Sydney’s best chef’s table dining experiences

IT’S a front-row insight into the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, the sound of clapping hands alerting waiters dishes are ready and the chance to meet the chef and hear about your meal first-hand — chef’s tables have become increasingly popular for diners looking for an authentic dining experience.

The Chefs Table at ARIA (Photo : Supplied)

While they are not cheap, foodies are embracing the experience for special occasions, such as birthdays, hen’s nights and Mother’s Day. Here are some of the best the city has to offer. And some are more affordable than you might have thought.

THE APOLLO, POTTS POINT

In a secret room that doubles as a pantry, opening straight on to the kitchen, the chef’s table at The Apollo has to be the most atmospheric in town. Feast on Mediterranean cuisine such as a chunky Greek salad, oven-baked lamb and cheese, honey and oregano saganaki and ask the head chef Joshua Davidson questions about how the food is cooked.

“The customers always interact,” co-owner Jonathan Barthelmess says. “When we bought the restaurant we couldn’t really change where anything was. That was where the dishes were washed and it was too big an area for that so we thought we could create a pantry and put a private table there.

“There’s also a private entry – you can come straight in the side – so it’s good for people who don’t want to be seen, like celebrities,” he says.

“There are no rules and it’s really laid back. Most people think if there’s a chef’s table there’s a degustation menu and it’s fine dining whereas here it’s just in the kitchen having a good time.”

The marble table seats 8-12 people with two sittings available, at 6.30pm and 8.30pm, with no minimum spend, or you can book the table for the whole night for $1200, including drinks.

Source: The Daily Telegraqph   Angela Saurine   February 10th 2015