Grill Americano

Overview

One of Melbourne's most celebrated restaurants has arrived in Sydney. Grill Americano — the opulent Venetian-inspired steakhouse by zeitgeist-defining restaurateur Chris Lucas — has brought its white-jacket service and famed bistecca program to the heritage-listed former Qantas House building at 1 Chifley Square.

Much like when Lucas brought Chin Chin to Surry Hills in 2017, Grill Americano Sydney isn't a straight copy-paste job. Yes, the Flinders Lane hallmarks are here — blue velvet banquettes, a dramatic 30-metre-long marble bar and an open kitchen anchored by a Josper grill and woodfired oven — but now, they sit alongside Sydney-only additions: a daily espresso bar selection, two private dining rooms and the mid-century bones of one of the city's first high-rise towers, complete with soaring ceilings and full-height windows.

Myles Kalus

The menu — by Executive Chef Vincenzo Ursini (Ristorante Reale, Le Calandre, Mugaritz) in close collaboration with Lucas Collective's Head of Culinary Damian Snell and Lucas himself — has been thoughtfully reworked for its new postcode. A run of Sydney-exclusive plates leans into the Harbour City's access to top-shelf seafood, with newcomers like prawn panzerotto crowned with Oscietra caviar; tuna, 'nduja and anchovy crostini; and a saffron- and chilli-laced Sicilian-style seafood risotto. A dedicated raw seafood bar further expands the brief, featuring oysters, crustacea and a daily-changing crudo di pesce.

These sit alongside dishes that have fuelled Grill Americano Melbourne's devoted following, including seasonally evolving pasta made in-house daily, a 15-strong bistecca lineup spanning premium cuts and specialty preparations — like a 700g New York strip of grappa-infused, dry-aged Chauvel beef — and the show-stopping Tiramisù Americano, theatrically served tableside.

Jason Loucas

To drink, Master Sommelier Paolo Saccone oversees a sweeping, globetrotting wine program, while the cocktail list stays classic and Italian.

For Lucas, the Sydney opening marks a moment he's been building toward since opening Grill Americano Melbourne in 2022. "From the very early days of Grill Americano, I've had requests to open the concept in Sydney," he says. "Three years later, I'm thrilled to be bringing that idea to life...in a way that honours the original but also captures Sydney's unique energy and appetite for dining."

Jason Loucas

Images: Jason Loucas, Myles Kalus.