Eating at the Astral restaurant was quite an interesting experience. I don’t mean this in a bad way – however, Sean Connolly has changed the meaning of your 3 course fine dining to Tapas Fine Dining.

First off, we started with drinks at the Astral bar. This is a great place to unwind at the end of a working day with a couple of glasses of wine, bubbles, or select your poison from their cocktail list. Better still, take a seat, and let the friendly staff attend to your requests. I would also recommend a few selection from their nibbles menu. I can highly recommend the twice cooked pork served with a spicy dipping sauce. Also try their warm olives with sliced bread and marinated feta. Already had dinner? Then try their chocolate pavlova with ice cream or selection of European cheese.

From the cocktail section I can recommend the watermelon martini or perhaps the Bueller (rose flavoured vodka with lime, orgeat and some Ruby Red) – but they have a 3 page list to select from. From their wine list, I loved their Otago Sauvignon Blanc by the glass or ask the bartender to pour you something they can recommend.

The Astral Bar is divided in two sections. As you walk in you have a bar along the wall, then the inside seating area with live or chill out music followed by doors that open to more space with outdoor seating. The view is amazing with the harbour bridge on one side and Sydney’s west on the other. I had my birthday here a couple of years ago, and it was fantastic – somehow they had Katie Noonan playing live too.

After a few nibbles and drinks, our reservation time for the restaurant was soon approaching. We were seated to our table where you actually had arm rests on your chair. You knew this wasn’t informal dining – but things changed for the better. Our man of service was Jean Baptis (I believe it’s spelt this way) – a cheerful man with a thick noticeable French accent.

He served us some bread with French butter and requested for the sommelier to our table. This guy looked like he was in his mid twenties, but the man knew what wine to suit your thirst and preference. He had something to say for almost every bottle on the menu. We initially went with an Australian Pinot Noir at $90, but he came back saying that he has a French red wine which he hasn’t seen many people order that usually retails at $155, however he’d give it to us for $90 – bargain! That was perhaps one of the best tasting red wine which perfectly suited our meal.

As Jean started to explain the menu, I was taken aback. I expected to order my first 2 courses and after than order my dessert if I had room. However, Astral Restaurant has turned into formal Tapas. You and your guests order a few dishes from their selection of ‘Cold’, ‘Warm’ and ‘Hot’ dishes. Things started to get complicated as some really want to order something that the others didn’t like – but a consensus was agreed. Mind you, you can still order the one dish for yourself – but the waiter suggests that the dishes are presented for ‘sharing’.

From the Cold section we ordered half a dozen Oysters along with a serving of two types of beetroot salad with goats custard, grapefruit and rosemary dressing. We skipped the ‘Warm’ section and went for a dish of shredded lamb with a layer of sliced potatoes, along with strips of angus sirloin and finally Partridge with faggots. Faggots was new to me, and I doubt it’s something that I will take to again.

Overall, the food was incredible. The service was brilliant and they were highly attentive all through out. Above that, we always had a view of the Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour and the city – a fantastic setting!

Finally, it was time for dessert. And Jean was very knowledgeable with his understanding of the various cheese on offer. You can select up to 6 different cheeses that come with a variety of biscuits. Jean explained each of the cheese, their history and level of maturity. After that, he then plated your selections in order of what you should start with first till the end. I on the other hand, ordered the Apple and Blackberry soufflé with custard ice cream – you didn’t have to share desserts (woohoo!). My soufflé was simply perfect – a soft apple flavoured soufflé with blackberry jam at the bottom gave it that surprisingly soft, airy and jammy texture all in the one spoonful.

Sean Connolly has indeed deserved his chef’s hat (be it only 1). The service was impressive, but yes, you do pay for it. So, be prepared for a 3 digit bill per person (and make that closer to $200).

So will I go back to Astral? The food was nice (I wouldn’t say amazing other than the dessert), the wine was impressive and the service of Jean Baptis was impeccable. For me, it was those three that were the highlight of the evening.

Atmosphere – 8/10
Food – 7.5/10
Wine – 8/10
Staff – 8.5/10
Value for money – 7/10