Ormeggio spin-off, Sotto Sopra, to open in Palm Beach this summer

Palm Beach's fly-in celebrity set is yet to land for summer, but Sydney's far northern beaches are already a hive of early season gossip. The defection of the Newport Arms' executive chef Sebastian Lutaud to rival pub group Solotel hasn't slowed local adulation for Merivale's reboot of The Arms. And the suburb – not traditionally prized gastro turf – is on an upward trajectory.

Sotto Sopra, a new restaurant from the team at The Spit's hatted restaurant, Ormeggio, opens in summer, and talented Sydney chef Tristian Hope has also declared his hand in joining the party.

"I'm getting back into the restaurant stuff early next year. The Newport Arms has been a great addition, I really love that area, and Avalon," Hope says.

The former head chef at Hugos bagged a number of hats before joining MAD Pizza. "I'm out of MAD on March 1, my business partner is buying me out. I've had a great time, and they have some big plans to expand," Hope says.

He declined to reveal what he has planned for the northern beaches, but has other business interests, including a stake in the Natural Wine Company.