You’d be forgiven for rolling into Riley Street’s new Manhattan style brassiere humming the lyrics to Empire State of Mind with a slightly over confident swagger.  It’s just that kind of place.

Oozing truck loads of NYC attitude, Riley Street Garage is a brand new 200-seat restaurant courtesy of Brody Peterson (à la The Flying Squirrel and The Stuffed Beaver) that screams “trust me, I know what I’m doing”.

The hostesses are sharp, the service is polished, and the food, well, let’s just say it’ll have you coming back for more.

Prop yourself up at the huge island bar and be entertained by staff gazelleing around bottles of whiskey and Champagne, or book a table in the wings and settle in for a long night of wine, food and a good dose of Sydney people watching.

Start with oysters before tucking into small share plates like whitefish sashimi with sweet and sour onions, braised Freemantle octopus with white bean, lemon and chilli, and roast beetroot salad with goats cheese and candied walnuts. Moving on, tuck into a couple of larger dishes including cheesy spanner crab risotto with preserved lemon and a banging beef ‘n’ blue burger on a brioche roll that has the town talking.

Make a date with Riley Street’s hot new kid on the block. 

Riley Street Garage
55 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo 2011
Open: Tuesday  & Wednesday 5pm-late; Thursday – Saturday 12pm-late; closed Sunday & Monday