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The battle for the title of Sydney's best tapas just got another contender. Melbourne's famed MoVida finally opened its northern outpost last week, at 50 Holt Street, Surry Hills. It's an all-star MoVida menu line-up; anchovy with smoked tomato sorbet, beef cheek in Pedro Ximenez with cauliflower puree and crispy pig's ear dish have all made the trip north. Short Black's eyes went straight to the goat's curd and quince cigar, and the extensive smallgoods selection. "I've been realy impressed by the smallgoods up here," MoVida owner Frank Camorra says. The diners have impressed him, too. "We've already had Sydney regulars in who come to the Melbourne restaurants." MoVida Sydney isn't a finished product. "We're still waiting on some tiles for the bar to arrive from Spain," Camorra says.
Laundy nabs Watsons Bay
A head-to-toe revamp and room for more customers in its famed beer garden are believed to be part of the plans for the Watsons Bay Hotel, which was snapped up by the Laundy family for $25 million. Hotelier Fraser Short is a minority player in the deal and will lend his expertise as a Sydney restaurant and bar tsar who has successfully launched a number of local venues including the Morrison on George Street.
Signorelli branches out
Troubled venue Manly Pavilion is poised to rise again with Paul Signorelli, operator of Signorelli Gastronomia and Doltone House at Pyrmont, confirming he has made an offer. ''We're still interested,'' Signorelli says. Expanding his group, Signorelli is set to open a branch of Signorelli Gastronomia next door to Bambini Wine Room on Elizabeth Street in the city early next year. ''We've also taken level three at 179 Elizabeth Street, where we'll build a glam 650-seater, the Hyde Park Ballroom,'' he says. Architect Koichi Takada has signed to design both venues. Takada is also the designer of Sushi Train in Maroubra, which snared a number of international design awards.
Kidman's quiet return
Former Otto head chef James Kidman is back in Sydney after a long spell in Canberra, where he oversaw the food at the National Gallery and helped open Dieci e Mezzo restaurant in Canberra City. Kidman slid quietly into the kitchen at Paddington stalwart Darcy's. ''I've got a long association with owner Attilio [Marinangeli],'' Kidman told Short Black. A larger role with Darcy's was being tipped, but the latest rumour is Kidman is torn after an approach for a group role at a large hospitality group.
A new style of Jazz
With Jazz City Diner sailing at 238 Crown Street, Darlinghurst, American chef Dan McGuirt is expanding his empire, snaring a second site around the corner at the Republic 2 development on Palmer Street, where he'll open Jazz City Milk Bar next month. ''You'll be able to buy a bottle of milk or a milkshake, but given our neighbours are places like Universal and Lucio Pizzeria, we also want to offer sophisticated American dishes for dinner,'' McGuirt says. Oatmeal risotto with mushrooms and truffles is slated for its opening menu.
Following mum to school
Martin Teplitzky, the chef who steered Berowra Waters Inn after Gay Bilson left, returns to Australia at the end of the year after a 12-year stint in Europe, where he became a celebrity chef in Scotland as a columnist before moving to Italy. The son of late cookbook author Gretta Anna will hop into his mother's kitchen clogs, launching the Take 2 Eggs cooking school at the Harry Seidler-designed house where the Gretta Anna cooking school operated.
Wood you believe it?
Hamish Ingham and Rebecca Lines's restaurant at the Four Seasons Sydney on George Street finally has a name. The Woods, which opens next month, will use a variety of Australian wood - lemonwood to oak wine barrels - as its flavour profile.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 October 2012
