Cravings go together like a bottle of Rose and conversation with the girls, or a Sydney summer and a new rooftop bar. Luckily we can have both thanks to a stunning transformation on the second floor of the Mosman Club. Leave your RSL preconceptions of chintzyness at the door as you zoom up in the elevator.
The brainchild of hospitality duo John Tully and Luke Heard (The Greens North Sydney, Acre Eatery) The Fernery is a stunning rooftop garden with views to die for from the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and heads. Add the gardening skills of Adrian Baiada, who helped set up Pocket City Farms and you will soon realise – this is not the place to take an indecisive friend with eight unique zones to choose from.
So where should you sit? Perhaps The Gin Bar as you arrive; with its white archway into a hanging basket haven of wicker chairs, bamboo screens and high stools, next the rose bar leading to a raised urban garden with terracotta tiles, curved seating, breezy umbrellas and pretty people. Move inside to a duo of dining rooms with lush fernery, booths and a dining room strewn with everything pink, grey, fluffy, furry and in between.
We love the space, how about the food? Well let’s start and end with the fact they have a ‘Josper’. If you haven’t yet experienced this Spanish woodfired oven chap – please do; it’s life changing. Head Chefs Gavin Gray and Mitchell Davis provide a compelling menu with most dishes getting a dash of the Josper effect.
Starters are arguably their finest hour with smoky wood roast calamari served over a bed of delicate salsa rosa. School prawns are served on crunched up baking parchment with a cheek of lemon flash fried to perfection not to be out done by a pile of freshly cooked zucchini fries under a shower of parmesan. Mains of spanner crab spaghettini with gremolata and man sized medaglioni stuffed with beetroot and walnut, are outshone by a stunning roast beetroot salad that’s so pretty you may wish you could wear it.
Talking of pretty things, the Bombe Alaska is insanely beautiful, you might like to just stare at it, or instagram it. Nah, just eat it. It’s amazing.
Many restaurants have looks which are stunning, but rarely is it paired with great service, slick execution and with rose on tap. There is something about this place which nails heart, soul and earth, even if you physically you have your head in the clouds and skyline of Sydney.
The Fernery
Rooftop 719 Military Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
www.thefernerymosman.com.au
