QT Sydney's Gowings Bar and Grill relaunches as New York Italian steakhouse

Rumblings chef Sean Connolly and hospitality partner Fraser Short are parting ways are on the money, with Connolly confirming he's out of The Morrison in Sydney, The Balcony at Byron Bay and won't be involved at the Whalebridge restaurant start-up at Circular Quay.

"It's all been done in a gentlemanly fashion," Connolly told Good Food about reports he hasn't been spotted at any of the venues in recent months.

"I'm cashing in my chips, he [Short] has bought my shares. I want to explore new horizons," the chef adds.

Those horizons include a new ambassador role with the Sydney Fish Market, which will eventually include a refresh of its cooking school, as well as a food and beverage creative director role across QT Sydney and Auckland.

Connolly takes his first steps with the relaunch this week of QT Sydney's Gowings Bar and Grill, which has had a redesign and a change in direction, reopening on Tuesday, March 1, as a New York Italian steakhouse.

The chef promises a sprinkling of colourful drama, with art draped from its ceiling and theatrical tableside service. "It's great to be back in a premium space," Connolly says.