Sydney eastern suburbs: The best new restaurant openings
The restaurant scene in Sydney’s east is back with a bang, with a number of high profile openings. Get excited, because these are our six hottest new places to eat and drink out.
Wentworth Courier
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The dining scene in the east and inner city has exploded with a host of exciting new restaurants opening to tempt us as we emerge from lockdown.
From share style plates to the best local live music and chef guided ethical food journeys, there is something for absolutely every palate.
THE BLUE DOOR
Shop 8, 38 Waterloo St, Surry Hills
www.thebluedoorsurryhills.com.au
Chef Dylan Cashman takes the ethical and sustainable sourcing of his ingredients so seriously he’s even had vegans take a sneaky bite of meat.
“We only serve food from farms or suppliers we have been to ourselves so we can tell you exactly where your food came from and who grew it,” Mr Cashman said.
“We only buy whole animals and there’s no waste. Our menu changes every week so we can be flexible. If you’re a restaurant and you only serve eye fillets, well that’s an awful waste when you’re only getting a handful of serves per animal.
“Our philosophy is all about connection. Reconnecting diners with each other and also why you should be eating the way you are.
“We have found people boycotting whole industries rather than saying, well let’s support the right part of the industry.
“We had a pop up to trial the concept and we had vegans halfway through the meal switch to eating meat because they said, ‘you know, it sounds like these animals were well cared for and had a good life’ so that was pretty cool.
“Our cows just live on a farm and cruise around.”
When you book at The Blue Door, which opened on October 20, you’ll be sent a list of the producers who have grown the food you will be enjoying.
Dietary requirements are catered for if provided in advance, but otherwise you’re completely in Mr Cashman’s hands.
Right now the intimate venue sits 16 and will fit 22 once restrictions ease.
Chefs and floorstaff will talk you through each course as it comes to the tables and no two weeks menus will be the same.
Mr Cashman, who has worked in the three Michelin star German restaurant Vendome, said he wanted to make the dining experience accessible.
“It’s just a really fun and eye opening sort of experience to realise you can eat and experience a high level restaurant without the pretence. We don’t want any of that in our venue – we say it’s fun dining not fine dining.”
LOLA’S LEVEL 1
Level 1, 180-186 Campbell Parade, Bondi
lolaslevel1.com.au
Bondi Beach’s newest obsession opened with a bang on October 15.
Lola’s is co-owned by hospitality industry veterans and eastern suburbs locals Marco Ambrosino and Manny Spinola.
Housed in the iconic Pacific building and boasting enviable beach views, Lola’s menu is led by head chef Paula Pantano.
When you visit Lola’s you’ll be sharing your meals Mediterranean style.
Spiced lamb skewers with goats curd and pickled cucumber; octopus with charred eggplant and tahini; wattleseed ricotta cannoli – asking Mr Spinola to choose a favourite was practically impossible.
“I’ll go in and start with a cocktail because our bar manager is exceptional so I’ll get him to make me a Negroni and then I’ll move on to the oysters granita,” Mr Spinola said.
“Then have the pan tumaca – it’s a very Spanish dish of crushed and flavoured tomatoes on charred bread.
“Of course I will have some olives and then for main course, which is set up to share, it will have to be fritto misto which is beautiful prawns, calamari and fish done with zucchini and the lasagnetta which is osso bucco lamb and it’s gorgeous – we think it will be a signature.
“I’ll finish with the semifreddo which is our take on a beautiful retro ice cream.”
Lola’s team also includes venue manager Luca Capecchi, Louis West and Mon Ditbunjong.
The venue has a solid wine list with bottles from Italy, Spain, France and Australia including a good organic selection.
MILLE VINI
397 Crown St, Surry Hills
www.millevini.com.au
Opening on October 21, this completely relaunched favourite haunt is all the things you loved plus so much more.
Under new ownership of Esper Hospitality founders Sam Lehain, David Veksler and Andrew Wallace, Mille Vini has officially been taken to the next level.
“Mille Vini was a big favourite but it was coming to the end of its lifespan after 15 or so years of heavy drinking,” Mr Wallace
“We have a great relationship with old owners, and so we’ve come in and given it the love it needs and done a big refresh but still keep it quite classic.
