Overview
Earlier this year, it was announced that Sydney hospitality legends Kenny Graham and Jake Smyth (of Mary's, The Lansdowne, The Unicorn, P&V Wine and Liquor, Mary's Pizzeria) were taking over historic jazz venue The Basement and transforming it into a live gig space, a wine bar and a new harbourside Mary's — and the latter is opening tomorrow.
Yep, on Wednesday, May 1, when you knock off work, you'll be able to stroll on down to Circular Quay and dig into a juicy Mary's burger and fried cauliflower. Wait, what? Yep, this new Mary's will, for the first time ever, have a vegan menu. Plant-based peeps, rejoice — you'll now be able to get your fill of the famed burgers and fried 'chicken'. The 'chicken' will be fried cauliflower and the burgers made with vegan patty, cheese, bun and a vegan take on Mary's sauce. As an added bonus, there'll also be no chance of contamination with the kitchen having its own vegan-only cool room, grills and fryers.
If you were lucky enough to head along to Mary's Newtown's one-off all-vegan collab with Shannon Martinez (of Melbourne's Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli), you'll know that the boys do vegan well. Very well. As co-owner Smyth said in a statement, "it's fucking delicious plant based food, designed to make your carnivorous mates jealous."
Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham by Leyla Muratovic.
Those carnivorous mates who do prefer their burgers and fried chicken the traditional Mary's way — made with juicy beef and poultry — fear not, you'll find all the meat-filled classic here, too. As well as Mary's classic loud tunes, natural wines, local beers and raucous service. And, if there's not already graffiti in the bathrooms when the 100-seat venue opens, we're sure it won't be long till there is.
In a change of direction for the duo, though, you'll also be able to eat your burgers outdoors (in the sun) at the 30-seat Mary's Alfresco.
And there's more to come from the new Mary's digs, too. While the upstairs restaurant — fittingly called Mary's Circular Quay — is opening tomorrow, Mary's Underground, the live music venue and full-service restaurant, is slated to open by the end of the month. We'll let you know when it does.
Find Mary's CQ at 7 Macquarie Place, Sydney from Wednesday, May 1. It's open from midday–12am Monday–Wednesday, midday–1am Thursday–Saturday, and midday–10pm on Sunday.
Top image: Mary's Newtown.