Bellevue Hotel

Classic Paddington pub the Bellevue has been given a new lease of life following its recent acquisition by advertising guru John Singleton. Gone is the Damien Pignolet-inspired dining room at the back and instead, the food has moved upstairs and is now served in a more casual environment – perhaps the most informal in the entire suburb. An outdoor dining area, a rich mahogany bar with dark brown leather stools and whiskey tasting room have been added in a move that is sure to stir up the area’s die-hard local drinkers. The new menu includes a chicken and white truffle pie ($17), chorizo and prawn paella ($15) and Manchego, ham and cornichon toasties ($7.50). There’s also a burger and chips ($18.50) and a range of mixed boards – vegetarian, seafood, meat and mixed ($30–$35) – alongside a good spread of cheese ($16.50). There are five whites, five reds and a rosé on the wine list and all are available for $9 a glass or $42 a bottle. Talk about simplicity – it’s a simple game of choose your favourite variety and hope for the best when all wines are priced exactly the same. Well, not all wines – its $125 a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, and that’s pretty good on the Paddo price scale.