Eastside Grill will be helmed by acclaimed chef, veteran of Michelin-starred restaurants, Stanley Wong.

Chippendale will be treated to an upmarket grill dining concept when Eastside Grill open its doors in The Old Rum Store on Kesington Street next Saturday 28 January. The latest venture from the Greencliff group is stamped with the international experience of Executive Chef, Stanely Wong, whose resume includes the likes of New York’s Spice Market, Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and most recently, Kensington Street’s own The Private Kitchen pop-up. Eastside Grill will fuse American influences with the subtle usage of Japanese flavours.

Wong’s coming together of these two vastly different influences is apparent right from his selection of starters, where standouts such as buttermilk-marinated calamari with ginger chilli dip ($13), sashimi of Moreton Bay Bug with nashi par, black garlic and jalapeno ($28), and roasted bone marrow, mushrooms and ginger ($19) set the tone for Wong’s cross-culinary approach.

From the flameless smoulder of the Binchotan grill, the bourbon-brined Kurobuta pork chop with smoked apple and fig chutney ($39) will be hard to resist, while the red-wine-braised octopus with smoked eggplant and rice crisps ($32) is another tough one to pass up. The truffled mac n’ cheese from the sides is another devilish temptation.

For dessert, the American influence comes through where house-made New York style cheesecake ($15) and cinnamon-dusted vanilla cream doughnut holes with mocha ice-cream ($12) jostle for attention.

Unfortunately, the venue is still waiting on its impending liquor licence to be granted, but you can expect an array of international wines with American drops dominating the selection. The menu will also feature classic cocktails, boutique whiskies and sake, all ready the moment they can legally pour you a glass.

Like many of the buildings in Manhattan’s meatpacking district, The Old Rum Store building has an industrial past, and existing exposed brick walls were retained as well as the statement arched windows overlooking Kensington Street. Combined with cues from American steakhouses such as dark timbers, leather upholstery and bronze panelling, Eastside Grill emulates the atmosphere of a New York warehouse. Dark, sexy and theatrical, the restaurant features a leather panelled-bar, custom bras chandeliers  and an assortment of steel and leather, marrying the existing raw structure of this 100 year old building with the classic elements of a New York grill.

Eastside Grill
(02) 9212 0900
Level 1, 2-10 Kesington Street, Chippendale
Mon-Wed 5:30pm-10pm, Thur 12pm-3pm, 5:30-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-3pm, 5:30-10:30pm
eastsidegrill.com.au