After eight years standing tall as a Surry Hills favourite, Sugarcane has finally seen a second location. Chef and owner Milan Strbac is set for a little seachange with this one, this week launching the new iteration of the South-East Asian eatery as a 100-seated, seafood-focused restaurant located on the southern end of Coogee’s beautiful beachfront.
Earlier this year the Sugarcane brand saw a well-received extension into fried chicken with the neon-lit Juicy Lucy. Now Strbac will be tightening his focus on fresh seafood to pair up with Sugarcane’s new location, creating a modern, accessible Asian menu that’s said to be well balanced and making the best use of fresh and local ingredients where possible. Many of the staples from the original Sugarcane menu will also be appearing at this coastal interpretation.
Ex-Mr Wong chef Tristan Balian has joined to kitchen as sous chef, along with ex-Catalina chef Yoshi Fuchigami, rounding out a team which will be dedicated to using fresh seasonal seafood in the menu’s raw section. This will result in dishes like the Half Shell Scallop Ceviche with lime and chilli, a Sashimi Platter with Sugarcane’s South-East Asian twist, and Wagyu Beef Carpaccio with soy, mirin, ginger, and spring onion.
Larger dishes will include a north Sumatran curry of Milly Hill Lamb Neck and Fermented Sausage San Choy Bau, in addition to Sugarcane’s popular Crispy Chicken which will be reinterpreted and served with quince and blood orange. Dishes can be paired with a range of Asian inspired cocktails pumped out from a bar led by Ex-Uncle Ming mixologist Flynn McClellan, all of which will be available until midnight each night. Ged Higgins (Bentley Bar & Restaurant) has joined the team as consulting sommelier, curating a small wine list to complement the various Asian flavours and seafood.
“I want the restaurant to have a casual feel where you could walk in off the beach, have a few snacks and a drink, and feel comfortable in your beach gear”, said Milan. “Or the ideal venue for a casual date night”. The design has helped achieve this more relaxed feeling, with Giant Design bringing the space to life with warm timber finishes, bamboo, and a hanging garden, creating an Asian-style beach house that makes full use of the ocean views.
Sugarcane Restaurant
Address: 56 Carr Street, Coogee
Contact: 02 9281 1788
Website: sugarcanerestaurant.com.au
Hours: Tues-Sun 5:30pm-12am
Images supplied and credited to Nikki To.
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