A restaurant focusing on Levantine cuisine and culture is opening inside a 120-year-old heritage-listed church in Sydney’s Rose Bay next month.
The venue, Aambra, will bring centuries-old recipes and dining traditions from places like Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Cyprus, and Egypt to the former Rose Bay Uniting Church, which has sat dormant for more than a decade.
The menu will include snacks, mezze and large plates from different parts of the Levant, including passed down family recipes reimagined for now, like masgouf-style fish and pulled lamb sfiha, as well as house-made flatbreads, char-grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables.
Executive Chef Gianluca Lonati (ex-Nour and Esca Hospitality Group) says he’s excited to shine more of a light on one of the world’s richest food cultures, and show there is more on offer than what Sydneysiders have come to know so far.
“When we think about the Middle East we usually think about mountains and deserts, but there are so many beautiful coastal regions, each with their own flavours and rituals, all of which we’ll be exploring at Aambra,” he says.
“We want to change perceptions so that when people go out for dinner, Levantine is one of the cuisines that comes to mind.”
The drinks list will also feature a selection of premium wines from the region, as well as cocktails inspired by its flavours and spirits.
Owner Cristian Gorgees, with the help of designer Paul Papadopoulos from DS17, is breathing new life into the landmark building – the foundation stone of which was laid in 1904.
The team is restoring the building’s 10m-high cathedral ceilings, arch doorways and sun-drenched, stained-glass windows as part of the project. These will complement new design elements like custom-made drape curtains, chandeliers, and custom-designed marble tiles.
Diners will have a front-row to the open-plan kitchen and bar. Bartenders will pour a variety of cocktails at one end, while at the other, chefs will sear cuts of meat, seafood and vegetables on an open-flame grill and serve them on handmade crockery.
Gorgees has been working to bring Aambra to life for the past three years. He says he was drawn to the site because of its architecture and the sense of serenity that washes over you as you walk through the doors.
“It’s such a welcoming and inviting space, which perfectly aligns with Levantine culture of inviting people into your home to connect over food and tradition,” he says.
“We want Aambra to be a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle and be transported somewhere else, not just through the flavours, but through the whole dining experience.”
The 140-seat restaurant on Old South Head Road will be open from Tuesday to Sunday. Visit aambra.com.au to stay up-to-date.
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