Tequila Mockingbird to open in Paddington

If Justin Hemmes can take a run-down Sydney food hub and do the un-doable by making poultry purr in Paddington, what can a team from a posse of top eateries do with Peruvian dishes in the postcode? We're about to find out when the long boarded-up building just down from the old Wasavie restaurant site at Five Ways opens in July with a menu sweeping Peru, Mexico, and Argentina.

The restaurant's name? Tequila Mockingbird.

Chef Gabriel Valenti, who hails from the kitchen at Maido in Lima (No. 44 on the World's Best list) will team up with co-head-chef Matt Taylor-Watkins (Bentley and Monopole). Co-owner Michael Fegent, whom Sydney diners will know from Sake, says inspiration for the restaurant came from working in New York and spending a year travelling through Latin and South America.

That trip proved easier than Fegent's journey – and two court appearances – to gain approval for the 110-seat two-level restaurant. "My partner in the project is Regan Porteous (Riley St Garage, Toko). We'll do ceviche and tiradito, and also cook over the open flame parilla grill," Fegent says. Sommelier Sam Jones (Monopole) will also join the restaurant start-up.