Overview
Back in April, Sydneysiders were hit with a dose of devastating news: longtime Enmore Road favourite Stanbuli would be closing with beloved chef Ibrahim Kasif stepping away from the venue. Following a few months of mourning for Stanbuli, we now have news of Kasif's next venture.
Following six years in the Inner West, Kasif will be moving to Surry Hills where he'll head up the latest venture from the NOMAD team — a new Reservoir Street bar and restaurant called Beau. The 100-seat spot will be divided into two sections, with one area dedicated to an all-day manoush-based eatery (which will be known as Dough) and the other a wine bar where quality drops will be accompanied by snacks from the kitchen.
"We're all incredibly proud to welcome Ibrahim into the NOMAD Group, a chef we've all long admired and who just gets real food," NOMAD Executive Chef Jacqui Challinor said. "I'm really excited about the diversity that Beau will offer and to dip our toes into a different market and concept. Come to the Dough side for a quick breakfast or lunch or grab a spread to take home to feed the family; or soak up the laneway and take a seat at the bar for a bit of indulgence."
At the centre of the menu will be Lebanese flatbread, infused with za'atar and cheese or lamb mince. The manoush will be accompanied by complementary Middle Eastern staples like fried cauliflower, falafel or hummus and meat. Patrons can come to enjoy a sit-down meal, or pick up food to-go, with a daily takeaway menu and Single O coffee on offer.
At the wine bar, seafood will play a big role. Expect a 300-strong wine list and wine on tap with a strong focus on local drops and natural wines — as well as a selection of sustainability-focused cocktails utilising waste from the kitchen.
Beau will be located just down the road from NOMAD and will have private use of Franks Lane which connects Reservoir Street to NOMAD's Foster Street.
"Whilst the Reservoir St site has definitely had its challenges, we're confident that it will add to our local community that we've been a part of for so long," NOMAD Group Owner Rebecca Yazbek says. "We have always lived and worked in the area and thought what we'd like to see is manoush and a wine bar. We never thought there would be an opportunity to combine the two! We like to think of this as NOMAD's cool little sibling, exhibiting all the family values but like all third children, a little cooler, a little funkier, a little freer to find its own identity."
Beau will open in late 2022 at 52 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills.
Top image: Kitti Gould