Credit: Buffet Digital

Nestled in between the towering buildings of the Sydney CBD sits Kittyhawk. Inspired by the energy of Liberation Day in Paris in 1944 – when French and American soldier reclaimed the capital city during World War II – the restaurant and bar is an amalgamation of history and food. Some would say that after opening in 2016 the outpost (and restaurants around the country) have endured a metaphorical war of their own: fighting to stay open. The past three years have seen Kittyhawk suffer from intermittent closures due to the pandemic and now in 2023 has reopened with a completely revamped menu.

Kittyhawk is operated by Jared Merlino of Merlino & Co (behind the likes of The Lobo, Big Poppas and Bartolo) while the kitchen is lead by Head Chef Leonard Michaud. The menu – French-inspired with a modern Australian twist – is designed around the ethos of high-quality food in a beautiful, yet unpretentious space.

Credit: Buffet Digital

Upon entry to the venue visitors are met with a winding walkway and a dimly-lit open plan dining room. Groups of diners chat in leather booths while other people are peppered along the bar – at capacity the space can hold 175 guests. Outside was another gloomy La Nina day in January but there was something distinctly warm about the space. Despite the French-inspired menu, it felt almost New York City-esque.

Credit: Buffet Digital
Credit: Buffet Digital

Kittyhawk prides itself on an entire menu dedicated to iterations of the Old Fashioned however if rum and rye is not quite your beverage of choice, the cocktail and wine list is long. It does well to feature both local tipples and exotic imports to match with your meal while the venue also serves as a fitting ‘after work drinks’ and small plates kind of location. Caviar bump, anyone?

Credit: Buffet Digital
Credit: Buffet Digital

The food menu is designed to share and offers plenty of selections from angus eye fillet and sumptuous beef brisket to the ever-changing Fish of the Day and king prawns with a miso butter. Crowd favourites include a burrata, steak tartare and duck liver pate – speaking to the kitchen’s french influences. Eat and drink to live Jazz and Blues music on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

If Kittyhawk proves anything, it’s that the city is alive and well. Book a table here.