Sydney Restaurant News - 22 Oct 2008

New classes at Sydney Seafood School

Like fish but don't what the hell to do with it or are too scared to try? You're in safe hands with the crew at the Sydney Seafood School. Learn everything from how to cook a crab Singapore style to grilling simple fillets of fish. There are regular guest chef classes too featuring Christine Manfield, Matt Moran and Sean Connolly. For all classes leading up until Christmas, log on to the Sydney Fish Market and click on the link to the Sydney Seafood School.

Etch

Becasse chef/owner Justin North's new restaurant is set to open in the last week of October on the old Mint site at the Hotel Intercontinental. Blue Mountains design group Studio Ham is creating the space utilising local artists. "It's going to be very quirky with lots of different sculptures and pictures and lampshades and things," says North. "The idea is to focus on sustainable food using local producers with simple dishes that let the produce shine through. The restaurant will be open all day but it's not so much about tapas, which has been done to death, it's more the one menu that'll run all day from midday onwards with appetisers ranging from $6 to $8, nothing over $20 for entrees and nothing over $35 for mains, plus cheeses and desserts." North says that customers will be able to breeze in for a glass of wine and some cheese or steak and chips, or stay for a whole degustation. James Metcalf, who has been at Becasse for seven years, will step up and head the kitchen at Etch. Hotel Intercontinental, 62 Bridge St, Sydney, 2000.

Pier Tasting Room closing

Pier's Tasting Room will be closing on 3 Nov 2008 to be absorbed back into the restaurant proper. The good news is there are more tables for Pier fans; the bad news is no more of Greg Doyle, Grant King and Katrina Kanetani's outstanding tapas-style menu. Pier will close for two days to renovate on 3 and 4 Nov. Get in quick for a last hoorah. 594 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay 2029. (02 9327 6561).

Centennial Parklands' new restaurant

Mark Best (chef at Marque) will work with restaurant group AIH as culinary consultant at their flagship restaurant, Centennial Parklands Dining, opening Friday 17 Oct. The menu will include ham and pickled onions, chickpea soup with a 64-degree duck egg, and a wagyu tartare with French fries. Grand Drive (Cnr Parkes Drive), Centennial Park 2021. (02 9360 3355).

Benn and Wild open shop

Teaming up with George and Andrea De Costi of De Costi Seafoods, ex Tetsuya's chef Martin Benn and his partner Vicki Wild are set to open up a New York-style dining space as well as a wine bar where you can have a few snacks or eat from the entire menu. The pair are planning an unintimidating, casual room offering contemporary Australian with a modern twist on the classics. "It's always been my dream to build a restaurant from the ground up," says Benn. 201 Sussex St, Sydney 2000.

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