This week's food scene is a bustling mix of new openings, pop-up events, and special dining experiences. From lasagne nights to Greek banquets, there's something for every taste. Here's a curated selection of the most intriguing food news, with a healthy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
The Lasagne Series: A Culinary Adventure
The Sunday-night lasagne series at Chiswick is a unique dining experience that's sure to delight. For $55, you get a slice of lasagne, garlic focaccia, dressed leaves, and tiramisu. The best part? The lasagne and chef change each week, offering a different culinary adventure. This is a great way to explore the diverse talents of local chefs and indulge in a delicious, ever-changing dish. I think this concept is particularly fascinating because it showcases the creativity and versatility of Australian cuisine. It's a fun way to support local talent and enjoy a unique dining experience.
Elizabeth Hewson's Pop-Up: A Taste of Sonoma
Elizabeth Hewson, the mastermind behind the popular Saturday Night Pasta, is bringing her culinary magic to Carriageworks Farmers Market on June 20. Together with Sonoma, she'll be baking Dirty Martini focaccia, bread and butter pudding (made with Sonoma croissants), and a croissant stuffed with apple crumble and custard. This pop-up is a great opportunity to try Hewson's signature dishes in a more casual setting. I think it's a brilliant idea to bring her expertise to a farmers market, offering a unique twist on traditional market fare.
Corner 75's Friday Lunch Service: A Charming Escape
Corner 75 is adding a Friday lunch service, and I couldn't think of a more charming dining room to round out the working week. This is a great addition to the neighborhood, offering a delightful escape from the daily grind. I'm particularly excited about the opportunity to try their dishes in a more relaxed setting, allowing me to savor the flavors and appreciate the ambiance.
Chinese Wine Tasting with Leqi Liu: A Cultural Experience
Famelia is hosting a special wine tasting with Leqi Liu, the winemaker behind Tinnyu wines from the Yunnan region. This is a unique opportunity to explore Chinese wines and learn about the cultural significance of wine in China. I think this event is fascinating because it showcases a lesser-known aspect of the wine world. It's a great way to expand my palate and appreciate the diversity of global wine cultures.
Disco Yum Cha: A Fun Night Out
Disco Yum Cha is returning to North Bondi Fish from June 6 to August 1, offering set menus, spritzes, and a bottomless option. This is a fun and interactive dining experience, perfect for a night out with friends. I think it's a great way to enjoy a variety of dishes in a casual setting, and the bottomless option is a nice touch for those who want to indulge.
Le Frerot's Specials: A French Feast
Le Frerot, a Potts Point French dining room, is offering specials most days of the week. On T-Bone Tuesdays, you can enjoy a one-kilogram steak and bottomless fries for $99, designed to share between two. This is a great deal for a high-quality French meal, and the bottomless fries are a fun twist on a classic dish. I think it's a fantastic way to celebrate a special occasion or simply indulge in a delicious French feast.
Urban Wine Walk: A Winter Warm-Up
The Urban Wine Walk is returning to Sydney this winter, with pop-up wineries in venues across the city. On August 1, you can visit Cronulla for Nashdale Lane glasses at the RSL and Dawning Day at Zinc Bar, or slightly south to Wollongong for Samantha May Wines at Juniper Bar and The Illawarra Hotel. This is a great way to explore different wineries and enjoy a variety of wines in a relaxed setting. I think it's a fantastic winter warm-up and a great opportunity to support local wineries.
Heaps Normal Health Club: A Vibey Marrickville Experience
Heaps Normal Health Club is a vibrant destination in Marrickville, offering a range of activities from Sunday jazz and pop-up dumpling bars to excellent happy hours and parties with Filipino food. This is a great way to enjoy a variety of culinary experiences in one place. I think it's a fantastic addition to the neighborhood, offering a unique and diverse dining scene.
Red Rock Deli Aperitivo Hour: A Snack Plate Experience
If you missed the Red Rock Deli aperitivo hour at White Horse, you can recreate the vibe at home by making your own perfect snack plate. Alternatively, try your hand at chef Jun Hwang's ultra-crunchy Korean fried chicken. This is a great way to enjoy the flavors of the Red Rock Deli in a more casual setting. I think it's a brilliant idea to bring the aperitivo hour home, allowing me to recreate the ambiance and enjoy the delicious flavors.
Oysters in the House: A Sydney Rock Oysters Celebration
Oysters in the House is a one-day-only celebration of Sydney rock oysters and Hunter Valley semillon, hosted by John Susman at Shell House on June 7. This is a great opportunity to indulge in the finest oysters and semillon, and I think it's a fantastic way to celebrate the best of Australian produce.
Yulli's Greek Banquet: A Cultural Journey
Yulli's, a Surry Hills favorite, is going Greek for June. On Wednesday nights, you can enjoy a $48pp banquet that starts with meze, followed by lemony cauliflower with tzatziki, tofu souvlaki, and more. The meal is finished with syrupy loukoumades for dessert. This is a great way to explore Greek cuisine and immerse yourself in a cultural journey. I think it's a fantastic way to celebrate the diversity of global cuisines.
Coming Soon: New Openings and Culinary Adventures
There's a lot of exciting news on the horizon, including Khanh Nguyen leading Bentley's new Southeast Asian grill, 15 restaurants, bars, and cafes that have closed in Sydney in 2026, The Vicar's Daughter's Scandi bakery, Kiln's cheffy potato hash, Three Blue Ducks' new restaurant inside a heritage farmhouse, Riceface's flavor-packed lunch bowls, Piqu's new Thai-ish dining room, and a Med-leaning dining room from A Baba's Place head chef. These new openings promise to bring a variety of culinary experiences to the city, and I'm excited to see what they have in store.
Missed Opportunities: Hidden Gems
There are also some hidden gems that I think are worth mentioning. Amuro's Japanese wine bar, Mensho Tokyo's second outpost in North Sydney, and Meadow Music Room's live jazz and vinyl DJs are all worth checking out. These venues offer unique and immersive experiences that are sure to delight.
In conclusion, this week's food scene is a vibrant mix of new openings, pop-up events, and special dining experiences. From lasagne nights to Greek banquets, there's something for every taste. I hope this article has inspired you to explore some of these culinary adventures and discover new flavors and experiences.
