Images: Steven Woodburn & Jason Loucas
It was Sydney’s first ever five-star lodge, and now the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, has reopened after a large $70 million renovation. There are 436 brand-new rooms, greater than 15 refreshed occasion areas and naturally, bars and eating places. Home Made Hospitality (the oldsters behind Lana and Apollonia, amongst others) are chargeable for a brand new four-venue precinct throughout the lodge.
These embody Tilda & Bar Tilda which each opened earlier this month (and are featured right here) with Delta Rue (a Vietnamese-French fusion spot) and the chilled-out rooftop Wentworth Bar additionally within the combine.
Bar Tilda
61 – 101 Phillip Avenue, Sydney www.bartilda.sydney
Instagram @bartilda.sydney
Bar Tilda’s obtained all the fitting parts—dwell nu jazz, a killer Aussie whisky checklist, nostalgic cocktails with a twist, and a lunch-till-late menu. It’s elegant however by no means snobby, the right mixture of refined but relaxed. Whether or not you’re popping in for a fast drink, hanging out over cocktails, or capping off your night time with a late-night tipple, Bar Tilda retains a little bit of Sydney’s timeless type alive with each sip, chunk, and tune.
Jason Williams, the Home Made Hospitality Director (the man behind bars like Raffles Lodge in Singapore, which made The World’s 50 Greatest Bars checklist), has curated the drinks menu alongside Head of Beverage Christian Blair (previously of Annata, Rockpool, and Eau de Vie). The showpiece? The Whisky Armoire—an attention-grabbing golden cupboard crammed with over 100 Australian whiskies.
Their whisky assortment is fairly particular, that includes uncommon finds from the ‘90s and ‘00s, prized first editions, and standout trendy releases. You’ll discover treasures just like the first-ever single malt from Sullivan’s Cove, hard-to-get South Australian Smith’s Angaston whiskies, and gems from the Starward vault. In addition they do whisky flights on customized Sydney Blue Gum tasting boards, providing a rotating choice of themed flights, from Aussie and Japanese varieties to barrel-aged picks.
Whisky is perhaps Bar Tilda’s coronary heart and soul, however the drinks checklist has much more occurring. They’ve teamed up with Archie Rose for the Martini Expertise, the place bartenders combine your martini proper at your desk from a elaborate martini cart. You may decide between Archie Rose’s Signature Dry Gin, Native Botanical Vodka, or Single Malt Whisky—or strive one among their 5 signature martinis. The Yellowbelly Martini is a must-try, with Ester Dry Gin, cucumber vermouth, hen salt, and Yellow Chartreuse—a cheeky nod to Aussie flavours.
The cocktails additionally take inspiration from iconic moments in Sixties Australia. There’s the Ringo Loves a Blueberry, with milk-washed Tanqueray No. Ten Gin, blueberry liqueur, blueberry shrub, lavender, vermouth, lemon, frosted lemon sherbet, and menthol pepper, honouring The Beatles’ 1964 tour Down Beneath. The Presidential Go to is an quaint with Michter’s Bourbon, Lagavulin Single Malt, root beer bitters, tonka bean, and orange liqueur, tipping the hat to President Lyndon Johnson’s go to to Sydney in 1966.
Curated by Blair and Head Sommelier Paul Sadler, the wine checklist showcases 30 by-the-glass choices, highlighting each up-and-coming and legendary Australian winemakers.
“Bar Tilda is all about having fun with a relaxed, luxurious ingesting expertise,” says Jason Williams. “We’ve put collectively a vibrant mixture of native drinks to indicate off what makes them particular. Whether or not you’re simply passing by way of Sydney otherwise you’re a neighborhood trying to change it up, the bar presents a energetic spot to unwind and luxuriate in the most effective of what’s pouring in our yard.”
