Aria overhaul
Big things are planned for award winning Sydney restaurant Aria.
Celebrity chef Matt Moran plans to give it a complete overhaul and renovation of the two-hatted eatery to take the place to the next level in Australian dining. In his words, it will be a total “gutting”.
This is no small renovation or patch-up job. According to media reports, it’s worth something like $5 million – and the rest.
As far as Moran is concerned, the place will be transformed. The only thing remaining there will be himself and the Aria brand name. He says the new-look Aria will be barely recognisable once it’s finished.
Aria needs no introduction for anyone in Sydney. The famous restaurant opened back in 1999 and has established itself as the place to be seen at, particularly with its magnificent harbour views and its wine list which has received accolades and awards.
To get the renovation going, Moran and his business partner have brought in interior designer George Livissianis to give the glass-walled dining space a complete makeover, turning it into a space with a much more contemporary feel.
Still, there will be certain features of the place we can expect will be the same. The food sensibility will remain in place, totally in keeping with Moran’s signature style which has a heavy emphasis on seasonal ingredients for his kitchen to produce original and balance dishes like Aria’s famous caramelized pineapple with lime and rosemary sorbet served with poached meringue
What will be different about the place, says Moran, will be the exterior. Diners will be sitting down in a completely different style of décor with travertine, leather, bronze and wood. The focus will be on new furniture and art.
For his part, Moran says he is looking forward to getting back into the kitchen with his team once the renovations are completed.
by Leon Gettler, August 15th 2016
