Overview
The Hills District has welcomed a huge new multi-faceted venue into its ranks, thanks to The Vicar in Dural. Run by the Whitehouse Properties Group, it's a massive, 2249-square-metre eatery offering two restaurants, a wine bar and an outdoor smoked meats bar — and that's just to start.
Much has gone into the venue's design, with award-winning firm Hecker Guthrie heading up the project. Light timber lounge furniture sits underneath conical-shaped, black copper light fixtures, heaps of natural light floods in from large windows and bi-fold doors, and the space maintains a warehouse feel thanks to a scaffolding-like roof.
The venue is split in two main parts, with distinct menus for each, both designed by executive chef Leigh McDivitt and food consultant Dave O'Brien (both ex-Merivale). Award-winning bartender Tim Philips (Dead Ringer, Bulletin Place) is looking after the drinks throughout the venue, so you know the drops will be top-notch.
On the north side of The Vicar, things are more relaxed, with the space boasting its own sports bar, a mix of high tables and lounge seating and a fireplace at its centre. The elevated pub-style menu uses local produce in otherwise simple dishes, like the dry-aged cheeseburger, ale-braised beef pie and woodfired pizzas.
An adjacent outdoor terrace offers more lounge seating, tables and umbrellas, along with an outdoor barbecue — dubbed the Northside Brisket Bar — serving up plenty of smoked meats, including Rangers Valley beef brisket and free-range smoked pork shoulder.
The south's more refined eatery, Wakefield's Dining Restaurant, features an extensive sharing menu with dishes such as grilled octopus with smoked eggplant, pomegranate and sunflower leaf; whole rotisserie spatchcock in a oregano and smoked paprika dry rub; leg ham with maple, cinnamon and star anise; and wine-braised lamb shoulder, served with smoked carrot puree and black garlic.
Mrs. Goldsmith's Wine Bar, also on the south boasts its own kitchen and deck, too. The sophisticated menu will offer the likes of king prawns with pumpkin, crispy quinoa and seed praline and sea urchin brioche with chicken skin butter.
If that doesn't sound like quite enough, there are also a drive-through bottle shop, a gaming room, a function space and a 24-room hotel to come. It's to be seen if all this can be pulled-off in one venue, but it sounds like Dural will soon be home to a good'un.
The Vicar is now open at 271 New Line Road, Dural. Opening hours are Monday through Saturday from 10am–midnight and Sunday from 10am–10pm. Please note that Wakefield's and Mrs Goldsmith's Wine Bar will be closed until January 22.
Images: Dominic Loneragan. Updated: January 7, 2019.