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Restaurants

Mode Kitchen & Bar Sydney

Mode Kitchen & Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney brings fresh, contemporary dining in elegant and welcoming surrounds.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Mode Kitchen & Bar

The restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney has seen a few incarnations of late, The Woods by Hamish Ingham in 2012 followed by Pei Modern by Mark Best in 2014. Mode Kitchen & Bar is a departure from the celebrity chef trend with the appointment of Head Chef Francesco Mannelli previously of Balla, est. and Uccello – a change that is a reflection of what hotel guests and Sydneysiders are looking for in a contemporary dining experience.

From the lobby, the restaurant appears to be encased in glass, separating the hotel vibe from the intimate dining ambience.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Interior

The interior was designed by Lucchetti Krelle, who have also designed Pei Modern but Mode Kitchen & Bar brings a totally different and welcome vibe far removed from the sombre black.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Wood Fire Oven

The wood fired oven has been retained but the new art deco features echo the glamour of the 1920s with velvet, polished brass, marble and leather finishes.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Open Kitchen

An open kitchen faces the central bar, a welcome change from previous the space allocated to the imbibing of pre-dinner drinks.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Private Dining Area

The venue has a capacity of 200 guests but you never lose the intimacy that the new design brings.

Mode Kitchen & Bar       
Chef’s Table

Seating includes stools at the new and striking marble central bar, a chef’s table, elegant banquettes, lounge seating and two private dining spaces.

The Bar

Mode Kitchen & Bar
The Bar

The cocktail menu at Mode Kitchen & Bar is far removed from that of neighbouring Grain Bar. The emphasis is on classic cocktails and as Restaurant Manager, Simone Cordedda puts it, “classics with a twist of modernity”.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Mode G&T

Start with the Mode G&T ($15), a mix of Archie Rose Dry Gin and StrangeLove Dirty Tonic which gives the drink a light effervescence and a savoury note from the sea salt and rosemary.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Verde Bloody Mary

The Verde Bloody Mary ($20) is a pure, green delight. Archie Rose Vodka is infused with chilli and mixed with umami Japanese vinegar, housemade horseradish cream, housemade truffle oil, green tomatoes then blended together. Creamy in texture, the flavour is exquisite, bright, fresh and green with a good measure of heat that doesn’t overpower the palate before a meal.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Simone Cordedda Preparing Boulevardier

For a classic pre-dinner drink, the Boulevardier ($20) with Bulleit Rye, Campari and Antica Formula hits the spot. Barrel aged for four weeks in ex-sherry cask, the drink has a spice notes from the time spent in cask which gives the spirit-forward cocktail a delicious end note.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Velvet Smoking Jacket

The Velvet Smoking Jacket ($20) is exactly what you need for an after dinner cocktail. Smoky Laphroaig 10 YO is mixed with a red wine and port reduction, grilled lemon juice which brings a char flavour, vanilla sugar and soda topped with caramelised dehydrated orange garnish. You get the smokiness of the whisky at first, followed by the richness of the wine reduction, a creamy texture like the name promises with a hint of charred citrus at the back palate. Simply exquisite.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Salt & Pepper School Prawns

If you’re feeling peckish at the bar, there is a separate bar menu and the Salt & Pepper School Prawns ($10) go down like a treat.

The Restaurant

The food focus by Head Chef Francesco Mannelli at Mode Kitchen & Bar is on flavoursome and uncomplicated dishes that reflect the locally sourced produce while taking inspiration from the Mediterranean.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Grilled Calamari Salad

From the entrées comes the Grilled Calamari Salad, Brussels Sprouts, Lemon & Chilli ($24), lightly charred and ever so tender with supple Brussels sprouts that make you fall in love with the divisive vegetable. A creamy puree of broccoli and sprouts binds the dish while a touch of chilli spice lifts the flavours.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Grass-Fed Black Angus Tartare

The classic tartare gets a Japanese influence via Italy. The Grass-Fed Black Angus Tartare, Shallot & Seaweed ($24) is crowned with shallots and seaweed, dotted with yuzu mayo and colatura, an Italian fish sauce made from anchovies. It’s fresh and flavoursome with a lovely umami note.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Fremantle Octopus

From the wood fired oven comes the Fremantle Octopus, Potatoes, Leeks & Radishes ($36), a dish that seduces the senses with its smoky aromas. Taking inspiration from Galicia in Spain, the tender octopus is flavoured with paprika oil and rests on a bed of potato and leek purée. Exquisite aromas and flavours are the highlight of this dish. A dusting of paprika on the plate ensures the smoky aromas remain till the last bite.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder

A more substantially-sized main course is the Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder, Japanese Eggplant & Saltbush ($37). Flinders Island lamb is slow-cooked overnight until it’s ever so tender then finished on the stove top. The accompanying eggplant is inspired by Chinese flavours with a moreish glaze of soy and balsamic vinegar.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Roasted Beetroot

From the sides, the Roasted Beetroot, Goat’s Curd & Toasted Almond ($10) is good enough to be enjoyed an entrée.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Mille-Feuille

If you feel like something sweet to finish the night, the Mille-Feuille, Wild Berries & Chantilly ($15) hits the sweet spot with a flaky pastry that melts in the mouth and a light creme Chantilly.

Mode Kitchen & Bar

Mode Kitchen & Bar is located on the ground floor of Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, near Sydney’s Circular Quay and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Mode Kitchen & Bar
Four Seasons Hotel, Ground Floor,
199 George Street, Sydney
Ph: (02) 9250 3160
modekitchenandbar.com.au

About the author

Corinne Mossati

Corinne Mossati is a drinks writer, author of GROW YOUR OWN COCKTAIL GARDEN, SHRUBS & BOTANICAL SODAS and founder/editor of Gourmantic, Cocktails & Bars and The Gourmantic Garden. She has been writing extensively about spirits, cocktails, bars and cocktail gardening in more recent years. She is a spirits and cocktail competition judge, Icons of Whisky Australia nominee, contributor to Diageo Bar Academy, cocktail developer and is named in Australian Bartender Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential List. Her cocktail garden was featured on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia and has won several awards. She is a contributor to Real World Gardener radio program and is featured in several publications including Pip Magazine, Organic Gardener, Australian Bartender and Breathe (UK). Read the full bio here.