Surry Hills Archives - Page 10 of 15

Casual Dining for Budget-Conscious Foodies: Surry Hills’ Affordable Eats

From no-frills noodle joints to hole-in-the-wall sandwich spots, Surry Hills offers plenty of casual dining for budget-conscious foodies. Whether you’re a local looking for a new go-to lunch spot or a visitor eager to experience the area without breaking the bank, read on for our picks of the tastiest thriftiest grub Surry Hills has to offer.

Read: Lune Croissanterie Announces Darlinghurst and Martin Place Openings

Malibu

budget-conscious foodies — Photo credit: Ruo Liu/Google Maps

Tucked away on Foster Street, Malibu is a charming little sandwich shop making big waves in the local food scene especially for budget-conscious foodies. Despite its modest size, this cosy eatery serves up hearty sandwiches loaded with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Their ‘big’ sandwich options pile layers of market-fresh produce and premium meats between slices of flaky, freshly baked bread. Favourites like the schnitzel feature juicy pounded meat cutlets with crisp baby cos lettuce on fluffy white bread. The roasted veggie sandwiches burst with hummus and seasonal produce sourced straight from nearby farmers.

In addition to their famous sandwiches, Malibu also offers homemade soups and sides that customers rave about. Their smooth and creamy potato salad, tangy celeriac coleslaw, and irresistibly herbed mayo have diners asking for take-home jars.

Malibu is open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Spice I Am

No tour of Surry Hills’ acclaimed Thai food scene is complete without a visit to Spice I Am. Helmed by chef Sujet Saenkham, regarded as one of Sydney’s most gifted Thai culinary talents, this vibrant restaurant serves up an extensive menu with over 80 items to choose from.

Saenkham and his team of skilled chefs prepare each dish from scratch, by hand, to extract maximum freshness and flavor.Signature creations like the fabulous Massaman Curry Duck and classic Thai Eggplant Stir Fry with pungent garlic and shrimp paste are longtime customer favourites.

Photo credit: Hamid Fardoost/Google Maps

With Saenkham overseeing all the kitchens, diners can be assured of the utmost quality and authenticity in every bite. Meticulously trained, his chefs handcraft complex spice pastes and sauces that perfectly balance the five taste senses in Thai cuisine – sour, sweet, salty, bitter and spicy.

They are open for both dine-in and takeaways Wednesday to Sunday, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Pizza Frita 180

Pizza Fritta 180 transports diners to the streets of Naples in Italy with their authentic pizza fritta just like owner Luigi Esposito’s nonna used to make. This restaurant specialises in the three most iconic Neapolitan pizza styles: Margherita, Marinara, and light-as-air Pizza Fritta.

Esposito recalls his early days selling these piping hot fried pizzas with his nonna on the bustling avenues of Naples. With Pizza Fritta 180, Esposito has bottled the magic of classic Neapolitan street food that he used to enjoy with his grandmother.

Photo credit: Pizza Fritta 180/Google Maps

Their handcrafted oven was specially made in Italy using bricks from Pompeii and lava stone sourced from Mount Vesuvius itself. This imparts a deliciously smoky, charred flavour that’s quintessentially Italian.

They serve their pizzas daily, with takeaway and delivery options besides dine-in.

Gogyo

Tucked away in Surry Hills, Gogyo brings Tokyo-style ramen house vibes to Sydney. This lively Japanese eatery, founded by ramen legend Shigemi Kawahara of IPPUDO fame, specialises in lip-smackingly good broths and noodles.

Gogyo’s tonkotsu ramen is a perennial favourite, the rich and creamy pork bone broth packing serious umami flavour. Each ingredient stands out beautifully yet blends harmoniously with the springy noodles. Other hits include crispy karaage chicken and Japanese-style spring rolls, perfect pairings for the cocktails on their buzzing bar menu.

