After six months of extensive renovations, The Paddington Inn opened its doors last Friday the 9th of September at 4pm with head chef Justin Schott, new dining room and bar and new interiors by renowned Sydney designer George Livissianis.
The Paddington Inn is the latest venue in what is being called ‘the renaissance of Paddington’ as a flood of new restaurants open in the area. It is also coincides with 30 years of operation by family-owned hospitality group, Solotel.
Situated on the prominent William and Oxford Street corner, The Paddington Inn is one of the most iconic pubs in Sydney with a rich history of quality food and drinks. In the late 80s to mid-90s, The Paddington Inn heralded an age of modern bistro dining in Sydney and saw a swag of renowned Sydney chefs including Steve Manfredi, Paul Merrony and a young Matt Moran spend time in its kitchen.
Fast forward 20 years and up-and-coming head chef, Justin Schott, who has come to the stoves via Rockpool and Kitchen by Mike, has created a forward-thinking menu that is all about great produce from the season, cooked well.
Schott is excited about the new direction for The Paddington Inn’s dining. “I like simple and distinctive flavours and have created a menu that is driven by seasonality and a desire to be uncomplicated and flavoursome.
“The new kitchen will be open plan so diners will see it all going on. I can’t wait to get moving and add to the innovative food history of the Paddington Inn!” says Schott.
The new a la carte restaurant at the back of the hotel will see menu items such as chargrilled Fremantle octopus with grilled fennel and spicy nduja, a whole roasted Thirlmere duck with fermented red cabbage, or an 850g Rangers Valley rib-eye made to share. Interesting small plates like brussels sprouts with miso, or potato bake fries with burnt onion mayo round out the dining experience.
The front bar menu nods to modern-day pub food, such as a new wave fish and chips with pickled onions, and salt cod pikelets with chickpeas and shallots. Jaffles, chips with malt vinegar, and the quintessential beef burger topped with pickles and jack cheese will keep the guests happy pre- and post-stadium visits, or alongside an after-work drink.
The drinks list is equally exciting with award-winning Solotel Group Sommelier, Matt Dunne, fashioning a wine list that celebrates the latest trend for more low-intervention wine interspersed with thought-provoking styles from across the globe, including an eclectic mix of iconic and next generation producers. Wines from the home state of NSW will also be a focus.
Cocktails from Solotel Group Bars Manager, Jeremy Shipley, also get top billing with aperitif-styles, featuring Australian vermouths, a highlight. The menu will include fresh, seasonal garnishes and dehydrated fruits, plus a roll-call of cocktail favourites such as negronis and tom collins using small-batch Australian gins and whiskies.
The new interiors by Livissianis (The Dolphin Hotel, Apollo, Cho Cho San), with Solotel Creative Director Anna Solomon, bring back the original character of the building.
“The intention was to celebrate the Paddington terrace. We wanted to recreate the sense of a darker, more traditional front bar, using heavier materials that mirror the entrance and traditional living rooms you would see in the front of a Paddo terrace. The dining room is reflective of the modern addition to the terrace, where you would usually find the kitchen, casual dining or family room,” says Solomon.
The dining room also features a striking artwork by Dutch artist, Christiane Spangsberg, called ‘How Strangers Meet’, commissioned especially for the hotel.
A 20-seat private dining room opens later this month and the dining room will also be available for private functions in the lead up to Christmas.
Solotel owner, Bruce Solomon says: “When the Paddington Inn was bought 30 years ago it marked the beginning of Solotel, which is now one of the leading hospitality groups in Australia. I am so excited to now relaunch The Paddington Inn Bar & Dining, a truly amazing venue that I’m sure will continue to serve the people of Paddington and the Eastern Suburbs outstanding food and drinks for many more years to come.”
For further information, restaurant enquiries and bookings, please visit
http://www.paddingtoninn.com.au
The Paddington Inn will be open from 4pm Friday, September 9 for lunch and dinner seven days.
The Paddington Inn
338 Oxford Street
Paddington 2021
The Paddington Inn: Facebook / Instagram
by Arrnott Olssen
Editor Rogue Homme
