Just open: Nine

The recent closure of Bills Woollahra has seen a number of Bill Granger's crew landing at other venues or striking out on their own. Granger's former restaurant manager and long-serving go-to man, Lane Finlayson, swings open the doors today at Nine, a new restaurant at 9 Ward Avenue, Potts Point.

Opening in a neighbourhood as competitive as Potts Point you need a difference, and Finlayson believes he has one. He's has teamed up with former Bills Surry Hills head chef Mika Kazato as his business partner at Nine.

"We are a little bored with the homogenised Japanese fare (sushi and ramen) Sydney is saturated with, so we thought we'd offer something new and different – B-kyu Gourmet," Finlayson says.

The no-nonsense Japanese cooking will raise its head on the Nine menu with dishes such as grilled snapper on a rice cake and homemade pickled fish. They will also take a bet each way with a few western inspired comfort classics such as chicken schnitzel and steak.