Sydney's star chefs expand into casual dining

On a boat tour of Sydney Harbour recently the first thing the guide pointed out was the Opera House. The second was that inside the largest "sail" making up the iconic building was a great restaurant and it was about to change hands.

That's how intense the buzz is about the Bennelong site in Sydney. It was matched only by the level of speculation over who would succeed chef Guillaume Brahimi, who ended his tenure more than a year ago. Now one of Sydney's best-known chefs, Peter Gilmore, is taking the helm. His restaurant, Quay, is considered among the best in Australia.

Gilmore is just one of several of Sydney's star chefs expanding their businesses. "We are excited by the opportunity to run a standard-setting restaurant in a special location - one of the most recognised buildings in the world," says Gilmore, who will be working with his existing backers, the Fink Group.

While Quay is a fine-dining institution, the new restaurant will have a different focus to fit the venue. "Bennelong will have a more casual, less formal atmosphere," says Gilmore. "The food won't be as complex as it is at Quay, but will continue to celebrate great Australian produce."

Opening in June, the two-level space will encompass a dining room, a more casual bar area and a "cultured and cured" section focusing on seafood and pickled vegetables. Bennelong will open for dinner (including pre- and post-Opera House performances) and light bites every night of the week as well as lunch Friday to Sunday and a separate Sunday brunch.