Hazel Kitchen and Bar

Overview

Sydney's a city that has a charming knack for taking a heritage setting and giving it a contemporary fit-out. It's an architectural practice that can be seen everywhere from the heart of the city to the quiet streets of Gymea. The latter is where you'll find Hazel Kitchen & Bar.

Set in the grounds of the Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Hazel specialises in morning coffees, baked treats, seasonal menus and garden cocktails. In the morning, you'll find granola, breakfast rolls, wholemeal crepes, ricotta pancakes and yuzu avocado toast.

Come lunch and dinner, the offering switches to a mix of lighter serves and large plates. Light dishes include charred bread with stracciatella and onion marmalade, grilled octopus with chorizo, apple cider and mojo verde and sake marinated kingfish crudo with blood orange, jalapeño and finger lime.

The heavier plates include roast eggplant with pearl couscous, pomegranate, feta, pine nuts, preserved lemon and yoghurt; grilled Northern Rivers pork chop with apple celeriac remoulade and chimichurri, and charred coral trout with steamed bok choy, snow peas, sesame and ponzu.

Pair them with house cocktails like the Hazel Martini (vanilla vodka, passionfruit liquor, fresh lime and cuvée) or a mix of classics or French, Italian and Aussie wines — all in an extremely vibey setting.

Designed by Shantala Mack to fit the frame of the original 1940s cottage built by the Broadhurst family, it's an open flow of an art deco interior that flows into the cottage garden. Kids and kidults can stretch their legs out on the grass while you tuck into something hot or cold — but it'll be fresh no matter what.

Images: Supplied.