Nigella Lawson Hails Sydney Restaurant as One of the Best in the World
Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson has lavished praise on a little-known Sydney restaurant, declaring it served "the most wonderful meal of my life". The British food icon visited Ester in Chippendale, a trendy restaurant headed up by chef Mat Lindsay, with two friends and was blown away by the culinary experience.
According to the Daily Mail, Nigella gushed about Ester, saying it remains "unfailingly the most exciting kitchen in the world". The 65-year-old specifically highlighted some of the restaurant’s "exceptional dishes", explaining that her dining experience commenced with "impeccable" oysters to start. Also on the menu was the "legendary fermented potato bread with salmon roe and beguiling jelly-topped kefir cream" – a signature dish renowned at the restaurant.
The Daily Mail reported that Nigella was "too wrapped up in the conversation to photograph everything" that night, but said she did manage to capture some of her favourite dishes. Among the dishes were the "madly good Sommerlad chicken dumplings – bulgingly plump and sensationally savoury in their rich, smoky broth". She also called out the "exquisite pippies" as a standout, served in a "liquid that tasted saltily like a gravy drunk on its own magnificent meatiness".
To round out the decadent meal, Nigella and her friends enjoyed a "superbly elegant but winkingly bright crèpe caramel". The Daily Mail noted that if her mouth-watering description of the dishes weren’t proof enough, Nigella capped off her post by declaring that she had already made plans to return to the restaurant. "Have already booked a table for my last night here before I fly back home, as this food is too good not to revisit," she said.
In addition to personally calling out and thanking specific Ester employees, Nigella added that "everyone affiliated with this miraculous venture does it – and the whole of hospo – great honour, stamping every moment with memorableness and meaning". The celebrity chef’s glowing review also revealed that she’d dined at Ester in esteemed company – sharing the table with Australian novelists Helen Garner and Charlotte Wood.
The Daily Mail reported that Charlotte, who’s known for her novel The Natural Way of Things, replied to Nigella’s post by describing the evening as "a life highlight for several of us at that table". "Everything was incredible including star company," Charlotte said. Nigella’s visit to Ester comes after she previously named it a must-visit when she’s in town. The British food icon told Gourmet Traveller earlier this year that the surprising yet delicious creations at Mat Lindsay’s restaurant are "extraordinary".
The award-winning restaurant is known for its relaxed yet stylish interiors and wood-fired modern Australian fare. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants panel called it one of Sydney’s hottest dining destinations, noting: "The fit out is minimal, mood informal and selection of wood-fired small plates ruthlessly streamlined. Bag yourself one of the hottest seats in Sydney." Ester offers an à la carte and set menu for lunch and dinner, with set menus only available on Saturday evenings, starting from $145 per person.
Signature dishes include the woodfired oysters with chicken fat butter, the blood sausage sanga, and the fermented potato bread – a dish that chef Josh Niland previously described as a "timeless masterpiece". Since arriving in Oz, Nigella has been making the most of her visit by checking out several of Sydney’s foodie hotspots. After landing in mid-May, her first port of call was to local institution, Fratelli Paradiso in Potts Point. Sharing the details of her visit to social media, the British culinary queen revealed it was a personal tradition to make it her "first stop in Sydney".
The Daily Mail also reported that Nigella paid a visit to North Bondi beachside restaurant Sean’s, describing the venue as a "perfect Sydney Sunday spot". But it’s not just upmarket dining venues that have caught the celebrity chef’s attention. The Domestic Goddess also made a "customary pilgrimage" to Small’s Deli, a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop in Potts Point. There, she ordered a show-stopping sandwich called The Toto. Describing the "outrageously good" sandwich, Nigella explained that it’s "spread with lemony butter bean purée and pesto, it’s bulgingly stuffed with mortadella and mozzarella, exuberantly sprinkled with chopped toasted almonds, and topped with peppery rocket".
The question on every Sydney foodie’s lips is: Which restaurant will Nigella show up to next? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the celebrity chef’s seal of approval is sure to send diners flocking to Ester and other Sydney hotspots. According to the Daily Mail, Nigella’s glowing review of Ester is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to serving exceptional cuisine in a unique and stylish setting.
