Coming Soon: An Argentinian Grill for Balmain, Round Two From the Marta Crew and a Fan-Favourite Chook Flies North

The openings have come thick and fast this year, Sydney – but there’s plenty to come. We know about Merivale’s next Sydney spot, Good Luck , which is expected in autumn, along with sprawling ceviche-peddling CBD joint Morena (first expected in November 2023).

Then there’s a hot clutch that we’re yet to know the names of. House Made Hospitality’s busy, with a three-venue Asian-inspired project hitting the Surry Hills Village precinct in spring, plus four venues – a seafood grill, bar, French-Vietnamese restaurant and rooftop terrace bar – arriving on Bligh Street in the CBD around the same time. And the Etymon team – behind Poetica , The Charles and Loulou – is partnering with The Langham Sydney, revamping the existing dining spaces with a restaurant and lounge bar.

For now, get excited about these three – the first of which opens this week.

Casa Esquina , Balmain

Atticus Hospitality’s director Michael Fegent fell in love with Latin America as a young traveller. The culture and flavours inspired his Paddington-terrace restaurant Tequila Mockingbird and slick CBD spot Esteban. And now, with Casa Esquina, it’s the flavours of Argentina. Of course, there’ll be big cuts of meat scorched on an open-flame parilla, but there’ll be fresh-rolled pastas and mini fugazzeta (a calzone-like Argentinian pizza) too. “They have it at a lot of taxi stands [in Argentina],” head chef Will Quartel tells Broadsheet. “It’s essentially a stuffed deep-dish pizza, that’s very well charred.”

Casa Esquina reinvigorates the old Efendy spot, making the most of its two storeys and a plant-filled courtyard (where street food snacks will be barbequed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
Casa Esquina opens at 79 Elliott Street, Balmain , on Thursday February 15.

Martina, Rose Bay

Flavio Carnevale’s Roman osteria and bakery in Rushcutters Bay is a winner. It’s an all-day joint, with fluffy maritozzi and plump sfogliatelle from the early morning, and Italo classics (like suppli, pizzas, cacio e pepe and parmies) the rest of the time. Carnevale’s doubling down on the bakery-meets-osteria format with Martina. The bakery is open already, with the restaurant side expected this month. What to order when it opens? Pizza by the slice and pasta.
Martina’s bakery is open now at 51–55 O’Sullivan Road, Rose Bay. The restaurant is expected to open in February 2024.

El Jannah, Lower North Shore

The Lebanese charcoal-chicken joint first opened its Granville doors in 1998, delivering roast chooks, chippies and salads – and a garlic sauce that competes with the poultry for pride of place. A cult-like following has ensued, with a raft of stores opening across the wider Sydney region, Melbourne and our capital city. Finally, the birds are heading north of the Harbour Bridge. The new store’s exact location will be released in the coming weeks.
El Jannah opens on the Lower North Shore on Saturday March 2.