Cosy booths, excellent seafood, dry-aged meats and Guinness on tap are just some of the highlights at this glamorous new space.
The hospitality group behind Eau de Vie, Mjolner and Nick & Nora’s unveils its grandest project yet this Thursday when luxe dining room The Sanderson opens at Beneficial House on George Street in the CBD.
Speakeasy Group co-owner Sven Almenning said the handsome Georgian revival building seemed to be the right fit for a venue named after his business partner, Greg Sanderson.
“I’ve been pushing for [a venue] to be named after him for so long. He didn’t want it, but it feels right for this venue,” Almenning says.
The Sanderson’s plush booths, rich blue walls and globe lights feel as authentic to the building as its heritage-listed windows and columns.
Design outfit Studio Y also added some modern touches, including a dry-ageing space that throws off an orange hue, courtesy of a wall of rock-salt tiles. A fabric-rimmed light-fitting features in the private dining room.
Head chef James Green (Icebergs, Otto) brings seafood skills from his time as head chef at North Bondi Fish, with dry-aged coral trout with native tamarind curry butter and Moreton Bay bug with trout roe both on the opening menu.
Aside from seafood, diners can order an Angus flat iron steak, wagyu rump cap or sirloin on the bone to be cooked on the large grill, Green says.
The chef also spent time in the kitchen of Momofuku Toronto, so expect the occasional Asian ingredient to pop up.
And then there’s just the plain unexpected. A “carbonara” eclair with black pepper and chive features on the entree list, for example.
It wouldn’t be a Speakeasy venue without a few classic cocktails, but Almenning is particularly excited about The Sanderson bar offering Guinness on tap.
Green has also picked up on it, weaving the beer into his menu: “We have a sticky-date pudding on the menu with Guinness and goat’s milk yoghurt.”
If you’re something stronger to drink, the newly opened Eau de Vie is downstairs.
Open Tue-Sat lunch and dinner.
285 George Street (enter via Wynyard Lane), 02 7225 5559, thesanderson.com.au
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Scott Bolles writes the weekly Short Black column in Good Food.From our partners
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