Astral *NEW*

As a non-gambler the Star City Casino rarely registers on my horizon, but after dining at Astral, I’d mark it as the venue for one of Sydney’s must-do experiences. Skip the flashing lights by parking in Pyrmont Street (take lots of change) and enter through the hotel lifts. It’s a comfortable, elegant dining room set off by the dazzling view of the sunset reflected in a city reduced to a diorama. Order ala carte ($105/ 3 courses) or try a tasting menu (vegetarian also available) ranging from $125 (without wine) to a high rolling $1000. Talented sommelier Paul Gardner (ex-Aria) makes the matching wine packages (starting at $85) well worth doing for his presentation of the wines alone. The dishes of Chef Sean Connolly are impressive. Dish of the night went to his Angus Tenderloin served on a sensual bed of confit Portobello mushroom, dripped with garlic butter; but the soup of Smoked Ocean Trout with yoghurt jelly, matched perfectly with a 2005 Vouvray Marc Brédif, made me smile. The additional cheese course ($15/head) is well worth a look with 16 perfectly ripe international and local cheeses to choose from. A smoker’s terrace completes the package.

Astral
Level 17, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont (1800) 700 700
Modern French $$$$