What’s on around town

• Lennox Hastie has created two flashy February-exclusive dishes at Gildas. Head in any time this month (except for Valentine’s Day) to dine on the newcomers, which are served in Ironclad’s new-release Junior skillets (which you’ll also have the chance to win). Bookings recommended.

• A Street Party Named Fitz hits the Dowling Street cul-de-sac on Sunday. The Buoys are headlining, the Mapo Gelato van will be parked up and The Old Fitz kitchen is doing the classics. Entry’s free and it’s all in support of Australia’s last remaining pub theatre.

• Fontana is taking over Cafe Freda’s on Sunday February 16, from 3pm. Bookings are recommended, team: it’s the second-last kitchen takeover before the Freda’s team moves to its new home in Chippo.

Stay in the know with our free newsletter. The latest restaurants, must-see exhibitions, style trends, travel spots and more – curated by those who know.

SIGN UP

• Three-Michelin-starred UK restaurant L’Enclume is returning Down Under, taking over Balmoral’s Bathers’ Pavilion for six weeks. At the end of the 2023 residency, there was a table waitlist of over 2000 – set your alarms, bookings open on February 13. Broadsheet dined that time – this is what it was like.

• Darlo newcomer Avia’s just added aperitivo hour to its line-up. From Tuesday to Friday, 5pm till 6.30pm, there are $5 beers and $10 wines; and snacks – like mushroom crostini and snapper terrine – are under $15.

• Petit Loulou opens in Martin Place on Monday, and there are free croissants (until sold out) for everyone who stops by for a coffee from Monday till Friday.

• Sundays at Attenzione now mean live jazz – adding more vibes to an already-vibe-heavy place. From 6pm till 9.30pm, bookings recommended.

• Head to the Surry Hills or Strand Arcade Maison Balzac stores on Saturday, between 10am and 5pm, for drinks and snacks to celebrate the launch of its new range Cadaques (which includes fishy servingware, glass chilli oil bottles, a rainbow of table candles and a delightful egg-shaped incense holder).

• Dine at Island Radio on Tuesdays for half-price (and very generous) serves of noodles. That means ginger and shallot egg noodles for $9.50 and brisket char kway teow for $14.

• Humble Bakery – loved for its pink-topped, butter-stuffed finger buns and its sangas – opened a store on Kent Street in the CBD on Monday February 10. They’re celebrating with a finger bun on the house, with any drink purchased, for the first 100 customers.

• Noon’s in the mood for love, with $35 bouquets by Fleurette available on February 14. A one-stop shop for coffee and flowers – lovely.

What we covered this week

• Four ex-Swillhouse employees are taking their claims to court. The group will be represented by a globally renowned employment lawyer, who’s advised victims of Harvey Weinstein. It comes after the deletion of Swillhouse’s apologies from social media and the “hushed removal” of key staff.

• Where chefs date: 10 kitchen talents – including O Tama Carey, Josh Niland and Danielle Alvarez – share their top rec for a night out with your love.

• Coming soon: Bondi sanga and sandwich favourite S’wich is going for round two in Redfern. There’ll be whopping schnitzels along with Redfern-only exclusives, plus a natural wine list that takes the space from day to night.

• Beau Clugston used to work at Noma – now Aussie produce is giving him goosebumps. The chef’s just joined the Kiln team, along with two other standout Sydney chefs.

• The mood is right at Eleven Barrack, the Bentley team’s new woodfired grill restaurant. A fluffy starter riffs on a sweet Bentley original and a tight pasta list supports beautifully done steaks from an inherited grill that’s “about the same price as a Ferrari”.

• First look: the old Ricos Tacos corner spot has new custodians: market-bakery darling Khanom House. Stop in for pandan-cream-stuffed doughnuts, Thai-milk-tea Basque cheesecakes and more.

You might’ve missed

• January openings: all the new restaurants, bars and cafes we got excited about last month – which include Cypriot plates, plus Cantonese, Filipino, Japanese and Italian. And two fan-favourite teams open spaces that go from morning till night.

• Local Knowledge: at Sunshine, a family-run Asian supermarket, queues snake on dim sum Saturdays. It’s known for yum cha favourites, like siu mai and golden egg tarts.

• First look: the Pavonis take on piazza-style dining at Cibaria, their ambitious new dining room by the beach. Dedicated kitchens span spaghetteria, bisteccheria, friggitoria and more, meaning there’s something for everyone.