Overview
Chatswood Chase is looking a little more plush these days, having recently entered a new upscale era that rounds out a $625 million redevelopment. With the likes of Louis Vuitton, Loewe and Moncler now open on level one — the floor dedicated to all things luxury shopping — the arrival of Joie Brasserie offers visitors a sophisticated French-inspired dining experience designed to pair with the coveted neighbouring brands.
Led by acclaimed chef Jung-Su Chang of Vuza Group — the same team behind Surry Hills' two-hatted Korean degustation Allta — the concept underpinning this latest 60-seat venture blends elegant French cuisine and fine-dining precision. Yet the wonderfully presented dishes aren't held back by stuffy culinary tradition, with subtle Asian additions and influences bringing new inspiration to a host of time-proven classics.
Designed as an everyday luxury encounter, Joie's menu balances sophistication with approachability. Start with a Sydney rock oyster, then hit up the signature entree — grilled Clarence River octopus, finished with smoked butter sauce, fennel and potato. For mains, the dry-aged pork chop, served with a bacon gastrique, lentils and crunchy radicchio, is a highlight, as is the fresh seafood in vol-au-vent, featuring a prawn bisque sauce.
For dessert, a burnt pavlova with passionfruit sorbet delivers smoky sweetness and bright acidity. If you're in a more decadent mood, a chocolate mousse combines ginger crème anglaise with delicate cacao tuile. On the drinks front, Vuza's Joshua Hallissy brings intention to Joie's extensive offering, spanning restaurant signatures like the fruit-forward Paris Spritz and the darker Night in Normandy, featuring St Remy Brandy, blackcurrant, fig and walnut.
"Joie is about finding joy in the everyday," says Chef Jung-Su Chang. "Food that is refined, but never intimidating. A space that is elegant, but always welcoming. We want guests to walk in at any point in their day and feel that this was exactly the right place to be."
Conceived to be far more than your average shopping centre restaurant, Joie Brasserie's interiors enhance the experience. Warmly restrained, the space combines soft arched details, curved caramel-toned banquette seating and ambient lighting that changes with the service. Drawing from Chang's experience working in leading kitchens from Seoul to San Francisco, Joie's arrival in Chatswood is a welcome addition to the local culinary scene.
Joie Brasserie is now open daily from 11am–9pm at 1F/345 Victoria Ave, Chatswood. Head to the website for more information.
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Images: Supplied.