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Babylon Rooftop Garden & Bar has opened on the 7th level of Westfield Sydney, as space which has been vacant since 2011 when the centre opened.
It’s a sprawling space which seats more than 200, but because there are a number of different sections to the area (including outdoor seating) it feels more intimate than the size would suggest.
The space includes a restaurant and a separate bar. The bar has its own extensive menu (around 30 dishes) which the chef says is “more like street food that’s simple, fast and easy to eat” whereas the restaurant is more fine dining.
At the restaurant, the menu is split into flora, fauna and ocean. The kitchen includes a 3 metre long grill and the smell of charcoal and smokey meat is intoxicating as you walk in.
The chef is ex Efendy and has a track record of producing great Middle Eastern food so we were expecting a lot. We weren’t disappointed.
Bread with Za’atar butter and Spiced Fried Cauliflower
To start we ordered house made bread with smoked Za’atar butter. Who would have thought butter could taste this good? I’d find myself wishing I could buy some to take home.
The next three dishes – Cauliflower with ras el hanout, lemon, tahini and almond, Spinach and duck egg yolk with persian feta and black rice and Lamb and pistachio kebab with smoked eggplant, yoghurt and sumac onions were all equally good.
Spinach and duck egg yolk with black rice
This is modern Middle Eastern food at it’s best every dish packing plenty of flavour without being too heavy. The portion sizes are generous (2 smaller dishes and one main was just the right amount of food for two of us). There is a good selection of wines at reasonable prices and the service attentive without being intrusive and they take bookings (something which seems to be becoming all too rare in Sydney restaurants). Plenty of reasons to go back. I know I will be.
Babylon Rooftop Garden & Bar
Level 7 Rooftop,
Westfield Pitt Street Mall,
188 Pitt Street Sydney