Hopefuls circle as Sydney Theatre Company overhauls restaurant

The overhaul of the bar and restaurant at the Sydney Theatre Company, a plan instigated by the STC's then-co-artistic directors Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton, has some of Sydney's top restaurants circling the venue.

Claude's chef-owner Chui Lee Luk and Newtown's Bloodwood restaurant are both believed to have made a play to take the space.

The Wharf restaurant finished its long innings at the coveted Walsh Bay venue more than a year ago with Fresh Catering jumping in foran interim period as Blanchett's and Upton's vision for a more accessible and less formal space was introduced.

An STC spokesman says the next operator will also control the bar. The tender process has been whittled to a shortlist, with incumbent Fresh believed to be among the contenders. A decision will be made by the end of April.