Hello Kitty diner to open in Sydney's Chatswood

Hello Kitty is coming to town - but her face won't be the only familiar one in the kitchen.

The Japanese cartoon cat will be the face of a new Asian-American fusion diner opening in Chatswood later this year, the second Australian food venture to feature the face after Adelaide's Hello Kitty Cafe.

Diners can expect more than a sandwich or a cake with the cat's face stamped on it.

Chur Burger's Warren Turnbull has signed on as a consultant and will design the kitchen and the menu.

"I've organised the most amazing burger buns, which are just incredible - good with things like fried chicken and salt and pepper tofu and all of those bits and pieces. So just really interesting and fun burgers."

The menu is expected to include gourmet burgers such as Korean fried chicken, alongside classic American diner elements including ribs, fries and shakes, some with an Asian twist. The Canadian staple of fries, cheese and gravy - poutine - will also be available with kimchi added.

The restaurant's managing director, Dorothy Wang, decided to bring the Hello Kitty brand to Sydney's dining scene in November. Her original vision of a milk bar changed when she watched the musical Grease and realised the characters were always hanging out in a diner - so the idea of an American-style diner was born.

Its home will be Asian-inspired food court The District, home to Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan, when it opens its doors in mid-October.

Sydney design firm Luchetti Krelle (whose portfolio includes Momofuku Seiobo, Fat Noodle and Adriano Zumbo) have designed the interior with a modern-retro feel, with seating of traditional diner booths, tables and chairs and a bench with bar stools - altogether seating about 50 people.

Wang says Sanrio, the company that owns the Hello Kitty name, was supportive of her idea to do something different with the brand. She travelled around Asia and America to see what restaurants there were doing with Hello Kitty, and drew heavily on her own childhood in Canada, Singapore, China and Hong Kong when she discussed Asian-American dishes with Turnbull.

"To do something different you've got to have seen and tasted what else is on offer," she says.

The diner's logo, which features Hello Kitty's ears and chin forming the top and bottom of a burger bun, shows their faith in the restaurant. It is the first time the company has allowed Hello Kitty's face to be cut in half in an official logo. The actual burgers won't feature Hello Kitty's face.

While the restaurant aims to get creative with the brand, Hello Kitty will still feature heavily in the names of menu items - and in person. A life-sized statue will stand in the doorway for patrons to hug and take photos with, and a corner will be dedicated to merchandise unique to the venue.