Overview
While Italian flavours steal the show at Darlinghurst's Sagra, the owners' latest venture Ortzi promises, instead, a trip through the Basque region.
The warm, rustic eatery from Michael Otto, Jared Lanzua and Edward Saxton is set to open its doors this week, taking over a cheery split-level space on Surry Hills' Hunt Street.
The trio has stuck with a simple, rustic theme, from the food, through to the fitout — if you're not one of the lucky ducks stealing away for a 2018 European summer, this joint might just help fill the void.
From the kitchen, expect a share-friendly offering that'll get regular shake-ups throughout each week, championing locality, seasonality and a nose-to-tail approach. Many of the meats will come from whole beasts butchered on site, and as many elements as possible are being made in-house, from bread and butter through to the cheese.
There'll be a strong lineup of pintxos, both authentic and more innovative, including roasted oysters with root vegetable consommé, croquettes stuffed with jamon and idiazabal cheese, and a decadent lobster and celeriac roll.
Just be sure to leave some room for the larger dishes, like cider-cooked pork shoulder with wood-roasted apples; a woodfired rib-eye with charred onions and romesco; and a charred leek, saffron and curd tart. And dessert — where you'll find Pedro Ximénez-soaked pears and an olive oil and pine nut torte, among others.
Also flying the flag for the Basque region is the drinks list, starring the area's beloved 'cidre' (flat cider), alongside wines sourced from across Northern Spain and Southern France.
Find Ortzi at 6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills, from Thursday, June 7.
Images: Alana Dimou