Big names set sights on Chippendale

Chippendale is making an impressive push for the title of Sydney's go-to food suburb.

It is set for a serious injection of talent courtesy of the world's No.2-ranked restaurant, Noma, in Copenhagen, as well as English chef Jason Atherton, another member of the elite World's 100 Best Restaurants club with his Pollen Street Social in London.

Australian staff are as common at Noma as foraged Danish greens, and a posse of Noma's Aussie alumni has been quietly plotting a Sydney venture, eyeing a site in the precinct around Chippendale's Carlton & United Brewery redevelopment.

The names of the incoming Noma crew can't be revealed , but their experience covers the kitchen and front of house. The deal for the restaurant is signed, but we're uncertain how much Noma-style foraging there will be, given Chippendale's low rate of open space.

Postcode 2008 already has its new wave, with venues such as Ester and Freda's leading the charge. Last year we flagged Atherton's involvement in the boutique hotel being built by Singaporean entrepreneur Loh Lik Peng on the site of the former Carlton & United administration building.

A spokesman for the hotel confirmed it will open next year and contain three restaurants.

''There are still talks going on. I don't think it is any secret [Atherton and Loh Lik Peng] like working together.''

The collaboration is more advanced than that, the duo spotted last year perusing plans for the food offerings.