Pellegrino
Pellegrino
A.P Bakery
The new Hollywood Quarter precinct of Surry Hills is filled with restaurants, bars, galleries and fashion spots, and a recent activation designed to bring it some Hollywood-style attention.
“We set up Hollywood Quarter because Surry Hills used to be called Little Hollywood with Paramount Pictures, Fox Studios and Hotel Hollywood, so it’s an ode to that,” says Julian Cincotta, executive chef at Butter. “You can be 24 hours in the precinct with things [always] going on, so basically we’re just bringing everyone together under a banner to go, ‘Hey look at us, we’re a world class place.’”
There have been plenty of parties celebrating the launch, including Butter’s recent Not For General Consumption events which included DJs spinning late into the night. But even after the launch festivities die down, Hollywood Quarter will remain a 24-hour destination within Surry Hills. To get you better acquainted, Cincotta has shared a few unmissable places to check out.
Pellegrino 2000
The new Italian joint from chef Dan Pepperell, Pellegrino 2000 features a moody basement for dining, but Cincotta recommends snagging a stool on the footpath for a pre-dinner snack and aperitif.
“Definitely a Negroni,” he says. “They’ve got some sick wines there and standing out on the street you see some hustling and bustling going by at about 5.30pm before you go to dinner.”
Grab a couple of small plates such as the crudo de mare or the bresaola and start your evening right.
Nel
In typical Hollywood style, Nel is all about creating a sense of drama in a dining experience. Across ever-changing degustations, chef Nelly Robinson balances spectacle with conceptual and inventive menus.
“He basically does themed dinners which are theatrical,” Cincotta says. “The one he’s got on now is The Story of Christmas. It’s always themed to take people on a journey of fun, theatrical food downstairs in a basement.”
Hotel Hollywood and Harpoon Harry’s
For post-dinner drinks and entertainment, Cincotta recommends nightlife staples Hotel Hollywood and Hotel Harry (aka Harpoon Harry’s).
“Hollywood is a pub bar and they always have a drag queen show or drag bingo or something – they’ll have a performance which is really fun to watch,” Cincotta says. “At Harpoon Harry’s, downstairs is their bar and they normally have some DJs or bands upstairs, which is really fun to see. They have snacks, too, but it’s primarily a drinking place.”
The Soda Factory
Through the secret door of what looks like a 1950s-era Coca Cola machine is The Soda Factory. Part American diner, part late-night dance floor, you’ll find hot dogs, burgers and signature cocktails alongside plenty of all-night entertainment.
“You wanna dance off all that drinking and eating,” says Cincotta. “They’ve always got good live bands till 10pm and they have a DJ on till 3am, playing cool tunes – disco, house and that sort of thing.”
Ace Hotel
If you’re after a nightcap, Cincotta recommends heading to the lobby bar at Ace Hotel for a menu of wine and cocktails created by booze guru Mike Bennie of P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants.
“It’s a hotel bar but it’s actually really nice because of the heritage of the building,” says Cincotta. “It’s a cool, fun lounge – it’s modern chic. They’ve done really well with the fit-out.”
A.P Bakery
If you crash at Ace Hotel, you’ll be right across from Cincotta’s favourite morning-after meal at legendary A.P Bakery, located on the Paramount House rooftop.
“The fermented potato bread with bacon and hot sauce is sick,” Cincotta says. “There’s LP’s brisket pies, and they do amazing breads and pastries too.”
In need of a hangover meal? Head here before you go anywhere else.
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with HQ Sydney.
25 Jul 2023
25 Jul 2023
25 Jul 2023
25 Jul 2023