From Jennifer Hawkins to Kym Ellery, it's a haven for the style set to escape city life. Without exception, all of the peninsula's residents - celebrity or otherwise - have been spotted at legendary Manly Mexican joint Chica Bonita - home of dangerously sippable margaritas and the most amazing steak-and-guac-on-hot-chips combo known to man.
So when news reached us that the Chica Bonita boys were opening a second eatery, we were all ears. Instead of Mexican, they're turning Japanese with an izakaya-style restaurant and bar. Named Sunset Sabi, it's all contemporary Japanese dishes with some not-so-authentic but delicious-sounding twists: think caramel, chili and seaweed popcorn, $7, and edamame and wasabi hummus with sweet potato chips, $11. Sweet potato features on the dessert menu too, in the form of moreish doughnuts with Japanese whisky cream, matcha white chocolate and strawberries.
Related story: Sake sake! The top 5 Japanese joints in Sydney
There's also a strong sushi and sashimi line-up and a drinks menu that ranges from an impressive sake selection to Japanese beers and curious cocktails with Japanese flavours: try the Whisky Kick - fresh apple, whisky, umeshu (a Japanese liqueur) and wasabi, $15, or the Ume-mule - umeshu, yuzushu (sake infused with yuzu juice), ginger beer and lime, $12.
Sunset Sabi is open for dinner only from Tuesday to Saturday; visit sunsetsabi.com.
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