According to Kawahara’s ramen philosophy, Gogyo offers “drinks to start, tasty small plates, and ramen to finish.” With its rocking ambience and meticulously crafted noodle dishes, it’s easy to taste the passion and expertise behind Gogyo’s intensely flavoured ramen creations.

Gogyo serves their iconic Japanese dishes starting at 11:30 a.m. daily.

Read: Takam Opens Restaurant, Brings Filo Favourites to Darlinghurst

Wherever your affordable food adventures may take you in Surry Hills, you are sure to walk away satisfied. Surry Hills proves budget-conscious foodies that they don’t have to spend big to eat well.

Published 3-August-2023

Taylor Square Landmark in Surry Hills to Get a Vertical Addition

Photo Credit: D/2023/119

An iconic Taylor Square landmark in Surry Hills is set to get a vertical addition if plans for the redevelopment are given the green light.

David Mitchell Architects designed an extension to the historic building’s facade that creates a green three-storey addition to the red brick structure. The extension aims to revitalise the iconic site by adding more uses and opportunities for commercial, retail, creative and cultural activities.

Archon Property Pty Ltd is behind the development after buying the property on Flinders Street for $6.85 million in 2018. Previously, plans were also filed to turn Taylor Square into a nightclub and a cycling hub, although these did not pan out.

The Flinders Street building stands on one of the oldest commercial sites in Sydney. The property is under the Oxford Street Heritage Conservation Area, but it is not part of the NSW Heritage Register, National Heritage List, Commonwealth Heritage List, National Trust Register (NSW) or the former Register of the National Estate.

Taylor Square — Photo Credit: D/2023/119

“These new land uses will be facilitated through a sensitive refurbishment of the heritage listed building, and provision of new contemporary additions above the existing buildings contributing to the streetscape and character of Oxford Street and Taylor Square,” the developer cited in its development application (D/2023/119).

“They will result in retail ground plane activation and a publicly-accessible rooftop restaurant and bar.”

The Taylor Square landmark was formerly the Government Savings Bank of New South Wales and the Commonwealth Savings Bank. It was also known as the Taylor Square Hotel before it was shut down in 2008.

Published 3-May-2023

Now Open: Beau Bar from the Nomad Group in Surry Hills

Photo Credit: Beau Bar

Heads up, Surry Hills! Found in the laneway beside its bigger sibling, Nomad, and further to the back of Beau & Dough bakery, Beau Bar is now open!

Tucked in its own cosy space, Beau Bar is smaller and more intimate with about 40 seats. Decorated with huge windows, the elongated bar opened in late February and it’s the perfect setting for date nights or meet-ups with friends.

The idea was to create really trendy bar but with a more dynamic offering. Co-owner Rebecca Yazbek wanted the place to be more grown-up and even “sexier” than its siblings but the atmosphere remains refined but relaxed. While families go to Nomad for dining and busy workers, retirees or parents frequent the bakery, the bar is for the young and happening crowd.

Ged Bellis, the Nomad Group’s beverage director, takes care of the Beau Bar’s wine list ranges from the familiar to fancy and unusual selections from small producers. The bottles are stored in temperature-controlled cabinets to ensure their top quality.

The cocktail drink, Never Never Ginache, come highly recommended. It’s a mix of apricot brandy, orgeat, absinthe, and citrus.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beau (@beau.syd)

While the drink list is extensive, the food offered at Beau Bar is more refined. Seafood like lobster, caviar and oysters are quite big on the menu. Yazbek’s personal favourite is the raw fish tabouli, which includes fresh kingfish, tomato, burghul, olive oil, parsley and herbs, wrapped in sesame leaf and paired with manoush crackers.

Beau Bar opens seven days a week from 5:00 p.m. till late and will expand its hours to include lunch beginning March 2023. Follow their Instagram for more information.

Published 2 March 2023

Surry Hills Local Nabs Grammy Nomination Without Ever Meeting The Artist

Photo Credit: Recording Academy/Grammys/YouTube

Did you know that producer, music engineer, and Surry Hills resident George Nicholas received his first Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album without even meeting BAYNK, the artist he collaborated with during the recording sessions of “Adolescence?”

