New waterfront restaurant “St Siandra” to launch at The Spit led by former Nomad Head Chef.

By ANNA USHER

Middle Harbour Yacht Club will welcome a Med-inspired restaurant and bar in February, with renowned former Nomad Head Chef Sam McCallum at the helm.

Called St Siandra, the beachfront eatery will celebrate Australian seafood and producers, offering a “sensory escape to the Amalfi Coast without leaving Sydney” co-owner Gavin Gray tells Mosman Collective.

“The restaurant is also on a private beach where you can arrive by foot, car or boat, just 15 minutes from the city, and feel like you’ve travelled much further afield.

“It makes St Siandra all the more unique and special.”

Head Chef McCallum, formerly of two-hatted Nomad restaurant, will bring his signature flavours to the new multi-level beachfront restaurant, bar and events venue, set on the private white-sand beach at Middle Harbour Yacht Club on Parriwi Rd.

The menu will be a celebration of Australian seafood and producers, with highlights such as Pacific Oysters with Ajo Blanco; “en brochette” skewers of Clarence River baby octopus and Skull Island tiger prawns; Jack’s Creek Angus bone-in Wagyu striploin with butter-poached lobster tail, and moreish wood-fired flatbread with smoked garlic chickpea hummus.

Complementing this will be a list of endless summer soirée-style wines from Australian and European regions – think a Soave, a chilled Chianti or a Provence Rosé – alongside free-flowing spritzes on tap and cocktails and curated by Sydney cocktail czar Kurtis Bosley, named after famous historical local yachts from years gone by like Champagne Charlie and Rum Runner.

Interiors by renowned local designer Sally Taylor (Felix, Queen Chow Manly, Beaux Rumble and Elva) will transport diners to the Amalfi Coast with the ground floor St Siandra dining room and bar featuring sunny yellow walls, terracotta tiling, golden veined white marble, Italian iron furniture, woven loveseats and ornate plaster.

The second-floor Bluebird Room & Deck function space will be soft-blue hued and flooded with natural light, complete with a private bar and deck overlooking the water.

Named after the famous Middle Harbour-based yacht which won a Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race double in the 1950s and 1960s, St Siandra will have access to two private moorings for arrivals via private boat or water taxi.

It is the first standalone venue by seasoned Sydney hospitality duo, chefs-turned-restaurateurs Mitchell Davis and Gavin Gray of Great Eats, the catering consultancy behind many of Sydney’s top local eateries including Bondi Icebergs Club.

“We’re incredibly excited to create this new venue offering a unique dining experience in one of the most beautiful spots in Sydney with one of the country’s finest young chefs, Sam McCallum helming the kitchen,” said Gavin.

“This is definitely the highlight of our combined 40+ years experience running kitchens and hospitality businesses across the country to date.”

St Siandra will start taking bookings in the New Year for lunch Wednesday to Sunday, dinner Thursday to Sunday, and breakfast on weekends, and events in the Bluebird function space.

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