Astral (UPDATED)

I found myself back in Sean Connolly’s classy domain (which boasts one of the best Sydney skyline views around) to impress a visiting vegetarian with the Vegetarian Tasting Menu ($125/head, $85/matched wines). What I didn’t expect was to enjoy this menu as much as my guest! Connolly really creates a depth of flavour that is often absent in vegetarian cuisine. The Beetroot ‘Fregola’ presented as a garden of flowers, lumps of creamy Capparis Goat Cheese and red radish slices on a vivid purplish bed of pellet-shaped pasta, was a firm favourite. His 62 Degree Hen’s Egg with Western Australian truffles was also a memorable moment. I was again swayed by the Cheese Course ($15 upgrade), and was not disappointed, adding three new international (and well ripened) cheeses to my collection of cheese memories. Dessert was a bright and pleasantly light finish ‘ Rhubarb Sorbet with ginger and orange jelly, mandarin olive oil sponge and a smear of decadent vanilla cream. The wine list has nudged up a shade in price, but you do get a wide range of excellent choices ‘ the 2003 Valminor Albarino ($75/bottle) from Rias Baixas in Spain delighted. Omnivorous companions can simultaneously enjoy a more widely ranging degustation, the Astral Tasting Menu, for the same price.

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