Snack Bar: Andy Cooks at Bessie’s, A’Mare’s New Lasagne Lunches and More Local Food News

What’s on around town

• Find Andy Cooks in the Bessie’s kitchen with Nathan Sasi and Morgan McGlone on Wednesday October 29. Their one-off set-menu-only dinner will be snacky, share-ready and tipped to star some top quality beef. Bookings essential, from 5.45pm.

• To herald the NSW launch of Reground (the team diverting our cafe’s coffee grounds from landfill), Single O is giving out free coffees on launch day, Wednesday October 29. Just bring a reusable cup, and your caffeine’s on the house. Plus, you’ll nab a cup of coffee compost and seeds, to grow a plant at home.

• Sana, the fast-casual Med spot in Eveleigh from chef Joel Bennetts and Blackwood’s Dan Sorridimi, opens in the CBD at 1 O’Connell Street. The spot’s all about bowls (one with a 24-hour slow-cooked lamb and herby salsa), rolls and $4 house sodas.

• Head to North Bondi Surf Club at 1pm on Friday for National Barramundi Day. Masterchef’s Declan Cleary and Sarah Todd will be on the pans, ready to feed you and chat everything barra.

• Hugos has expanded its on-the-water Manly deck. There’s room for 80 outside, plus longer opening hours for all your sundowner needs.

• Sixpenny has a new head sommelier – and he’s interested in Aussie winemakers doing funky things overseas.

• Pub grub is always good – especially so with that extra golden hour in spring. These four new pub menus hit the spot right now.

• London favourite The Palomar just opened Down Under – and, exclusively with Broadsheet, you can dine with culinary director Mitch Orr next week. Here’s what you’ll eat.

• Sydney Open gives behind-the-scenes access to historic and design-led places and spaces usually closed to the public, for one day only. Here’s all the info, plus where to dine before, during and after.

• Five of Sydney’s best Pina Coladas, when only bespoke coconut rum, house-ripened pineapples and cheffy blending tricks will do.

• The Dry Dock ’s new al fresco dining area has arrived at the same time as its ace spring menu. Find a spot under an umbrella for the zucchini flower’s one-two cheese punch: plump with citrusy buffalo ricotta, under a shower of comté. Or stay inside for grilled rainbow trout, spaghetti chitarra and more.

• Maison Balzac’s boutique in the Strand Arcade is celebrating its anniversary with madeleines, birthday cake and bubbles. Head in on Saturday October 18 between 10am and 5pm to get involved – plus score a gift with any purchase (maybe a sweet woven bread basket made in collaboration with Sonoma?).

• It’s $49 Wagyu lasagne all month at A’Mare. Head to the Pavonis’ Barangaroo dining room for your weekday lunch to grab the baked pasta, a glass of wine and a scoop of pistachio gelato. Bookings recommended.

What we covered this week

• Where Chefs Eat: Happyfield’s Jesse Orleans shares his number one Sydney burger, his go-to Greek takeaway and the “pillows of sugar and happiness” set to hit Happy Shop when it opens soon.

• First look: at Good Pair Days’ first “real” wine bar, you and mate can share a bottle, olives and bread for $14 apiece.

• The new Sydney Fish Market (finally) has an open date. Plus, the full list of retailers opening in the three-storey, $700 million build.

• Coming soon: a Levantine restaurant is set to open in a 120-year-old Rose Bay church.

• Coming (very) soon: the Flora replacement on Australia Street, from the Continental Deli team, will be here in just days.

• A Moment For: the Macca’s-inspired apple pie ham sui gok at CBD newcomer Grandfathers.

• First look: The Palomar is a London classic – and now it’s Sydney’s turn. Head in for two-bite chicken schnitzels, baklava ice-cream sandwiches and a definitively local edge.

• Opera Bar’s new era is here, and there’s a whole new menu pushing NSW produce and top picks for post-theatre dining. Here’s what to order.

You might’ve missed

• First look: Radio Taco rockets a birria-fuelled menu onto a Chippendale corner.

• Coming soon: South End brings potato Europe in winter and tomato Europe in summer to a “lesser-loved” patch of Newtown.

• First look: Alzado takes the Ravesis dining room to the next level with Spanish seafood classics, local catch and plenty of vermouth.

• South Sydney favourite Jaaks is reborn as a mezedopolio with Cypriot share plates and ouzotinis.