The Art Gallery of New South Wales’ (AGNSW) MOD. Dining has appointed Sushil Aryal to run the kitchen, taking over from Claton Wells’ two year spell.
In his last role, Aryal led the kitchen at Miss Pearl Bar + Dining, an Asian fusion restaurant in Melbourne’s Southbank. He began his culinary career at Bondi institution Brown Sugar alongside chef Neil Gottheiner, before working at Cumulus Inc, Spice Temple, Vue Du Monde and Cutler and Co, and Moon Under Water at The Builders Arms Hotel with Josh Murphy.
Aryal will bring his Asian fusion dining experience from Miss Pearl to the venue, while prioritising local, seasonal produce.
Small plates and shares include puffed pork skins with five spice salt; raw tuna with yuzu kosho dressing, spring onion oil, and pickled chill; and bulgolgi glazed beef tataki with ponzu sauce and roasted garlic oil.
Mains and large plates include vegetarian claypot rice with shitake mushrooms, tofu, and eggplant; twice cooked duck with umeboshi puree, green tomato, and steamed bao; and steamed Humpty Doo barramundi with mussels, white soy, ginger, and shallots.
Accommodating the gallery’s early crowds, there are also a range of mid-morning pastries including a macau custard tart, and a Korean toastie with egg, cabbage, kimchi, cheese, and spring onion.
Aryal is the successor of Claton Wells, who joined the gallery after seeing out the last days of Chippendale’s two-hatted Automata.
MOD. Dining is a premium restaurant in the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Situated on lower level 1 of the gallery’s new north building, it can accommodate up to 80 seated guests. The interiors have been refreshed by Studio A-N to reflect the new concept.
MOD. Dining is one of five dining venues at the Art Gallery, including the Art Gallery restaurant, Crafted by Matt Moran, and The Gallery Cafe in the Naala Nura building, as well as the Kiosk and Espresso Bar in the Naala Badu building.
“We are excited to be working with Sushil Aryal and the Fresh Collective’s innovative team to diversify our dining portfolio and offer the first modern Asian dining experience to Art Gallery guests,” says AGNSW Director of Audiences and Development John Richardson.
“Sushil Aryal has made waves with his bold menu at Miss Pearl, and we can’t wait to share the all-day menu he has created for us at MOD. Dining.”
MOD. Dining is open 10am – 4pm daily and until 9pm on Wednesday evenings.
Photography: Fresh Catering
