Stuyvesant’s House

LOCATION
Crows Nest is on the North Shore, across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 15 minutes from the CBD.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Like something out of a fairy story, Stuyvesant’s House is a little taste of Germany’s Black Forest right in the middle of Sydney’s north shore. Complete with chequered table cloths, dark wood interiors and authentic European cuisine, Stuyvesant’s House is a must-try for every Sydneysider. A family restaurant in all senses of the word, owners Max and Rudi Dietz learned their cooking secrets from mum and were inspired by their grandmother to develop the motto: “Good food makes good people.” It is not uncommon for four generations of families to dine regularly at this unique restaurant.

The menu is typically European and seafood is a specialty. Rudi visits the fish markets each day to source fresh produce and there are live tanks of lobster and crab out the back. Start with a pre-dinner drink accompanied by the recommended Dutch Bitterballs (made from veal and chicken). Mains include German sausages, duckling, pork knuckle, steak and seafood, and lots of different types of schnitzels. Try the popular Lobster Chantecler seasoned, pan-fried in butter, deglaced with Cognac and finished with Max’s secret sauce. If you’re dining as a group and give a day’s notice, you might even have suckling pig, venison or goose. There are reportedly some 2000 wines on offer and the German beer is available on tap. Prost!

Shelley Hepworth