Hotel Sorrento Has Unveiled a Modern Cantonese Diner as Part of Its Huge Revamp

Hotel Sorrento has just landed a new venue as part of the first stage of renovations originally announced early last year. Here, in a buzzy pocket of the Mornington Peninsula, Hotel Sorrento has sat for nearly 150 years boasting enviable bay vistas. Now, the historic sandstone building is welcoming an overhauled food and drink offering helmed by George Calombaris as part of the first stage of its redevelopment, including modern Cantonese diner Shihuishi and a 12-seat chef's table in the Dining Room.

"The goal is to create dishes that not only satisfy the palate but tell a story of the region and the community's rich history," George Calombaris says.

Shihuishi is the newest addition to the Hotel Sorrento family, nestled in the original, grand Hotel Sorrento ballroom. Head chef Junlin (Jerry) Yi (ex-Red Spice Road) is unafraid to stray from tradition, from prawn crackers paired with crème fraîche; to spanakopita dumplings that marry whipped feta and dill.

Deeper into the menu, patrons will discover Australian-Canto cuisine that nods to the Chinese restaurant that stood onsite back in the 1980s. A prawn, lap cheong and onion stir-fry is a crowd-pleaser, along with duck pancakes and black pepper beef, served on a sizzling plate. Other classics run to the likes of steamed barra with soy, ginger and spring onion, or the ever-popular pork and prawn shumai.

A generous list of cocktails, wine as well as beer and mocktails completes the offering. Don't miss the Dynasty Margarita, a playful mixture of tequila, green tea, honey, lime, jalapeños, Szechuan and rosemary salt.

Meanwhile, in the Dining Room, Calombaris and Executive Chef Lucas Menezes Caporal will curate a new, rotating chef's table menu for 12 guests, who will score a front-row seat to all the culinary action.

Image: The Dining Room

Currently, three outdoor bars, Front Bar, Dining Room and Shihuishi are open to guests. The first stage of Hotel Sorrento's hefty makeover encompasses a new 30-metre pool, wellness retreat, day spa and new luxury suites. It is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Shihuishi is open Thursday–Sunday for lunch and dinner. The Dining Room is open seven days a week, also for lunch and dinner.