Our New Client - The Riverview Hotel

June 28th, 2009

The Riverview Hotel – Sydney’s True ‘Gastro Pub’ - Our new client.
Built in 1880, The Riverview Hotel is a heritage-listed delight of a pub tucked away on a side street in Balmain. Formerly owned by Olympian Dawn Fraser, The Riverview was recently sold and refurbished, re-opening last November with a top-notch British chef, a great dining room and a sense of history. Nestled in the heart of Balmain, The Riverview Hotel brings old-world charm and modern cuisine together with delicious results.

Publican Tim Condon (ex 3 Weeds Rozelle), believes that it is one of only a few true ‘Gastro Pubs’ in Sydney – referring to the UK phenomenon of the gastro pub that saw the advent of pubs displaying eclectic, welcoming interiors, top notch food and a relaxed alternative to traditional dining without compromising on quality.

“The term ‘gastro pub’ has really been bastardized in this city to the point that any pub serving food uses the moniker,” believes Condon. “The English gastopub movement of the 1990’s was about bridging the gap between the high end city restaurants and the public houses – the Anglo equivalent of the French Brassiere if you like. Providing restaurant quality food, made with local produce, at pub prices. Sydney has numerous quality restaurants attached to hotels, but very few can really call themselves ‘gastropubs’ in the true tradition.”

To reach the dining room on the first floor, diners make their way through the traditional public bar with its wood panelled walls, open fireplace and leather club chairs. At the top of the narrow staircase sits an engagingly modern painting of cutlery – simple yet captivating – which seems to symbolize the philosophy of the restaurant itself.

Appealing to discerning families and young professionals alike, the restaurant has an
intelligent and relaxed feel with an ever-changing menu to suit the seasons. Chef James Watson, formerly from the UK, started out at the Petersham Hotel in Surry as an apprentice within the 5 star restaurant.  He then moved on to the Aubergine Restaurant (2 Michelin stars) in Mayfair, cooking under Gordon Ramsey. He was then worked at St Johns and opened the Ealing Park Tavern, which, under his leadership, won the esteemed accolade of ‘English Pub of the Year’ two years in a row. He moved to Australia in 2003 and now brings his refined culinary skills to the Riverview. 

Specialising in sumptuous and innovative dishes, the Riverview Hotel offers a contemporary twist on pub fare favourites - a style that publican Tim Condon refers to as ‘Modern British’, encompassing various European influences including French and Mediterranean. Quality food is paramount to The Riverview Hotel. Says Condon “It’s somewhere where one can wonder in on their own, sit at the bar and have, for example, a beautiful local craft beer and follow it with a Crispy Duck Confit with Cassuolet and Tuscan cabbage and a glass of French Pinot as opposed to a bangers and mash or beef and Guinness pie and still do it for under $30.”

The Riverview Hotel, 29 Birchgrove Road Balmain: Dining Room Wednesday – Saturday Dinner, Friday – Sunday Lunch. (02) 9555 9889.