New on Resy: Arthur, Carbòn, Mary’s Underground

Arthur is one of a new breed of socially conscious, produce-driven Sydney restaurants that serve elegant modern tasting menus exploring the provenance of the region. A five-course sharing menu is the order of the day here (when everyone’s having the same thing, there’s no wastage); dishes arrive two at a time, making the experience far more convivial than a traditional tasting. The Surry Hills location draws a clued-up local crowd, who appreciate the relaxed neighbourhood feel as much as chef Tristan Rosier’s wizardry. 

A stylish restaurant from the boys behind nearby Taqiza, Carbòn brings the best elements of Mexican dining to a sunny corner of Bondi. The focus here is on the parrillan (barbecue), an open charcoal flame used to lend a smokey kiss to everything from tortillas to seafood and salsas. Dishes are designed to be shared with friends and eaten with your hands, lending a casual elegance to a place that draws a snazzy clientele of locals looking to get loose with a few mezcals. 

A big-time makeover of Sydney classic The Basement, Mary’s Underground takes the spirit of the live music venue and gives it an upscale veneer. While the new menu features dry-aged duck and lobster (and the wine list leans natural and organic), the vibe remains true to the basement space’s intimate character; a house band knocks out jazz most nights, while the atmosphere can veer between relaxed lounge to full-blown party.  

An oasis tucked away in Kings Cross, this laid-back cafe focuses on the kind of homestyle dishes we’d be happy to have every day, each with a creative twist that embodies the restaurant’s playful approach to dining. House-cured bacon and corn cakes are a must, and five-spice meatloaf cosies up nicely with the straightforward pleasures of the kitchen’s fruit tarts — a speciality. Hit it at the weekend for a relaxed dinner with cocktails and live music, all served in a space that looks like Iris Apfel moved in with Nigella. 

Imagine an izakaya and a beach bar shacking up in Manly, and the result would look and feel like Sunset Sabi. It’s an effortlessly fun spot that combines the intimacy of a late-night Japanese eatery with the informality of a drop-in neighbourhood bar, and it’s all the better for it. Exposed brick, industrial-ish interiors and Japanese interior details match well to a gleaming sushi bar where bandana-clad chefs slice and dice intricate nigiri and a la carte dishes like scallop with nashi pear, beef tataki, and izakaya-inspired dude-food staples like BBQ beef and shiitake tacos.