Nicholas revealed that they worked on “Adolescence” through the lockdown period and mostly discussed and exchanged materials online, via Whatsapp or emails. So, when the call for the nomination came through in November 2022, Nicholas made sure to be on the red carpet in Los Angeles in February 2023, in person with the other musicians he worked with for the album.

Recognitions are not surprising for this Surry Hills talent. The producer has won the ARIA several times before and is well-known in the electronic music community. But the Grammy nomination aligns him with some of the best in the global music business. He was up against Harry Styles’ team for the nomination and actually lost to them.

Nonetheless, working with BAYNK has been a great experience as he admires his “rich and warm and emotive” musical elements.

Nicholas was once a part of Seekae, a Sydney electronic group that has toured the world to perform for fans of the electronic genre. Seekae was active for nearly a decade before disbanding in 2016 and then he shifted to producing music.

He describes his job as finding the right balance of how the music can “translate on the sound systems” and should sound good whether it’s played in the car, on the radio, on the iPhone, or at the club. His work happens during the later stages of an album’s completion.

Nicholas said he had not expected to win and he’s simply thrilled to be at the Grammys to meet some of the world’s best in music, including Mike Stent, the music engineer of Styles album.

Published 11 February 2023

Demolition and Redevelopment Lodged for Salvation Army Sites in Surry Hills

The Salvation Army has lodged a proposal to demolish its old buildings in Surry Hills and redevelop the site on Campbell Street as part of its strategy to become sustainable for the long term.

The old buildings, dating back to 1910 and 1913, are not heritage-listed despite being located in the Reservoir Street and Fosterville Heritage Conservation Area.

However, the development application, D/2022/1148, cited that the brick facade on 81-83 Campbell Street will be restored and kept intact. The other building on 85 Campbell Street has extensive water damage, thus the plan to demolish it.

Salvation Army Surry HIlls — Photo Credit: D/2022/1148/CityofSydney

Salvos outlined in the DA that the redevelopment is part of its “Inner City Project renewal program of social mission services” that aims to improve the quality of its outreach to people in need. The organisation notes that most of its existing facilities are “no longer fit for purpose and require excessive maintenance.”

Currently, the Surry Hills buildings are commercial properties but these sites fund the Salvos’ broader charitable programs. Hence, the redevelopment will be “critical importance to the delivery of this social infrastructure.”

The Salvation Army projects the cost of construction at $24.5 million and will include high-quality commercial spaces that will provide long-term and sustainable income for the organisation.

Once completed, spaces in the building will be rented to small and medium-scale enterprises.

School of Last Resort? Oasis College in Surry Hills Helps Vulnerable Kids Earn their HSC

Beyond the cafes and shops in Surry Hills is Oasis College, a small but unique high school that helps vulnerable and troubled kids earn their HSC.

Established by the Salvation Army in 2018, Oasis College might be described as the “school of last resort” for young students who struggle with learning because of behavioral issues, trauma, a difficult home life, or a community that has basically given up on them.

With less than 20 Year 11 and Year 12 students a year, the school employs three teachers and a youth worker who guides the kids and ensures that they have programs in art or sports that help develop self-respect and self-discipline. The school also offers psychological support for troubled youths.

“We believe that every student has a right to an education that is responsive to their needs and learning style; we have the capacity and experience to deliver this,” per the Oasis Youth Support Network. “Students are encouraged to take part in the wide variety of programs across our network.”

Oasis College Surry Hills — Photo Credit: Google Maps

Despite the students’ backgrounds, at least 75 per cent leave Oasis College with their HSC. Essentially, this means they can pursue other paths to success that will turn their life around.

One such promising student is Emma Hill, 18, who is training to compete in her first amateur fight as a boxer. No less than Johnny Lewis, who trained six world champions, is mentoring Emma.

