Marque

There are restaurants that come and go – with more going than coming in the current climate – but Marque is one that has remained a jewel in the Sydney dining scene’s crown over the years.

The multi-award-winning, three-hatted restaurant, owned and run by chef Mark Best, is located just a few doors down from the infamous Billy Kwong on the Surry Hills drinking and dining strip of Crown Street. The interiors are traditionally modern European with clean, crisp white tablecloths and black walls adorned with a few minimalist artworks.

The menu options make things easy, offering a set degustation menu for $160 a head, so all you need to choose is whether or not to add matching wines for $85 extra, handpicked by sommeliers Nicolas André and Eric Wagnon.

The food itself, however, is far from simple, featuring some fascinating dishes set to challenge the most developed palate. Dishes include almond jelly with blue swimmer crab, almond gazpacho, sweet Corn and avruga, and Dutch cream potato with bone marrow, sea urchin and coffee. At the sweet end of the menu, charred lemon with white chocolate and tarragon, and sauternes custard are culinary winners.

Due to environmental concerns, Marque has made the controversial decision to no longer use bottled mineral water, but instead offers filtered, carbonated water made in-house for $5 per person, which has caused a few stirs in the local dining crowd.

Those who just can’t stretch to the degustation will be pleased to hear that a set Friday lunch is available, comprising a three-course menu for just $45, which really is a steal and a great way to check out this much talked about dining experience with a smaller price tag.