W Sydney’s to embrace highway views with architecture and culinary delights

W Sydney is only a couple of months from its grand Harbourside opening and recently unveiled a new dining concept, BTWN, which deals directly with views of the multi-lane CBD traffic that threatened its claims of “harbourfront luxury”.

The first outpost at the Marriott-operated property will be 2AM: Dessert Bar by Singaporean celebrity chef Janice Wong, who has twice been named Asia’s pastry chef of the year in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

The restaurant’s multiple planned spaces includes a separate breakfast bar, cocktail bar, main dining space and dessert bar which guests can move between.

BTWN or “between” is thus an appropriate name for the precinct. It is a 200-seat hospitality space on the third floor, with near eye-level views of Sydney’s Western Distributor.

The hotel is embracing the view in several ways, including using the “kinetic energy” of the location. London-based design firm Bowler James Brindley weaves elements of the road and urban surrounds.

It is highlighted by columns spray-painted with graffiti-style works by Sydney-based artist Sophie Odling, who has channelled the gritty street art of the nearby underpasses.

2AM: Dessert Bar is expected to be BTWN’s biggest drawcard, marked by Wong’s inventive desserts.

Menu items could include Cacao Forest, featuring dulcey chocolate mousse, passionfruit chocolate, and mango, lime and lychee consomme, and the Cassis Plum, the chef’s take on the dome-shaped bombe, served with elderflower yoghurt foam and choya (a plum liqueur) granita with yuzu pearls.

Chris Dodd of Aria fame oversees BTWN’s culinary offerings.

Bookings are now open for W Sydney ahead of its October 12 launch.

Jonathan Jackson, 7^th August 2023