The Owners of Newtown Mainstay Hartsyard Have Sold the Business

Newtown mainstay Hartsyard has brought a much-loved dose of the American south to Enmore Road for nearly seven years now — mostly thanks the owners, New York-born head chef Gregory Llewellyn and his Aussie wife Naomi Hart. From its famed fried chicken and Sunday brunches to its recent revamp and menu overall, Hartsyard has kept Sydneysiders coming back for more throughout its tenure, as anyone who has tried (and failed) to get a last-minute reservation can tell you.

Now, it's time for a new chapter in the Hartsyard saga as the owners sell the business. But, before you panic, the news isn't all that bad — the buyer is the restaurant's existing head chef and Automata alumnus Jarrod Walsh.

Walsh took over in the kitchen back in January when Hartsyard reopened with a refreshed look and menu. He will resume full ownership of the business as of 2019, along with his partner Dorothy Lee. A new menu will follow suit, though it won't deviate far from the existing one. And most of the kitchen crew and staff will stay on as well. Basically, patrons of the original are still in very good hands.

As for Llewellyn and Hart, they'll move full focus onto Wish Bone (previously The Gretz). The couple's fried chicken joint reopened early this year and acts as a haven for many Hartsyard original menu items — so don't worry, your go-to fried chicken fix isn't going anywhere.

Image: Alex Mayes.