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Galleries and grazing: 10 perfect pairings to stimulate the senses

Text: Yeong Sassall

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Click through for 10 gallery and grazing recommendations

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1. AGNSW X DISTRICT BRASSERIE. Arguably the most iconic gallery in Sydney, The Art Gallery of NSW is located in the heart of central Sydney on Art Gallery Rd, The Domain. Wander the many light filled rooms and marvel at the vast permanent collections, featuring works from 19th century Australian artists, European old masters, Indigenous artists and over 30 changing temporary exhibitions (of note, 'Robert Mapplethorpe: the perfect medium' is on until March).

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After you have walked up an appetite, you could stay under the same roof and head to Matt Moran’s Chiswick at the Gallery, however if you wish to get out and about and feel up to an additional stroll, District Brasserie is the place to go. Located within the prestigious Chifley and having received a multi million dollar fit out, the space gives a nod to New York art deco with bold brass finishes, green marble bar and plush leather seating. The Spanish Josper oven produces some of the best steak frites in town and daily house baked bread and pastries are a must.

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2. MCA X SAKE. The Museum of Contemporary Art (aka Messy Children Allowed, My Cultural Antidote, Making Creativity Accessible, My Colorful Artworld…) is a must do for any serious art enthusiast. Currently showcasing Swiss multimedia and video artist Pipilotti Rist’s 'Sip My Ocean' (until 18 February 2018) the MCA also houses a stellar permanent collection, with the mural in the entrance, 'The Arrival of Demons 2017' by Khadim Ali, an Instagram worthy start. (Image: Gordon Bell)

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A short stroll up the road and you will find Sake, located at 12 Argyle Street. Quite the theatrical dining experience in itself, their signature dishes are a must, from the hiramasa kingfish with lime and jalapeno kosho, the Nori crisps with Tuna and Kingfish to the famous popcorn shrimp, it’s an afternoon truly well spent.

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3. OLSEN GALLERY X HOTEL CENTENNIAL. Home of the legendary John Olsen, The Olsen Gallery and its Annexe is a Sydney institution. With an impressible stable of artists, the line up of shows for the remainder of 2017 is seriously impressive, including Amanda Marburg in November and Alan Jones in December.

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A stone’s throw down the road is Hotel Centennial, with Tom “Russ” Deadman who comes anointed by Justin North as he steps down. Adopting an eclectic mix of interiors along with contemporary art that boasts works from Shaun Gladwell to Annie Leibovitz to continue your visual feast, Hotel Centennial creates an ambience accentuating style, comfort, and the warmth of a private home.

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4. M CONTEMPORARY X KENNY RENS. Also located in the Paddington precinct, M contemporary has proved to be a reliable and enjoyable venue for those seeking boundary pushing contemporary art. With current and upcoming shows of Jason Moad and Emilie Syme Lamont, the space is sure to impress.

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Head in later in the afternoon in order to secure a table at Kenny Rens afterwards, when they open the robata grill at 6pm. Hidden behind a sliding wooden door and wrapped in an indigo blue painting by yours truly, fresh produce and traditional cooking styles make Kenny Rens a perfect end to a great stroll in leafy Woollahra.

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5. THE ROYLSTON STREET GALLERIES X TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD. The galleries behind Trumper Park offer a multitude of viewing pleasures. From secondary market sales at Justin Miller, contemporary art at Martin Browne, Sarah Cottier, Australia Galleries and Roslyn Oxley, an appetite is sure to ensue.

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Unfortunately there is a serious lack of anything at all to eat on Roylston Street (bar the Trumper Park Saturday morning sport sausage sizzle known to draw many a gallerist), so a quick hike up to Five Ways in Paddington is needed where you can quench your thirst at Tequila Mockingbird with their impressive list of Mescal and unique take on modern Latin American food.

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6. GALERIE POMPOM X BISTRO GAVROCHE. In the mood for a Parisian sojourn minus the expensive plane ticket? Look no further than Bistro Gavroche, located in the heart of the Kensington Street precinct in The Old Rum Store. Executive Chef and co owner Frederic Colin and business partner Lionel Richard are serving fine French fare with warm and attentive service that’s reminiscent of the kind of hospitality that you would find in a local Parisian bistro. Start your Parisian love affair with their go-to dishes such as Grandpa Henri’s pork terrine, French onion soup, steak frites, flaming Crêpe Suzette and Tarte Tatin. Oui oui!

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Walk off all those frites with a trip to Galerie Pom Pom at 2/27-39 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale NSW. The modern, fluorescent interior is in stark contrast with the old rum warehouse of Gavroche, yet excellent taste remains a constant, with a group show curated by director George Adams running from 22 November – 17 December 2017.

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7. PIERMARQ X LUCIOS. With a strong focus on the art market and introducing collectors to ‘a new aesthetic’, Piermarq is breaking ground on a new style of gallery operation. Focusing not only on exhibiting works, they also work heavily on the advisory side of the business, highlighting the ever-increasing importance of art as a commodity, not just a cultural experience.

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After perusing paintings at Piermarq, the perfect pasta can be found at Lucios, right next door. If you’ve had enough of my obvious alliteration, simply trust me and make sure you get in to see Heatwave (http://www.piermarq.com.au/exhibition/heatwave/) showing from 28 November – 23 December 2017, then continue your aesthetic journey at the art filled institution that is Lucios, Paddington.

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8. CHINA HEIGHTS X NOMAD. With opening nights always drawing an eclectic crowd of art (and free beer) enthusiasts, China Heights exhibits a wide range of emerging artists, with November bringing Adam Turnbull and Bryce Anderson to the lofty studios at 3, 16-28 Foster Street, Surry Hills.

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Once one is done perusing their works, you can easily head down stairs to Nomad, located directly under the gallery. With a Good Food Guide Hat 4 years in a row and Australia’s 2017 wine list of the year award, there’s no denying that a visit to Nomad is always a good idea. With homemade breads, cheeses and a selection of charcuterie meats, the produce is as fresh and authentic as they come, with the atmosphere to match.

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9. WHITE RABBIT X ESTER. Boasting the one of the world’s largest collections of contemporary Chinese art, White Rabbit Gallery is currently showing 'Ritual Spirit' until 28 January 2018, touching on the void between creativity and spirituality in a modern Chinese society.

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The White Rabbit also houses an impressive tearoom (with dumplings!) however if you have already sampled the fare there, stroll over to Ester, located just around the corner on Meagher Street. With a boundary pushing Instagram that doubles as art already, Ester takes fine dining to a whole new level-just ask head chef Mat Lindsay who recently took home Gourmet Traveller’s 2018 Chef of the Year.

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10. BLENDER GALLER X FREDS. Blender gallery boasts an incredible collection of band photography that would make any serious musician swoon. From Blondie to Prince and all rock legends in between, the caliber of artists on the walls at Blender is astounding.

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Once you have made the incredibly hard decision of which work to buy, you can then head over to Fred’s and continue the tough choices with their exceptional seasonal menu (that changes daily) by head chef Danielle Alvarez. Start with a cocktail downstairs at the intimate Charlie Parker’s, then head up and enjoy the exceptional Merivale experience at Fred’s.

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The 10 places in Sydney blending fine art with fine dining. By Amy Finlayson

Drinking, dining and art appreciation? If this sounds like your idea of an afternoon well spent, then you'll dig what you're about to read. Think: a selection Sydney's finest dining establishments mixed with the city's most exciting exhibitions and you have the perfect recipe for a date night or catch up with friends.

Click through the gallery above for our top 10 best recommendations.

Arts

exhibition

art

Culture and Lifestyle

Sydney

restaurant

dining

Amy Finlayson

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