The Bach Eatery brings a taste of New Zealand to King Street

Even the most seasoned Newtown locals are baffled by the disappearance this year of Spencer Guthrie. The well-received restaurant, which made it into The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, abruptly shut up shop.

Word on King Street is one half of the kitchen duo, Troy Spencer, is looking to open elsewhere.

What is known is what became of Spencer Guthrie's old digs, former Bistro Moncur executive chef Darrien Potaka opening The Bach Eatery there last week. Potaka, pictured with partner Philippa Potaka, has brought Moncur's marinated salmon dish along for the ride.

The chef says his long-term plan is to build a menu around the food of New Zealand. Bach [a Kiwi beachhouse] will slowly introduce more NZ ingredients.

Potaka is already fashioning hokey pokey brulee and pavlova in a glass, as well as beetroot and heirloom carrot salad, cuttlefish and peperonata with squid ink dressing and slow-cooked lamb shoulder.

The fitout is pretty simple, and Potaka is confident he's chosen a location with upside. "This end of King Street is really developing," he adds.