Hospitality giant snaps up iconic Lavender Bay restaurant
An iconic lower north shore restaurant has been sold to hospitality veteran Bill Drakopoulos, owner of Ormeggio at The Spit, Chiosco, Ripples at Chowder Bay and Milsons Point.
He is also responsible for award-winning Aqua Dining, which will re-open next year above the revamped North Sydney Olympic Pool.
Drakopoulos, who has built one of the country’s biggest restaurant groups, now adds Sails on Lavender Bay to the stable after owners Greg Anderson and Patricia Nunes confirmed the sale.
Former Aria chef Anderson said the pair were ready to sell the waterfront restaurant, which Anderson has owned since 2008.
Settlement is expected before the end of the month.
“I have been attracted to Sails for a very long time,” Drakopoulos told Mosman Collective.
“When I ran Pier One in the 1980s, I used to look across Sydney Harbour and dream about owning it.”
Drakopoulos intends to keep the menu intact with a heavy emphasis on seafood and French techniques. He will also keep the name.
“It would be silly to change the name because Sails’ is known for five-star food, wine and service.
“It’s an iconic Sydney destination.”
The restaurant will undergo a refresh to attract even more tourists.
“People who live on the lower north shore are very fortunate to have restaurants like Sails on their doorstep,” he said.
“But for tourists and visitors to Lavender Bay, a visit to Sails should be nothing short of a momentous occasion, and we will continue with that tradition.
“It is a quintessential Sydney location. If you want to show off the beautiful harbour, then Sails is the perfect option.
“We are looking forward to the beginning of a new era for Sails of Lavender Bay.”
Jonathan Jackson, 10th May 2023