The menu, created by precinct Government Chef Elliott Pinn, balances traditional hotel-dining favourites with choices good for a snack, late-night chunk, or a relaxing night with dwell jazz. Anticipate goodies like cacio e pepe popcorn, fries loaded with 24-month aged parmesan and bacon aioli, or share plates like uncooked tuna with inexperienced tomato and whipped cod roe. If you happen to’re after one thing extra filling, go for the signature Tilda cheeseburger with fries or the home chopped salad, which you’ll pimp with half a lobster. For a extra leisurely meal paired with wine, the Rangers Valley Black Onyx rump cap with peppercorn sauce hits the spot.
Designed by Fender Katsalidis, Bar Tilda can match 90 folks and options moody, intimate vibes with darkish burgundy partitions, dramatic stone finishes, and customized bar stools. The bar itself, made from Calacatta Viola and Hugo marble, provides a way of drama, whereas mushy lighting and desk lamps set the tone for a comfortable night time out.
Tilda
61 – 101 Phillip Avenue, Sydney www.tilda.sydney
Instagram @tildadining.sydney
Tilda, the eating house, is all about Aussie heat and hospitality. Home Made Hospitality’s Director Justin Newton says, “We hope tilda captures the essence of timeless Aussie eating. The house displays the earthy tones of the Australian panorama, and the menu shines a highlight on our greatest native producers and winemakers. The service is polished, however with that laid-back Aussie heat.”
The meals at tilda, crafted by Head Chef Nathanael Service provider (previously of Bentley and The Ledbury London), is a mix of recent aptitude with a nostalgic nod to traditional dishes, paying tribute to the constructing’s historical past. He works underneath Government Chef Elliott Pinn, who’s been main Home Made Hospitality’s different profitable venues, like Lana and Promenade Bondi Seaside.
The menu kicks off with a novel bread and butter service, offered on a butler’s tray. The spotlight? A saltbush focaccia served with mountain pepper butter, whipped macadamia, and seared Jersey milk cheese drizzled with honey. Although not extensively common in Australia but, this type of bread service is about to be a crowd favourite at tilda.
You’ll discover contemporary, native substances all around the menu. Begin with scallops served with lemon myrtle, tamarind, and coconut or crab toast topped with seaweed butter, avocado, and caviar. If you happen to’re eating solo, the spaghettini with pippies, pancetta, and white wine is ideal paired with a glass of Aussie wine.
Tilda’s grill choices showcase sustainably caught fish, together with ruby snapper, complete roasted John Dory, and Murray cod, all cooked over charcoal and served merely with lemon and olive oil or house-made sauces. For the final word indulgence, go for the blended grill, that includes ribeye and lobster paired with sides and condiments.
Sides like potato scallops with bitter cream and salt and vinegar and baked orecchiette with prosciutto and mozzarella spherical out the menu. For dessert, there’s a contemporary tackle nostalgic Aussie sweets, together with a neenish tart with Davidson plum and an upside-down pineapple cake with whisky anglaise.
The drinks menu is all about Australia too. Home Made Hospitality’s Beverage Director Jason Williams has created a cocktail checklist utilizing native substances. Highlights embody the tilda Martini, made with Archie Rose gin, dry vermouth, Ferrand orange curacao, and dry eucalyptus bitters. The wine checklist, put collectively by Beverage Supervisor Christian Blair and Sommelier Paul Sadler, options over 25 wines by the glass, showcasing a mixture of well-known Aussie producers, new faces, together with just a few worldwide choices. They’ve additionally curated a unbelievable choice of Australian whiskies.
Designed by Fender Katsalidis, the house balances understated luxurious with an Australian spirit, drawing inspiration from a traditional New York brasserie, however with an Aussie twist. Anticipate earthy tones, pure supplies, and customized items from native makers, giving the venue a distinctly Australian character. Whether or not you’re eating in the principle room or the extra intimate 12-person personal eating house, tilda’s heat, inviting vibe makes it good for any event.
Home Made Hospitality can be behind a number of different venues throughout Sydney, together with Apollonia, Grana, and Lana within the CBD, and Promenade Bondi Seaside. Later this spring, they’re set to open Island Radio and Baptist Avenue Rec. Membership in Redfern.
