Gowings Bar & Grill
The new QT Sydney takes a sophisticated, New York City loft approach, and its restaurant is no exception. Robert Marchetti (ex-Neild Avenue) has created a menu, big in both size and ambition. We commence with the signature entrée, the Beer Steamed Prawn Cocktail ($18). Three Crystal Bay prawns are perched upon a gigantic glass bowl set on crushed ice, and served with a gravy boat of wasabi and cognac seafood sauce and a ‘cocktail’ of shrimp and iceberg. While it’s tasty, you’re better off with the Hot Spanner Crab Cakes ($19), cooked golden and packed with flavour. The Yellowfin Tuna ($44) was not pink as ordered, but the heavenly, citrus topping of grape tomatoes, fennel and young coriander saved the day. They’ve perfected the Darling Downs Rib Eye ($44); it comes ‘with condiment’ but is so mouth-watering, it needed nothing but a squeeze of the lemon it’s actually served with. For dessert you may be tempted by the deconstructed apple crumble Apple Flavours ($19) but the Dark Chocolate Crème Brûlée ($14) with marinated cherries won my heart. Sometimes less is more; and although the QT is the Dubai of hotels, it is possible to go in and look beyond the shimmering lights and antique furniture and find her inner-beauty.
Gowings Bar & Grill
Level 1, 49 Market Street, Sydney
Ph: (02) 8262 0062 www.qtsydney.com.au
Modern Australian $$$$
