Redbird Is the New Redfern Spot From Two Former Billy Kwong Staff Serving Up Chinese-Inspired Dishes
Head to Redfern Street to enjoy whole poached birds, sticky caramelised pork belly and jasmine margaritas.
"I never want a guest to walk away hungry — ample sauce is a must." This is the mantra of chef Hamish Ingham when talking about his new Redfern eatery Redbird. Ingham met his partner in crime Rebecca Lines while they were working at Billy Kwong. After the pair linked up to become a hospitality power couple, opening the likes of Bar H, Banksii and Tequila Daisy, they're now bringing the skills they learnt back in the Crown Street kitchen to their latest opening.
Redbird presents simple and fresh takes on classic modern Chinese dishes using local and native ingredients. Sydney rock oysters and steamed ginger Murray cod make an appearance on the menu, alongside sticky caramelised pork belly, prawn toast and stir-fried greens.
"I also want them to experience that perfect meeting of salty, sweet and sour that has kept me coming back to this style of cooking for 22 years and counting," says Ingham.
The signature dish on the menu is the eponymous Redbird. Which bird is the subject of this dish will change regularly, from chicken to pigeon to duck. What stays the same is poaching the poultry in an aromatic Cantonese red braise.
Other highlights on the menu include chilli-spiced lotus root chips, five-spice tofu salad, pork and scallop wontons, and stir-fried beef fillet. For dessert, you can opt for the lighter strawberry and Sichuan sorbet, or double down on the indulgence by ordering the jasmine custard with verjuice caramel — or Sichuan caramel chocolate truffles.
There's also a hefty cocktail menu, ranging from the Redfern sour — a mix of Bacardi Blanca, Pernod, osmanthus syrup, mint and lime leaf — through to the jasmine margarita made with Patron Reposado, yuzushu, jasmine syrup, lime, and a smoke and salt bitter.
The inviting dining room is defined by exposed brick, recycled timber and terrazzo tiles, while there's a 20-seat al fresco dining area out on Redfern Street providing a perfect people-watching vantage point.
Redbird is located at 99 Redfern Street, Redfern — open 12–3.30pm Friday–Sunday for lunch and 5.30pm–late Wednesday–Saturday for dinner.
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