Potts hot so duo tries Asian

Kings Cross and Potts Point are neighbouring suburbs yet could not be more different; one the poster child for the city's unpalatable behaviour, the other a gentrified strip of gilded real estate and hospitality stock. The 2014 forecast for Potts Point restaurants remains bright.

Restaurateur Sam Christie and chef Jonathan Barthelmess, the duo that showed a Midas touch for Greek at The Apollo on Macleay Street, are set to open an Asian eatery on the restaurant strip in May. Christie and Barthelmess will launch their new venture at the Macleay Street address that ushered in the suburb's previous food wave, the former site of the hatted Paramount restaurant.

Christie confirmed the duo has just signed a deal to take the site of Shogun, which trades where Paramount once stood. "Shogun will operate until later next month, then we'll take over," he says.

Apollo designer George Livissianis will fashion the yet-to-be-named restaurant's interior. Christie, also a co-owner of Longrain in Surry Hills, won't yet reveal which Asian cuisine the restaurant will tackle, but confirmed it won't be Thai.

Potts Point is a magnet for Sydney restaurant operators. The Bentley team has opened two venues there - Monopole and Yellow - while the team from Fratelli Paradiso is also keen to join the suburb's twin venue club.