The jewel in the gastronomic crown of the redeveloped $48 million Bondi Pavilion opens its doors on Wednesday, March 8. And while the Bondi Beach Promenade may have missed out on summer, its late arrival has its perks.
Cirrus Dining head chef Chris Benedet wrapped up at the Barangaroo-capped restaurant in February, just in time to join Promenade for its launch.
Scott Brown, director of Promenade House owner Made Hospitality, said the combination of Benedet as executive chef and former Flying Fish executive chef Stephen Seckold as culinary director provides the necessary two-pronged approach. to carry out the Promenade brief.
Picked mud crab, green mango, chilli and perilla leaf. Photo: Jiwon Kim
“Initially we were heading towards the Mediterranean, but it gets a bit boring,” says Brown.
“We wanted to broaden the scope of the menu, so the brief became more about what you want to eat when you’re next to the beach, and that could be a snapper curry or a plate of pasta.”
Promenade’s opening menu includes mud crab and green mango on perilla leaf, sesame bug toast and whole John Dory, with plenty of room for carnivores with a tibia stew of beef and a wagyu sirloin with sambal butter and lemon.
Calamarata with squid ink, pippies, jamon XO. Photo: Jiwon Kim
“I really like pee with squid ink calamarata [pasta], jamon XO and lemon juice. It’s like a Southeast Asian version of XO pee,” says Brown.
Promenade has few strings to its bow, aside from the view of the sandy Bondi Beach. The exterior is a casual beach-side restaurant, while the interior is more luxurious, with plump seating and private dining rooms with monikers such as The Dunes and The Grotto. Promenade also has its own kiosk.
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“We want it to be a place that locals are proud of, where they feel comfortable eating regularly and want to show off to friends and family,” Brown said.
House Made Hospitality is one of Sydney’s fastest growing hotel groups, having launched seven sites in three years (including Circular Quay’s sprawling Hinchcliff House and Bondi’s brand new Rancho Seltzo).
Open Wed-Sat 11.30am-11pm; Sun 11:30am-10pm. Kiosk every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Boutique 4, Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach, promenadebondibeach.com
. Walk Bondi Beach opens its doors flag Bondi redeveloped millions dollars
