Orana in Residence

Overview

Sydneysiders, get ready. You finally have a chance to eat at Adelaide's Restaurant Orana this winter — without jumping on a plane heading south. The award-winning restaurant, which not only has three hats, but was also awarded the 2018 Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller, will be popping up in Surry Hills for one month, taking over the space most recently home to Longrain.

The degustation-only restaurant run by star chef and owner Jock Zonfrillo will set up shop in the space from August 16–September 15, with a new design by SJB inspired by Australian flora and a new menu created just for Sydney. If you haven't been lucky enough to visit Orana before, the food is known for its inventive use of Indigenous Australian ingredients. Previous dishes have included the likes of marron with Geraldton wax and green tree ants, potato damper with roasted lamb butter (pictured below) and kangaroo with smoked potato and wattleseed.

At the Sydney pop-up, dubbed Orana in Residence, there will also be a strong focus on native produce — Zonfrillo promises over 50 Australian "seeds, fruits, nuts, trees, shoots, shellfish, honey, ants, seafood" to make an appearance — with the team sourcing ingredients from Indigenous communities across Australia. Zonfrillo not only uses and promotes Indigenous Australian ingredients at his restaurants, either, he also runs the non-profit Orana Foundation, which helps foster and preserve Australia's Indigenous food culture.

And ten percent of all profits from Orana in Residence will go to this non-profit, too. A 22-course meal at the Sydney pop-up will set you back $350 — just for the food — which must be paid at time of booking, with reservations opening on Tuesday, July 9. For drinks, standard and premium wine pairings, as well as a non-alcoholic option will be available for purchase on the night. You'll also be able to order wines by the glass and bottle.

We think this is going to book out very quickly, so if you're keen to go, book it in ASAP.

Images: Nikki To