Nina Gravelis is far from inexperienced when it comes to Sydney’s dining scene; the restaurateur has worked with the likes of Luke Mangan, Neil Perry, and Christine Manfield in the past, and is the daughter of Fratelli Fresh boss Barry McDonald. Needless to say, she knows dining, and so her new eatery, Darlinghurst’s Exchange Restaurant & Bar shouldn’t take long to make an impact on what has already been a year of great change for Sydney’s culinary scene.
Sean Corkery, who served as Fratelli Fresh’s Executive Chef for 8 years, leads the kitchen here and has joined Gravelis in her first foray from the family’s Italian dining empire. He has designed the menu after a modern Italian restaurant with influences from famous establishments like New York’s Balthazar an London’s La Petite Maison, pushing the same ethos of simple cooking that saw him help Cafe Sopra and Fratelli Bridge Street both acquire chef’s hats in the past.
Currently, diners can expect menu highlights like wood fired Crumbed Oysters, a Mushroom & Goats Cheese Pizzetta and White & Brown Anchovy Bruschetta from the bar menu each night, while wood-fired pizza and pasta like Lobster Risotto with mushroom and caramelised leek define the main lunch and dinner menus. Mains also include a 1KG Bistecca served with potatoes, salsa verde and mix leaf salad, Roast Kingfish Collar with roasted new potatoes, and Vegetable Frittata with goats cheese, shaved zuchinni and herb salad. Sweet tooths can finish their meals with the likes of Chocolate Budino with lemon and mascarpone sorbet and Cannoli with orange mascarpone & prosecco poached strawberries.
A strong focus on wine as well as draught beer and classic cocktails are all available from the bar.
Exchange Restaurant & Bar
Address: 34 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Contact: (02) 9358 2311
Website: www.exchangerestaurantandbar.com.au
Hours: 7 days; 12pm – 10pm (bar until 12am)
Image supplied.
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