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The Michelin Guide comes to Sydney

Just kidding… but if it does, here are the restaurants we think it would love

If you’re a foodie you’ll be familiar with The Michelin Star rating and might even have eaten at one or two starred restaurants.

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Although not in Australia.

So far, the guide is only available in Europe, the US and parts of Asia. It hasn’t quite made it down under. But it might.

The first edition of The Michelin Guide was published in 1900 and was created by the French tyre company as a way to enable drivers (of which there were less than 3000 in France at the time) to know where to access mechanics, tyres and delectable food as they toured the country.

By 1911 Michelin were publishing guides in Switzerland, Germany, Spain and the British Isles but it wasn’t until 1926 that they began awarding restaurants with a single star for excellence.

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According to The Michelin Guide, “Restaurants may receive zero to 3 stars for the quality of their food based on five criteria: quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavour and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in his cuisine, value for money and consistency between visits.”

If it were to ever arrive on Australian soil there are a select few Sydney restaurants that would be contenders. The biggest question is who would receive a Michelin Star in Sydney, and how many stars would it achieve? 

Tetsuya

Tetsuya’s

Japanese chef Tetsuya Wakuma has created a unique blend of Japanese and French cuisine and has been operating in the Sydney CBD since 2000.

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As the Michelin Guide has a tendency towards French cuisine, Tetsuya’s would likely receive a star listing due to the poised ambience and uniqueness of the food.

Tetsuya’s 9-course degustation menu cost $240 and includes dishes such as Confit of Ocean Trout with Salad of Apple and Witlof, Wagyu Beef Sirloin with Chestnut Mushroom and WA Truffle and Chocolate Stone with Honey & Milk.

Likely rating: 2 Michelin stars

Aria
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Aria Restaurant Sydney

Aria Sydney, owned by Matt Moran and led by Executive Chef Joel Bickford turns 20 this year. Would it receive a Michelin Star? The likely answer is yes.

Situated in Sydney’s top spot overlooking the Harbour, their 8-course birthday tasting menu for $210 ($335 with matching wines) includes smoked buffalo milk, pear, onion, walnut and molasses and champagne lobster, brioche and caviar ticks all the Michelin boxes.

Likely rating: 1 Michelin star

Bistro Guillaume
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Bistro Guillaume

If there was ever a sweepstakes on which Sydney restaurant would receive a Michelin Star, Bistro Guillaume would get our vote.

Previousy located within the Sydney Opera House, French-born chef Guillaume Brahimi opened the CBD restaurant in 2016 and offers a 3-course lunch for just $45.

The menu includes typically Gallic cuisine such as escargot en persillade, chicken ballontine with wild mushrooms, spring greens and Paris mash and vanilla crème brûlée.

Likely rating: 1 Michelin star

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Ormeggio

Ormeggio at the Spit

One of the great things about Sydney is its ability to offer fine dining with a relaxed vibe.

The Michelin Guide seems to rank formal dining over casual so whether Ormeggio at the Spit would claim a star might not be based solely on their food. Even though the location overlooking the Spit at Mosman is a glory to behold.

Since opening in 1990 it’s received multiple awards including two Chef’s Hats in the National Good Food Guide and is counted as one of the Top 100 Delicious NSW Restaurants.

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Executive chef Alessandro Pavoni and Head Chef Victor Moya both have experience working in Michelin starred restaurants so the team definitely know what it takes to score a hat.

Likely rating: 1 Michelin star

Glasshouse

Glass Brasserie

Luke Mangan’s Glass Brasserie would be almost certain to achieve a Michelin hat rating.

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Head Chef Peter Cassidy’s simple and elegant approach to food is exactly what the Michelin Guide loves.

The Glass Brasserie’s degustation menu costs $145 and includes Crab omelette, okonomiyaki, bonito, nori, Japanese mayonnaise; Barramundi, mussels & saffron, carrot, fennel, tomato; Beef fillet, Riverina NSW, cauliflower, tomato, broad bean, olive and tarragon.

Dessert includes Pavlova with fig, blackberry and peach.

Likely rating: 2 Michelin stars

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