The 18-year-old said that whilst she liked school, she had always struggled in a traditional school setting. Her life changed when she entered Oasis College, where she not only earned her HSC but also qualified for VET in hospitality, barista, first aid, and construction.

Apart from her first fight, Emma is moving on to study and earn credentials as a future youth worker to inspire and guide kids who are going through what she has experienced.

Enrolment for the 2023 school term at Oasis College Surry Hills has opened. Phone 0400 602 380 or email oasiscollegesurryhills@salvationarmy.org.au for enquiries.

Sydney Modern Project Opening Celebrations to Run for 9 Days

A nine-day celebration will be underway for the long-awaited opening of the Sydney Modern Project, which transforms the iconic Art Gallery of New South Wales into a modern art museum and leisure space near Surry Hills.

Beginning Saturday, the 3rd of December 2022, the Sydney Modern Project will run free events like art exhibitions, music and performances, film screenings, guided tours, and enriching talks or forums to celebrate the completion of the new facilities meant to become Sydney’s newest landmark.

The highlight of the celebration includes a concert by Grammy-nominated international pop star Ellie Goulding, alongside Australian talents like Meg Mac and Electric Fields. Over at Woolloomooloo Bay, a nightly drone show created by Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie will leave the public in awe.

Sydney locals may plan which events they should attend by checking the different activities from 3 to 11 December. All these activities do not require pre-bookings, as guests may walk in, attend or participate.

Check Activities at the Sydney Modern Project Opening

The new art gallery, on the other hand, will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. during this nine-day celebration. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

Costing $344 million to complete, the Sydney Modern Project, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA and built by Richard Crookes Constructions, is dubbed the “most significant cultural development in the city since the opening of the Sydney Opera House nearly half a century ago.”

Over $100 million of the funding was made possible through private donors whilst the NSW Government supported the rest of the project’s cost for Infrastructure NSW.

The new building will connect to the existing Art Gallery of New South Wales by a land bridge, which has an outdoor public art garden and the best views of Sydney.

Surry Hills Startup Vexev Prepares for Global Expansion

Vexev, a medtech startup, has secured $8.5 million to upgrade its new Surry Hills facility as it prepares for global expansion.

Founders Dr John Carrol and Dr Eamon Colley are working to market and gain regulatory approval for the very first Vevex software and device in Australia and the United States.

The pair, who acquired their Ph.D. from the University of NSW in 2014, built a scanning system that could potentially be deployed in diagnostic clinics and imaging labs, and in medical settings where patients may need ongoing monitoring and care for vascular diseases.

They are developing a 3D medical imaging device that will help vascular surgeons work with more precision on their patients.

Dr Carrol said that current equipment options to help diagnose vascular disease are limited and reliant on hand-held ultrasound devices that require highly-trained and skilled medical workers.

In many cases, such equipment and expertise are lacking in regional or rural areas. Often, doctors opt to delay scanning as the final step, which may be too late for preventing diseases.

For years, doctors have been studying vascular disease and its links to blood flow in the arteries and veins. Their studies have led to the development of fluid dynamics modelling to improve clinical diagnostics.

“Vexev’s technology creates a new paradigm for low-cost, high-accuracy vascular scanning that can take place further upstream,” Dr Carrol said.

“We created an ultrasound-powered imaging robot and software platform: to automatically take fast and consistent 3D scans, to supercharge the diagnostic power of vascular clinicians, with the simple push of a button.

“We brought on a team including former F1 engineers to design the hardware and model the complex blood flows.”

Vexev’s funding comes from Neotribe Ventures, a San Francisco-based investor; imaging firms Propeller and Dovetail, and venture capital Blackbird. The medtech startup hopes to finalise their expansion by 2023.

Revitalisation Starts for Wimbo Park in Surry Hills

Much-needed upgrades have begun at Wimbo Park in Surry Hills to turn the area into a better green space for residents and visitors.

