New Sydney CBD restaurant to serve contemporary cuisine with Asian twist

Chinese backers, a Korean chef, a landmark Sydney building and a restaurant that openly uses the F-word. Someone call the SBS documentary department. The term "fine dining" is as out of vogue as truffle oil, and restaurants usually sidestep it, but not chef Ryan Hong, who will front the yet-to-be-named restaurant, which opens in the former Sydney Water Board HQ in December. The Pitt Street building, at the southern end of the CBD, has grand bones.

"It'll be fine dining, but comfortable fine dining and flexible. Contemporary cuisine with an Asian twist," the chef says. Hong, who has had stints at Black by Ezard​ and Rockpool Bar & Grill, offers an example of the menu. "I'm from an island in Korea where abalone porridge is really popular. I want to do a risotto version with Arborio, with sliced abalone and seaweed on top," he says. Design outfit Woods Bagot has revamped the 1930s heritage building, which will include the Primus Hotel Sydney and the 100-plus seat restaurant. Chinese outfit Greenland International Hotels Group is behind the development.