Kitchen By Mike's New Canteen Set to Open at Sydney International Airport

When Kitchen by Mike shut its doors in Rosebery back in 2015, it left a very large, canteen-shaped hole in our hearts. Our spirits were lifted again when head chef and nutrition guru Mike McEnearney opened No. 1 Bent Street in the city, and Mike's next venture was announced almost a year ago. Now the time has come again for renewed jubilation, because Kitchen by Mike is back. At the airport.

While you will need to drop a little coin on an international flight to experience Mike's take on healthy, fresh and generous grub, for those familiar with the experience of trying to eat anything that will stay down at 6am while waiting in a pretty dreary surrounding, the new addition to the dining options is an absolute blessing. Set to open mid-February to March near much-publicised new venue The Bistro by Wolfgang Puck, Kitchen by Mike will be a fresh local alternative to the fast food chains dwelling at Sydney Airport.

True to form, the menu at the airport canteen will change day to day, depending on the seasonal, local produce that's available. There'll be a couple of meat and fish dishes, like a Kurobutta ham with mash and cumberland sauce or mackerel with asparagus and herb butter. On top of that, there'll be a vast array of the incredible salads that have come to be the staple of McEnearney's trade. There'll also be a few local wines on the list, including unique house red and white from McClaren Vale and Mudgee, respectively.

For those intrepid travelers on the fly, Mike will also be serving up carry-on lunches ('Fly by Mike') packed fresh to order, and a smaller sample of tasty beverage to whet your whistle. And, if you've forgotten to pick up a few souvenirs to take with you, Mike's retail range of jams, chutneys and sauces will be waiting to save you from that particular awkward moment.

Although it's not the readily available canteen of its Rosebery days, Kitchen by Mike is most definitely back, just at the small price of, you know, an overseas holiday.

Kitchen by Mike will open at Sydney's T1 International Terminal in February/March. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served from 6am to 10pm.

Images: Alana Dimou.