Penelope's is a sleek CBD restaurant starring an exciting menu that reflects the city's multicultural landscape.
Located in Quay Quarter Tower at Circular Quay, not only does the lavish restaurant boast a genre-defying menu but it also provides breathtaking scenes of the Harbour Bridge for those dining to impress. Got the in-laws staying from out of town? The view, food and service at Penelope's ought to achieve an appropriate level of 'wow'.
The 132-seater features a sleek bar, a breezy balcony dining area and plush lounges throughout the interior dining room, with the Harbour Bridge-facing venue spotlighting the iconic landmark with views from every seat.
Owner and Executive Chef Cuong Nguyen (ex-Hello Auntie) and Head Chef Bremmy Setiyoko (ex-Spice Temple, Sepia) have drawn influence from Sydney's plethora of diversity, as well as Nguyen's own Vietnamese heritage and exposure to the culinary landscape of the Inner West, to curate Penelope's menu.
Each dish creatively highlights Mediterranean, Asian and modern Australian flavours with a big focus on flavour.
Standout dishes include the bakar chicken — a coriander and turmeric-coated roast chicken paired with toum (garlic sauce) and a turmeric and lemongrass sambal for some heat — inspired by Nguyen's mother's cooking, the surprising wonton-style pork and prawn ravioli in a familiar brown butter and sage sauce and the Lakemba spiced lamb shoulder, drawing on Asian and Mediterranean flavours, paired with fermented chilli and yoghurt.
As for drinks, a big focus on wine has led to an offering of over 100 sips ranging from Australia's up-and-coming tipples to imported wines from across the globe.
For cocktails, Australian natives take centre stage. The whisky-based Jiminy Cricket stars peppermint gum, and the Bogan Old Fashioned highlights wattleseed paired with a quintessentially Australian Vegemite caramel. Trust us, it works.
