The Living Room @ Sydney

I wanted to book The Dining Room and got The Living Room instead. Since we were offered the coveted window table, we just went with the reservation.

Located near the southern pylons of the Harbour Bridge, Park Hyatt is a 5-star hotel with a view. Located on the ground floor with the magnificent lights of Circular Quay is The Living Room.

The Living Room is a relaxed harbourside dining inspired by Australian ingredients.

Vannella buffalo milk burrata, tomato seed oil, flatbread

Vannella Cheese was born in Conversano, Puglia and became Australia when the head cheese maker, Vito Minoia, migrated with the young family and continued to make their delicious burrata. Thick-skinned but with a tender, milky heart, this stretched-curd buffalo cheese is mouth-wateringly smooth and indulgently rich, with subtle hints of sweetness. Especially delicious with the cherry tomatoes and simple dressing.

The flatbread tasted like roti prata, fluffy and flaky at the same time. It would pair very well with a saucy braise or stew, but the flatbread fell flat (no puns ;)) with the tomatoes and burrata.

Natural Sapphire Coast rock oysters, finger lime dressing

The Sapphire Coast is home to Australia’s wilderness oysters, with millions harvested from five key estuaries each year. Rock oysters from the Sapphire Coast region are highly regarded, thanks to the pristine natural environment in which they are grown. 

Usually I prefer my oysters natural, but this finger lime dressing did justice to the succulent oysters. Would be perfect if they leave the beads of finger lime for that burst of flavours.

Fabbrica spaghetti alle vongole, chilli, garlic, lemon, parsley 

Fabbrica Pasta Shop is a boundary-pushing pasta maker with a retail space in Sydney’s CBD selling handmade pasta by the gram. I was surprised that the al dente spaghetti clumped together. And the vongole (clams) were quite small and not fresh. Given that this is Sydney, I expect better. But the use of chilli, garlic, lemon and parsley made the spaghetti come to life. You can taste that the spaghetti was hand made. Vongole aside, I finished all the spaghetti wanting more.

Pork schnitzel, white cabbage slaw, sage burnt butter

The schnitzel looked really lonely on the plate, looked as if it was hammered together. Despite the plating, the breaded pork chop, according to my guest, was delicious and unassumingly hot inside. He nearly burnt his tongue with the molten cheese.

Great food, great value and great views. Service was quite good with some slight delays though but it was okay since we were not in a rush. Food was also high quality and delicious. Prices are not so high considering the location, view and ambiance, similar to a good restaurant elsewhere. But it was the view that left an impression.

Make sure you get a Window Table with an unobstructed view to the harbour. Please note that the view is mainly Circular Quay and the Cruise Terminal. Opera House is still in vision partially but it’s at your left and limited to the few tables along the entrance.

The Living Room at Park Hyatt Sydney
7 Hickson Road, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel : + 61 2 9256 1234

Visited in Aug 2022