Have a Glimpse of 10 New Sydney Restaurants 0 Likes

As the year 2015 comes to an end let us catch up with the new restaurants that came up in Sydney these past 12 months.

1. Firedoor

Firedoor presents Australia’s first fire-powered menu, eschewing efficiency and convenience to showcase the natural beauty of wood fired cooking. Its foodies are poised to rush in faster than you can say “smokin”. Located in Surry Hills, Firedoor is Australia’s first solely fire-powered restaurant. The kitchen is fitted with two ovens, four grills and a wood burning stove and its dishes are infused with the distinctive aromas of the timber chosen for fuel. The concept is the brainchild of Lennox Hastie, the British chef who spent a number of years at world-renowned Asador Etxebarri in Spain, where his fascination with coals began.

2. Harpoon Harry

Surry Hills’ 100 year-old Macquarie Hotel has relaunched as Hotel Harry, with a retro styling and a Latin theme. Chef Paul Wilson composes dishes with brio and imagination, using shredded pork and beef short rib for a burger patty and, instead of coleslaw or gherkins, filling the burger with fried shoestring potato and a guava ketchup. Start with a Cuban cocktail at the bar before heading upstairs to Paladar Dining Room where a ceviche bar and a spit roast suckling pig awaits.

3. Bang

Nicholas Gurney, co-owner of the hatted Farmhouse restaurant and Chef Tapos Singa (ex Gowings and est.) say the energy of the streets of Bangladesh is packed into the Bang dining experience – and a portion of the restaurant’s takings is donated to relief aid in Bangladesh. These are South Asian dishes like you’ve never experienced them before; from tandoori quail and a crab and duck egg omelette to cobia tartare with tapioca pappadam, Bang has hit the bullseye.

4. Black Star Pastry

Black Star’s strawberry watermelon cake has reached cult status among Sydney food bloggers for good reason: it’s instagram-worthy and completely addictive. Since opening the first Black Star outlet at Newtown over seven years ago, owner Christopher Thé has expanded with a store at Rosebery and now another at the Powerhouse Museum. The beach-themed playground cafeteria is family -friendly, complete with kids’ entertainment, and all the Black Star favourites like lamb shank pie and coffee by The Little Marionette, plus bento boxes and spaghetti meatballs for the soft ones.

5. Tokyo Bird

Tokyo Bird is a Japanese inspired small bar located in Belmore Lane, Surry Hills, serving beers, whisky, cocktails and yakitori – chicken and other delicious morsels on skewers, cooked over charcoal Japanese style..Headed by Jason Ang (ex Gilt Lounge and Sokyo) and bar manager Yoshi Onishi (ex Stitch and Victoria Room), Tokyo Bird aims to combine the best of Tokyo’s yakitori-ya and classic cocktail bars in an intimate Surry Hills laneway venue.

6. Milano Torino

Restaurateur and photographer Dario Milano has combined his love of food and photography at Rosebery newcomer, Milano Torino. The succinct menu features Northern Italian cuisine with a focus on regional food from Piedmont. Hand cut tagliatelle with mussels and Bra cheese risotto, coupled with braised salted cod and an endive and gorgonzola salad make the perfect Italian feast. The location may be a little off the beaten track but the food is worth the extra effort.

7. Subcontinental

Tucked below Longrain in Surry Hills, Subcontinental is the latest venture from restaurateur Sam Christie (The Apollo and Cho Cho San). Former Longrain head chef Victor Chung, a native of Kolkata, takes inspiration from right across the Indian subcontinent. Standout share plates include the house-made pakora, dipped in a tamarind and chilli chutney and a crispy pork Sri Lankan curry with pickled eggplant.

8. Cheeky Burger

Cheeky Burger’s all about root beer, peanut butter and jam shakes and demonstrating your athletic prowess on a dartboard out the back. As if there wasn’t enough to like about this Oxford Street joint, they offer half price burgers on Tuesdays. The cheeky cheap deals and low key vibe are a winning combination in a location that’s screaming out for some action.

9. Raita Noda

With just eight seats and a 10-course set menu, this Japanese restaurant appeals to serious foodies who value a chef’s expertise. Perch at the counter (there are no tables) and let Noda and his son, Momotaro, cook and serve a ten-course omakase (chef’s selection) that will make any seafood lover swoon. This isn’t a place for a pre-theatre meal – each seating takes between two and three hours to serve. Remember bookings are essential.

10. Fratelli Parlamento

The Fratelli Fresh Empire remains one of Sydney’s most beloved restaurant groups and city centre newcomer, Fratelli Parlamento, is no exception. Like its Café Sopra siblings, Fratelli Parlamento takes the airs out of fine dining, managing to meld casual and sophisticated notes through its quintessentially Italian ambiente. The kitchen turns out classic dishes of prosciutto di Parma with figs and bocconcini, linguini with lemon, chilli and pangrattato and quattro formaggio (four cheese) pizza. Dining at Fratelli Parlamento doesn’t encourage you to take mincing bites of measured portions. It exhorts you to dig in, wash it down with a glass of Sangiovese and enjoy.