When The Bentley Group announced the closure of Cirrus, the team already knew about a flash little site on Barrack Street. The digs were once the first Bank of Australia; and more recently, restaurant Seta. So, while farewelling their fine Barangaroo seafood stop, Bentley’s co-owners – chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt – were plotting their move-in date. (It’s soon.)

“It’s all about being in the right place at the right time, and we feel like being there will be that for us,” Savage tells Broadsheet. “The bones of the building are just incredible … the building is very grand, and it deserves beautiful food and beautiful wine.”

These two – of the eponymous Bentley; plant-based fine diner Yellow; the recently relaunched Monopole; and the group’s newest, King Clarence – know beautiful food and wine. And with Barrack, they’re going “the most classic” they ever have. There’s room for 100 guests in the main dining room, another 40 in the bar, plus 18 in a private dining room. Outside has space for 50, spilling from a small terrace onto the street. Long-time collaborator Pascale Gomes-McNabb is on the fit-out, planned to be reminiscent of grand European dining rooms.

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Savage’s menu will focus on the best local produce, with a bespoke woodfire grill kissing a selection of proteins. As is the Bentley way, it will be refined. Think prime beef cuts; local seafood (like spiced tuna steaks); and share plates for the table. Bread from AP Place next door will also be there, along with a house-made garlic number from a woodfire oven.

“We really want the bar element to play a big role,” Savage adds. “We want people to feel that they can drop in, have a burger and their afternoon drinks. I feel that strip will become really activated once we’re in there.”

If you know the pair’s venues, you’ll know Hildebrandt’s wine lists. We don’t have the details yet, but we’re confident it’ll be another winning, and extensive, line-up.

The venue shares an address with – but operates independently of – The Pillars, an exclusive club for those in the tech world.

Eleven Barrack is slated to open at 11 Barrack Street, Sydney, on Tuesday February 4, 2025.

@elevenbarrack