Just Open: Bistro Guillaume

There's a mix of pollen and new restaurant cooking in the air this spring, with a posse of top-end chefs and restaurateurs opening wallet-friendlier venues at the north end of the Sydney CBD.

With a citywide rash of restaurant openings looming at Barangaroo, Tramsheds Harold Park and Gateway, Sydney is knee-deep in one of busiest launch periods since the Olympics.

Bistro Guillaume opens at 259 George Street this week, with chef Guillaume Brahimi joining David Thompson's new Thai street food arrival, Long Chim.

Icebergs restaurateur Maurice Terzini has longer-term plans for an accessible city venue, Terzini's, near Martin Place.

Bistro Guillaume, a mid-market sibling to Paddington fine diner Guillaume, will even serve breakfast.

Owner Brahimi concedes he hasn't had a lot of early morning kitchen experience in his decades-long fine dining career.

"But I eat it every day, and I know what is good," he tells Good Food.

Despite the operation being Sydney-based, Melbourne and Perth have both had a taste of Bistro Guillaume before Sydney. While many predicted it would open in James Packer's Barangaroo casino, Brahimi maintains "that is still years away" and the George Street site proved irresistible.

"The steak frites and roast chicken are the big sellers. I cook the chicken just like my mum and dad used to… and serve it with Paris mash," he says.

Open for breakfast and lunch daily; dinner daily from October 3.

259 George Street, Sydney, 02 8622 9555, bistroguillaumesydney.com.au