Aria: Iconic fine dining on Sydney Harbour
If there’s one restaurant in Sydney we’d unequivocally label as ‘iconic’, Aria is it. Most people who haven’t been there, want to go there – and whether you’re a tourist or a local, a gourmet or someone with only the most cursory interest in fine dining, Aria is considered a must-try.
The reason is, in part, the location. Step inside the immaculate formal dining room and the view is momentarily breathtaking. Architectural design guru Alexander Tzannes created the space to take full advantage of its spectacular position on Sydney Harbour, with swathes of glass wrapping around the venue to reveal a dazzling panorama of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
The other reason every Sydneysider knows Aria, is of course, its chef. Matt Moran is Australia’s consummate celebrity chef. He works the media with the best of them, and his good natured image has won as many hearts as his food has pleased stomachs. While he’s more likely to be working on the latest cooking show than rattling the pans in Aria's state-of-the-art kitchen, Moran certainly runs a tight ship. Service is seamless, friendly and ultra-efficient – not nearly as uptight as the rather urbane decor might suggest.
So what about the food? Well – it’s very rich, very expensive and very, very enjoyable. Matt Moran is considered a pioneer of modern Australian cooking for good reason. His famously in-depth knowledge of Australian produce means that the very best seasonal ingredients available in the country are what end up on your plate. And he plates them up so exquisitely it’s almost a shame to go ploughing into them purely for your own culinary enjoyment.
But for all its artfulness, this is luscious, filling, juicy-piece-of-meat-on-a-plate fare. Start with Peking duck consommé with luxurious slivers of abalone, cured goose breast with chicken liver parfait, rhubarb and gingerbread, or the signature Kurobuta pork belly with watermelon and crackling.
For mains, the humble King George Whiting is transformed into a dish fit for royalty, stuffed with prawn and crab mousse and served with a grapefruit and tarragon beurre blanc. The spatchcock showcases Moran’s love affair with Asian flavours, poached with bok choy, cucumber, shitake mushrooms and coriander broth. After two courses and a side of the extraordinarily decadent truffled potato mash, you may well be full. But don’t let that stop you enjoying the best part of the evening.
The famed Valrhona chocolate délice with chocolate sorbet is a sight to behold, and the orange and Grand Marnier soufflé worth the 20 minute wait. Aria is renowned for having a vino list worthy of the loftiest wine snob. There are over 950 local and European wines available, and while many will suit only those with the deepest of pockets, there are plenty of lovely varietals available by the glass, and in half bottles.
HelloMetro Tip: For the ultimate fine dining with a view experience, try the eight course seasonal tasting menu, $160 per person or $260 with matching wines.
Posted by Fiona Davies
