After a trip to Laurent-Perrier’s Sydney pop-up location The L-P Bar and a chat with its head chef Brendan Cato my mind kept wandering to those moments when we share champagne. These are the moments of pure indulgence that we pair with fine food and wine as we dine inside decedent restaurants. They don’t happen very often, but they can be life’s most pleasurable and memorable experiences.

I started to fondly reminisce about my own indulgent restaurant experiences”¦ about that moment you quietly gasp as a beautifully art directed dish, sparingly plated with ingredients of complementing colours and flavours, gets presented in front of you. Right then, you look up to see neighbouring tables whispering to each other as they gesture towards your beautiful plate. And then of course you and your dining mate clink champagne glasses and cheers to what will be a meal you’ll remember for years to come.

I wanted to create a Sydney city guide full of places where you could have just that kind of experience. I knew the city had to be full of restaurants of this quality so I called on Chef Brendan Cato and the good people at Laurent-Perrier Australia (who clearly understand epicurean indulgence!) to curate a Melting Butter city guide for Sydney dining indulgences.

Because sometimes, one needs to indulge in life”¦

INDULGENT SYDNEY CITY GUIDE

THE APOLLO, POTTS POINT

A simple but stylish restaurant that offers flavor filled Greek food with a contemporary edge. The owners share Greek ancestry and topnotch Sydney dining cred (Longrain, Coast and Manly Pavilion) and the result is excellent.

http://www.theapollo.com.au/

 

SEPIA, SYDNEY

The brainchild of two ex-Tetsuya’s employees sees us dining in an extravagant Manhattan steakhouse style restaurant with a twist. At Sepia you’ll find amazing seafood, highly contemporary, Japanese influenced cuisine created with careful skill and a creative order.

http://www.sepiarestaurant.com.au/

LONGRAIN, SURRY HILLS

A Sydney institution, Longrain is one of the top spots to get the freshest and finest Thai cuisine and enjoy it in a huge SoHo style converted warehouse. We love the large communal tables, and the great vibe that comes from the excellent music selection and cocktail bar.

http://longrain.com/sydney_intro.htm

THE SAILORS CLUB, ROSE BAY

Perched on the pier at Rose Bay in Sydney Harbour, sits The Sailors Club which is the reincarnation of Sydney fine-dining favourite, Pier, but now with more buzz. Think of it as Pier’s Palm Springs 60s resort collection worn by the Sydney society crowd and head there for cocktails, amazing fresh food, the yacht-like interior and the gorgeous harbour views.

http://thesailorsclub.com.au/

 

THE BRIDGE ROOM, SYDNEY

This graceful restaurant gives us a great example of modern cuisine done with a wholesome touch. The stylish surroundings complement the equally aesthetically pleasing food. You can easily see and feel an assured, understated Scandinavian quality here.

http://www.thebridgeroom.com.au/

ESTER, CHIPPENDALE

Ester is the place for wood-fire focused sharing dishes cooked by former Billy Kwong head chef, Mat Lindsay. The open kitchen brings warmness to the intimate and elegantly understated space and guests can select from the wine list that offers some excellent organic and biodynamic options.

http://www.ester-restaurant.com.au/

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