Overview
Just a few days after announcing some of its 2020 summer program, Westpac Openair has come out with some more big news — it's food offering. Here, instead of popcorn and choc tops, you'll be feasting on the likes of oysters, lamb shoulder and chicken liver pâté. And it'll all be cooked by two of NSW's best chefs, James Viles (Biota, Bertha's Meats) and Clayton Wells (Automata, A1 Canteen).
Those panoramic harbour views will be rivalled by the duo's menus of produce-driven eats that are a lot fancier than your standard movie snacks. At The Lounge by James Viles, an outdoor diner, you'll find locally foraged ingredients and some of Biota's best dishes. There'll be oysters with finger lime dressing, fried bread topped with cured pork jowl and pickles, and taramasalata served alongside grilled potato bread.
Larger dishes, which can be enjoyed as part of a two- or three-course menu, include smoked beef tartare, sashimi kingfish belly paired drizzled with nori oil, stracciatella with burnt summer peaches and river trout served with smoked roe and lemon aspen butter. Other quality meats on the lineup include wild-caught barramundi, Tasmanian octopus and Maremma duck. You'll be eating it all in the lounge overlooking Sydney Harbour, of course.
Wells, on the other hand, will be serving up a takeaway menu of gourmet sambos to enjoy from your seat. Expect one filled with chicken caesar, bacon and egg; fried fish on brioche with caper relish; and bagels schmeared with spiced cream cheese and veg. If you've ever eaten at A1 Canteen, you'll know these aren't your run-of-the-mill sandwiches. Alongside things in bread, there'll also be slow-roasted lamb shoulder with tahini yoghurt and chermoula-spiced chicken, plus fries with Old Bay salt, salads and fresh pastries.
Needless to say, this will not be your average dinner and a movie night.
Westpac Openair 2020 runs from January 9 to February 21, 2020. Tickets are on sale from 9am on Tuesday, December 10, with pre-sale tickets available for Westpac and St George customers from 9am on Friday, December 6.
We'll update you when the full lineup drops on November 29.