LOCATION
Sydney Wharf at Pyrmont, opposite Star City.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
I don’t know what it would be like to own an island, but I’d imagine that dining at Ripples Sydney Wharf would, in some way, reflect the experience. Not because the restaurant is located in a remote destination – quite the opposite actually; Ripples is situated right in the heart of the city. It’s also not because you are presented with unmitigated water views from every angle – which you are. The reason for my assertion is because this Sydney eatery possesses something of an elegant, intimate, escapist atmosphere. Set between imposing apartment blocks and the dazzling, ravine-like city landscape, in a grand canyon of water and yachts, Ripples allows you to sit back, watch the city nightlife go by and feel divinely exclusive while doing so.
Of course this sensation is not restricted to night-time dining; the restaurant also offers a first-class spectator seat to Sydney’s life for breakfast and lunch, with the added benefit of offering an almost impossible serving of spacious peace and quiet – and an opportunity to admire its chairs. Reflecting the colours of life rings that hang on the pier, with back rests modelled on the keel of a maxi-yacht, these Italian-designed masterpieces give the restaurant a cosmopolitan and contemporary feel. The Ripples menu suits its surroundings by following the seasons with a modern Australian-meets-French-bistro theme, and offering spectacular dishes like Yamba prawn tart with creamed leek, fetta cheese and tomato salsa for entree, and Sydney Wharf’s signature bouillabaisse, garlic bread and rouille for main. The service – attentive but unobtrusive – is the perfect accompanianment to your meal. And while the wine list, which is currently being composed by an award-winning sommelier, promises to be spectacular, Ripples is one of the few restaurants of this calibre to allow BYO.
Agnes Gajewska, June 2009
DETAILS
Sister restaurant to Ripples at Milsons Point and ripples at Chowder Bay, ripples at Sydney Wharf is an exciting project for owner, Grant Andronicus of Andronicus Coffee fame. Positioned within the Ripples group, owned by Andronicus’s long term friend Bill Drakopoulos, Ripples at Sydney Wharf will boast the same award-winning philosophy
Leading architect Sydney Koh has designed the Mostly alfresco restaurant space to complement the wharf environment. A modern glass structure houses an open plan kitchen and 20-metre marble bar with stool seating, perfect for locals wanting to make a quick stop for lunch or dinner. The deck area makes the most of the harbour fronted environment, with comfortable modern seating and dark navy tables to blend in with the nautical surrounds.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Head Chef, Richard Park serves bistro fare with a French twist. Highlights on the menu include duck leg confit served with frisee salad, hazelnuts and a seeded mustard dressing, baby chicken baked in a crock with garlic, herbs, lemon and truss tomatoes and a roast gold band snapper on a fresh pea, parsley and lemon risotto. An imminent liquor license will boast an extensive wine list however the restaurant will also offer a BYO option, a rare treat for guests at such a prime harbourside locale.
RIPPLES IS NOW FULLY LICENSED BUT WILL ALLOW BYO WINE ONLY - $8 CORKAGE.
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