On Tuesday, the 1st of November 2022, a groundbreaking ceremony took place at Wimbo Park, which has tripled in size since the demolition of the Olivia Gardens apartment building to make way for the construction of the light rail tracks. The groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by students from Bourke Street Public School.

Since the construction, the City of Sydney had been planning to upgrade the open space with ideas drawn from a series of community consultations. The park’s concept design was released in early 2020 and was approved for development.

“Wimbo Park has grown from 1500 to 4600 square metres and we’re excited to transform the space into what I know will become a much-loved park,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“Wimbo Park was originally a small rest area. But when we negotiated the light rail development agreement with Transport for NSW we ensured the balance of any land not required would be dedicated back to us for use as an expanded community park.”

“We are putting in more shade trees that will make the park an oasis for local residents and visitors who want to come here with their children to play, grab a bite to eat from the nearby cafes and stores or those simply enjoying a bit of nature.

“In the densely populated inner city, parks are our backyards, so these spaces could not be more important. Our work to plant trees and increase public green space improves wellbeing, reduces urban temperatures and invites more nature to our area.”

Once completed, the upgraded Wimbo Park will have:

more shade trees and an open lawn
more parkland and less paving
more casual seating
a shared zone along Parkham Lane and a walking path through the park
a play area with in-ground trampolines and softfall mounds
a fenced and planted buffer separating the park from the light rail
reinstating the Wimbo Paddock Mural and Stonemasons monument

The construction will be carried out in two phases to provide access to the park amidst the ongoing work.

Heart of Surry Hills: Mouthwatering Treats at this Month-Long Food Festival

Photo Credit: SurryHillsBusinessPartnership/Instagram

More than 40 food venues will be celebrating with and vibe-ing to the Heart of Surry Hills at a month-long food festival happening this November!

For the whole month of November, a showcase of Surry Hills’ best culinary sites will deliver a dining experience to never forget. Participating restaurants like Four Pillars Laboratory, The Blue Door, Tokki and Mille Vini, will be offering deals you can’t turn down and specials you have to sample.

Flavourful bites will be offered during different days of the week, whether you’re looking to enjoy fine dining with your date, go with your crowd at the pubs, or enjoy a picnic at the parklands with your family. Diners will be spoilt for choice from breakfast to dinner and even during happy hour or late night.

check RESTAURANTS & OFFERS

Apart from the food, however, the festival will also feature exciting community activities merging art, music and the markets.

For instance, on the 5th of November 2022, the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre will host its Vintage Market Day at the Shannon Reserve with live jazz music and the voices of Virna Sinzone, Kate Wadey as well as their amazing instrumental trios.

Those who want a unique experience may also check out the tours around some of Surry Hill’s iconic locations and longstanding businesses.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SurryHillsBusinessPartnership (@surryhillsbusinesspartnership)

By the 26th and 27th of November, Shannon Reserve will once again close to cap the Heart of Surry Hills with a special outdoor event featuring gourmet food trucks, Sydney’s best beverage producers, a talented lineup of live acts and DJs, and the showcase of “Art in the Park.”

“The City of Sydney is proud to support the month-long program of food, art, and music that concludes with a spectacular weekend event at Shannon Reserve. This activation for the month of November highlights the very best of our world-class hospitality venues, distilleries, and breweries as well as connecting communities through art and music,” City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“The gorgeous character-filled streets of Surry Hills will come alive this November with delicious bites, and entertainment for everyone – as part of the Heart of Surry Hills celebration.”

“We hope that future Heart of Surry Hills activation will allow us to focus on fashion, retail, creatives and services through a series of regular programs,” Surry Hills Creative Precinct Inc President Leigh Harris said. “We hope that you will join us for memory making in the Surry Hills precinct, bring your mates and indulge your senses with art, music, food and drinks for the month of November.”

Follow the updates on the Heart of Surry Hills on Instagram.