Just Open: Restaurant Hubert, Sydney CBD

Mix one part celebrated chef, a couple of measures of Midas-touch bar operators, some prime Sydney real estate and you have Restaurant Hubert, which opens next week in the CBD. The highly anticipated venue, which has Dan Pepperell​ (10 William Street) in the kitchen and the backing of Swillhouse Group (Shady Pines, The Baxter Inn, Frankie's Pizza), even has a theatre attached.

"It was used for storage when Celestial Chinese restaurant operated here," says Hubert co-owner Jason Scott. "We'll use it for cooking classes, wine masterclasses and events."

While most things are on a big, steroid-sized scale at Hubert (which includes two bars – one set for dining, the other as a drop-in for drinks with its own bar food menu), there is still space for a nod to the diminutive with an impressive collection of miniature bottles.

And the food? Pepperell wowed diners and critics at 10 William Street, so all eyes are on the plate. Roast duck stuffed with duck sausage and served with pickled cherries and dijon jus is an early favourite with the Hubert team, and a peek at the draft menu also unveils crab spaghetti and sides of kimchi gratin and potato mornay.

They are so committed to classic cocktails like the Manhattan, martini and margarita, Scott says they've painted their names on the bar and the wine list is full of French flavours.

"We'll open until 1am, with last orders at 12.30am," he adds. "The pizza we do at Frankie's was really a bit of an afterthought, but it showed us there's a market around here for food at late hours."

Open Mon-Sat for dinner.

15 Bligh Street, Sydney, instagram.com/restauranthubert