The chef behind Hello Auntie and Hey Chu has announced his latest Sydney restaurant Penelope’s will open this November.
Located in the new dining destination of Quay Tower, Penelope’s is set to serve food inspired by Sydney, rather than a particular cuisine.
“Our aim is to challenge stereotypes and defy preconceived notions of what ‘Australian cuisine’ should be – we thrive on diversity and various culinary influences from around the world,” says Nguyen.
Nguyen will be running the kitchen as executive chef and has appointed Bremmy Setiyoko as head chef and Lee Potter Cavanagh as general manager, with the trio gearing up to launch the 132-seat restaurant in the coming weeks.
Setiyoko has been given free reign with the menu, putting together dishes including chicken marinated with coriander seeds and turmeric before it’s slow-roasted and served with toum and a turmeric and lemongrass sambal.
“Cuong has given me a lot of freedom to explore and create at Penelope’s, so I can cook [dishes] I’m really passionate about and hopefully delicious”, says the chef.
While the final menu has yet to be released, steak will have a dedicated section, which will see the team select beef from different regions and age it in-house.
Potter Cavanagh has put together a 100-bottle strong wine list of local and international drops, with a quarter also available by the glass.
Cocktails are set to showcase Indigenous Australian ingredients, with the Jiminy Cricket combining whisky with peppermint gum, chocolate, corn, and koji and an Old Fashioned teaming aged rum with macadamia, wattleseed, and Vegemite caramel.
Penelope’s will announce its official opening date shortly and will trade seven days a week.