In November of last year I went to Sydney for a weekend with a friend. We were lucky enough to get a two for one deal on our flights earlier in the year and I suggested that we splurge and go to Peter Gilmore’s Quay restaurant for lunch while we were there.
In 2012 Quay was voted Number 29 on the S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurant’s list (the highest ranked Australian restaurant) and has been named the best restaurant in Australasia for the last three years. The restaurant has also had 3 Hats and 3 Stars in The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide and Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide for 11 years. I had of course also seen Peter Gilmore and some of his amazing food on Masterchef Australia over the years. I was thrilled that we got a reservation (we did book 6 months in advance) and couldn’t wait to try the food.
Unfortunately a cruise ship was in the day we were there, so we didn’t get the views of the Opera House. We were informed of this when we booked however, so it wasn’t a surprise. The views from our table, on the observation deck, were still amazing with great views of the Rocks, the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park.
I had very high expectations from what I knew of the restaurant and happily the food and experience did not disappoint and in fact exceeded my expectations. It was one of the best meals of my life, definitely the best lunch I’ve ever had and is up there with my dinner at Heston’s The Fat Duck the year before (post to come soon, promise). We chose the four course lunch and everything was just amazing. Each plate looked like a work of art, too beautiful to eat. But then when you did eat it the flavours and textures were incredible. It is making my mouth water just thinking about it!
The flow of the food was very well timed, not once did it feel like you were waiting too long for the next course, while at the same time it didn’t feel rushed. The longest wait of the day was for our bill! I want to go back to Sydney again just to go back to the restaurant. My friend doesn’t eat seafood, but that was easily accommodated by the restaurant.
On the way out we ran into Chef Peter Gilmore in his chef whites and he had a chat to us, which I was thrilled about (I admit, I get a bit excited and flustered when I meet these top chefs). He was lovely. It was so nice to be at a top restaurant and actually see the chef there. I was so flustered I forgot to buy his book on the way out. Luckily for me he was at the Margaret River Gourmet Escape the next weekend and, even though he wasn’t signing the day I was there, I was able to arrange for a signed copy that was sent to me after the event.
Although every dish was extraordinary, the highlight for the meal for me was the white nectarine snow egg. So refreshing and the different textures were incredible.
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I’m so happy to read that this experience was a good one for you. Sometimes, it is disappointing to read underwhelming reviews of our top restaurants and that it really is about the hype, but obviously this is an exception. Thank you so much for sharing. I really want to make a booking now so I can experience what you did 🙂
Glad I could share my positive experience. I’ve been disappointed in the past with restaurants with top chef names attached to them (but not actually cooking there), so it was nice to actually have an experience that lived up to all the hype. 🙂
It really was an amazing meal, afterward I couldn’t get over how I felt completely satisfied without being over full, a new experience for me! The only thing I would add is that the fresh, warm bread we were offered in between each course was also devine! Every course really was wonderful how the flavours all combined together, and every staff member we spoke to was a pleasure to be around, they all seemed very happy to be there and really added to the enjoyment of the meal.