch and Jabe Jerram

Felix, CBD: Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Jarden director of institutional equities Frank Sarks

Mimi’s, Coogee: Ash Morgan lawyer Michael Rothner

Sushi E, George St: US actor Matt Damon

Freds, Paddington: Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, singer Adele

Machiavelli Ristorante, Clarence St, CBD: Bachelor contestantsMonique Morley, Rachael Arahill and Nikki Ferris

La Rosa, Strand Arcade: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, former racing driver Mark Webber, Kate Moss and Jamie Hince of The Kills

Azuma Japanese Restaurant, Chifley Square: Former premier Mike Baird, Coca-Cola Amatil chairman David Gonski, Powerhouse Museum boss Darren Steinberg

Chiswick, Woollahra: ABC chair Ita Buttrose, society benefactors Ros Packer, Gretel Packer and Jeanne Pratt, former NSW governor Marie Bashir

Pendolino, Strand Arcade: Former Commonwealth Bank chief executive Ralph Norris, Aussie Home Loans boss John Symond

Catalina, Rose Bay: Actors Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-lee Furness, actor Nicole Kidman, singer Bono, actor Charlize Theron, corporate adviser Rodney and wife Lindy Adler

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