Shuk and Salt Meats Cheese to Open New Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, Popina

Two of our fave Sydney food institutions are heading down to Circular Quay, where they're working together on a new 200-seat restaurant and bar. Due to open mid-October, Popina is the new venture from Salt Meats Cheese in partnership with the team from Shuk in North Bondi. Think Middle Eastern cuisine meets wood-fired pizza, and you'll be somewhere on the right track.

Located within the new Gateway Building with views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the two-storey restaurant and bar was born out of the long-time friendship between SMC directors Stefano de Blasi and Edoardo Perlo, and Shuk head chef German Sanchez. The latter will bring his culinary expertise to the kitchen at Popina, where he'll combine Italian, Turkish, Lebanese and Israeli flavours with those of his native Argentina. Think pizza, pasta and Italian cured meats alongside kofta, falafel, shakshouka and house-made hummus.

"Our menu will be truly unique," said Sanchez. "The flavours and spices of the Middle East perfectly marry the wood-fired pizzas, and ancient grain flour pastas. This is the dream chef kitchen where you can play with so many different ingredients all together."

In addition to its mouth-watering menu, Popina will boast a 150 person rooftop bar. Open until midnight, it'll feature a selection of cocktails paired with "a very unique BBQ offering", and play host to local DJs every night.

Popina is scheduled to open within the Gateway Building at Circular Quay on October 15. Stay tuned for more information.

Image: Salt Meats Cheese Broadway.