After more delays than Sydney's light rail, Aria-trained chef Greg Anderson's Manly mega-venture is finally opening on Friday, September 7..

Manly Greenhouse, the 400-seat venue some pundits are already calling Manly's answer to Coogee Pavilion, is a massive and impressive investment by Anderson and his partner Patricia Nunes (they also own Sails on Lavender Bay).

"We're opening the ground floor and the rooftop, the mid-level grill is still about six weeks away," Anderson says.

The more casual ground level has wines on tap and the sort of food you'd love to eat after a dip across the road.

"There'll be a burrata with rhubarb puree, squid ink spaghetti, deep-fried school prawns, and there's a pizza oven," Anderson says.

"We're also doing house highball cocktails, there' a really lovely one with wattleseed, cola, red wine and spice."

The rooftop is a no-kids zone with a list of grown-up cocktails. The rooftop food menu is still a work in progress.

"We're thinking of including really, really good toasted sandwiches," Anderson adds.

Popular design shop Luchetti Krelle (Banksii, Sake etc) has done the interiors, and there are familiar faces with general manager Craig Hemmings (Chin Chin) and executive chef Colm Kennedy (Hugos Manly).

Anderson appears relaxed about the opening, despite the massive delays.

"Some of it was structural and other stuff. And things like having to move a fire hose three inches to the left," he explains.

Open daily from 11.30am; rooftop Thurs-Mon 3pm-midnight.

Manly Greenhouse, 36-38 South Steyne, Manly, ​manlygreenhouse.com.au