Sydney's top club restaurants
Social gatherings in clubs, our much-loved cultural hubs, have never been so tasty.
Seeking out the company of people with similar interests or cultural backgrounds used to be the main attraction of clubs (and, yes, the cheap drinks have admittedly never hurt either). Now there's the social aspect that draws people in, plus - at an increasing number of venues - the promise of great food, wine and service.
These club restaurants range from the impressively grand Alpha Greek restaurant in Sydney, part of what will soon be the new home of the Hellenic Club and the Surf Life Saving Australia's Clubhouse - a beach-inspired venue in the middle of industrial Rosebery; to old favourites such as the German Concordia Club at Tempe, a no-frills option that provides good food, a good times hub, and plenty in between.
Latest appetising developments include changes at Fairfield RSL club. It recently added Montagne to its stable of restaurants. The Parisian-styled French bistro serves classics such as coq au vin, souffle, and bouillabaisse. Also on the radar is the UTS Haberfield Club (Dobroyd Parade, Haberfield 9797 9523), which reopened on April 12 after extensive renovations. The bright new space incorporates a restaurant which serves everything from share plates and sliders, to a signature seafood platter to complement the rowing club's absolute waterfront views.
If you're looking to join the club, try these:
La Tratt
Fairfield RSL, 14 Anzac Avenue, Fairfield, 9727 5000
The buzz might be focused on club French newcomer Montagne, but this Italian restaurant has been bringing foodies to Fairfield RSL for years. The space is low-lit and romantic without being pretentious, while the menu is honest Italian fare with flair. Try potato gnocchi with lobster, and bombolini - Italian doughnuts - for dessert. The Good Food Guide-recommended restaurant is a true special-occasion spot.
Pizzeria Bellucci
Bankstown Sports Club, 8 Greenfield Parade, Bankstown, 9722 9810
There are several restaurants in this huge club - each with their own elaborately-themed decor. The highlight is Pizzeria Bellucci, housed in a high-ceilinged space made to look like a terracotta-toned piazza straight from Italy. It's fun and family-friendly, with the pizza itself trumping the decor and then some. The thin scorched bases impress. Try the Minerva with sweet, ripe tomatoes, basil and bocconcini.
Chilli Chilli Bambu
Wests Leagues Club, 10 Old Leumeah Road, Leumeah, 4634 5606
Fans of this Thai restaurant know the drill - it's straight past the pokies, over the quaint bridge and into a calming dining space for crowd-favourite pad Thai and chef's specialities. The latter includes crunchy, lightly battered soft-shell crab with chilli jam, and a mild prawn curry with chilli and basil served in a young coconut. Lunch specials that hover around the $10 mark are a bonus.
Concordia Club
German Club, Mackay Park, Richardson Crescent, Tempe, 9554 7388
Established in 1883, this no-frills club moved from Stanmore to its Tempe site just shy of 10 years ago. A favourite of inner-west families, there's plenty of space outside for the kids to run around and a menu full of classic German crowd-pleasers - from chewy pretzels, to top schnitzel, hulking pork knuckle, and smoked pork loin with potato mash and sauerkraut. Remember this spot for the World Cup: it's a magnet for football fans.
The Dynasty Restaurant
Canterbury Leagues Club, 26 Bridge Road, Belmore, 9704 7704
The Dynasty's daily yum cha scene is as serene as they come, with a soothing decor of lush greenery, water features and dragon motif wall mural. Come dinner time, the trolleys vanish and the a la carte menu kicks in. Queuing for a table can be tedious, so an early start is the best bet. Also at the family-friendly Canterbury Leagues club is Flame Pizza & Grill, launched late last year, specialising in steaks and wood-fired pizza.
Alpha
The Hellenic Club, 238 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, 9098 1111
To list Alpha as a ''club restaurant'' seems a stretch, since the Hellenic Club is still in the process of shifting from their Elizabeth Street home to this grand site on Castlereagh Street, where the restaurant Alpha is already in full swing . The kitchen is helmed by Peter Conistis, Sydney's alpha-chef when it comes to Greek food. A trio of ''vintage'' Conistis dishes includes the legendary scallop and eggplant moussaka.
The Clubhouse
Surf Life Saving Australia, 789 Botany Road, Rosebery, 9669 2828
There's no beach within miles, but that hasn't stopped this land-locked cafe and bar at the headquarters of the Surf Life Saving Association from attempting to save lives with coffee, cocktails and a menu of beach-house favourites.
A menu of pizzette, share plates, salads, burgers and fish and chips is as crowd-pleasing as the timber-decked, light-filled space.
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