Our model is we’re the neighbourhood local, we’re approachable so you don’t have to make a booking or show up in heels to enjoy good food and wine but at the same time we are nice enough for date night.
“We’ve got curtains closing off tables to make it a bit more intimate for private dining.”
The menu contains some of Mille Vini’s classic dishes but has been overhauled into contemporary Italian cuisine.
“We’ve got oysters with different seasonings, three prosciuttos imported from Italy, four house-made pastas. It’s a small concise menu of only about 15 selections but everything is done very, very well.”
MAMA SAAN
57/59 Beach Road, Bondi Beach
www.mamasaan.com.au
Speaking of the Esper Hospitality crew, they’ve also taken over cult Bondi venue Mama Saan.
Also relaunching on October 21, Mama Saan’s big unveiling has been kept largely under wraps.
However that hasn’t stopped word from spreading and Mr Wallace said they’ve been absolutely inundated with inquiries.
“It’s crazy we haven’t made one post, one announcement but just through the grape vine people are hearing we are doing live music,” he said.
“And yes it’s true – five days a week. We’ll have soul night, DJs, jazz and electric blues night.
“We’ve invested $20,000 into a new speaker system which provides a very even listening experience no matter where you are in the venue.”
The venue has been given a complete “Tokyo street vibes” refurb and the menu, which was previously a mismatch of various Asian cuisines, has now been refined to contemporary Japanese.
“If we could embody the brand in a person it’s Rihanna – elegant, sexy, moody,” Mr Wallace said.
“When you think live music venues you think of going somewhere with a sticky floor and having a vodka soda.
“And look, that’s fun too, but we want to bring that music earlier into the night and do something different here.
“Everyone saying this is what Bondi is missing – a really good live music place where you know you’re gonna get funky vibes but also a great restaurant and bar.”
Local Bondi musicians will be allocated performance slots alongside artists from across the city.
FSH MKT
87-89 Glenayr Ave, Bondi Beach
fishshop.com.au
We don’t wish to alarm you, but our favourite seafood joint Fish Shop is closed for renos until next month.
Please remain calm, because the boys have launched FSH MKT – a concept which elevates the humble fish and chip take away to another universe.
Think Yellowfin tuna cheeseburgers, swordfish steak sandwiches and fresh, sustainable seafood to take home and cook.
Basically everything you’d expect from the geniuses behind Fishbowl.
Co-owner Nathan Dalah said lockdown had been a challenging but exciting time for Fish Shop with lines for take away stretching around Sevenways as locals came to bask in the beautiful yet previously under-utilised park.
The idea to launch FSH MKT to coincide with the renovations of Fish Shop grew organically due to the demand.
“We wanted to reimagine what a new age fish and chip shop would look like,” Mr Dalah said.
“It’s just so rare to have a venue that fronts on to a park like this so we really wanted to do something to complement the space.
“We were the first in the Sevenways precinct and to be frank, back then no one was using that park.
“But we believe the habits people have formed during recent times are going to be sticky.
“You don’t need a reservation to come and eat takeaway in the park.”
FSH MKT is open now adjacent to Fish Shop.
NORFOLK HOUSE & HOTEL
305 Cleveland St, Redfern
www.thenorfolk.co
Yes, this really is the Norfolk in Redfern after one heck of a spit and polish.
The much loved venue on the cusp of Surry Hills has been reimagined thanks to hospitality group the The People.
The People co-founder Paul Shulte said while they may have stripped back the pub to the bones, the heart and soul of Redfern still shone through.
The site boasts a recording room for artists or social media stars, co-working spaces and places for corporate or community classes.
“We’re planning to do wine and arts nights and all sorts of events. It’s a really versatile creative hub,” Mr Shulte said.
“There are a lot of people sticking out of the city these days and so that’s a lot of people looking for somewhere to work or meet.
“Pubs need to be more dynamic than just eating or drinking. We are taking things back to what they used be hundred years ago when they were the centre of communities.”
Ex-Icebergs chef Sam Bull is taking care of the menu and Redfern artists feature front and centre in the decor.
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