Restaurant reboot in Sydney CBD

Twenty years ago, the northern end of the CBD had all the appeal of a room full of toenail clippings for Sydney's cool set restaurateurs.

But with Bentley Restaurant and Bar pulling up to the kerb and opening late last year at the Radisson hotel, the boys from Potts Point's Fratelli Paradiso launching a new venue on Ash Street, and the Buzo crew also eyeing a site to reboot, the CBD is hotter than a Bangkok wok.

Australia Square is also set to join the opening action. Word is the owners of Hugo's, the Kings Cross and Manly eateries, are headed to the Harry Seidler-designed building, known for its revolving restaurant.

Apparently they don't have designs on penthouse space - Hugo's Australia Square is slated for a site near Ryan's Bar, in the building's forecourt.