Gildas, Firedoor's Basque-inspired spin-off, is coming soon to Surry Hills

A Basque-inspired wine bar offshoot to chef Lennox Hastie's award-winning Surry Hills restaurant, Firedoor? Yes, please.

Gildas will open mid-year just a Xabi Alonso kick away from the Firedoor mothership, sliding into the former home of Chur Burger, a site with plenty of Sydney dining lineage.

The building, on the corner of Mary and Albion streets, was previously occupied by hatted restaurants Assiette and Becasse.

"People are always asking where they should go for a drink before or after a meal at Firedoor," says Hastie, who has decided to supply the answer himself.

The plan is to open half of Gildas to bookings up to three months in advance, leaving the rest for walk-ins.

Hastie opened Firedoor in 2015 in partnership with Fink, the restaurant group behind Quay and Otto Ristorante. That collaboration will continue at Gildas, which gets its name from the 1946 film noir, Gilda. Rita Hayworth's character in the film inspired the skewered green olive, anchovy and green chilli pintxo snacks that spread through San Sebastian.

Hastie wants to champion local small producers at Gildas, and while he says the menu is still a work in progress, his CV includes a stint at a Basque tapas bar, so expect something pretty authentic.

"I'm drawn to places I enjoy myself, and what I loved about Basque country is you can eat well at so many different levels," the chef explains.

Hastie has witnessed a number of changes in Surry Hills since he opened Firedoor seven years ago, and while he quips it has become a little gym-heavy, he's heartened the area has retained a diverse mixture of businesses.

It is also strong in hospitality action, with Ace Hotel Sydney and Nomad spin-off Beau set to join Gildas for the mid-year opening fiesta.

Gildas is slated to open in mid-2022 at 48 Albion Street, Surry Hills, gildas.com.au