Join our Editors’ Preview night for a behind-the-scenes look at North Sydney venue Rafi. The night starts with cocktails on a sprawling outdoor terrace followed by an innovative, European-inspired menu that focuses on charcoal-fired seafood and veggies. Plus a Q&A with Broadsheet’s national editor and the owners.

 

Rafi is the latest venture from Applejack Hospitality, the team behind top Sydney restaurants Bopp & Tone and The Butler. This 300-capacity restaurant and bar is inspired by holidays in southern Europe, with a menu that focuses heavily on seafood and vegetables cooked over charcoal. And it’s headed up by executive chef Matías Cillóniz, who has racked up experience at Peru’s Central restaurant (currently ranked second in the World’s 50 Best list) and Madrid’s double Michelin-starred Paco Roncero Restaurante.

 

You’ll be one of the first to experience Rafi when it opens exclusively to Access members for an Editors’ Preview night on Tuesday September 27 – days ahead of its official opening.

 

Our Editors’ Preview nights are a chance to experience highly anticipated restaurants before they open to the public, road-testing them alongside Broadsheet editors.

 

The night begins on the terrace with drinks – a blood orange and myrtle shrub cocktail with upcycled wine, vodka and prosecco – and wholemeal pita served with herby crushed peas and feta, before moving to the dining room for a feast inspired by Sydney’s coast. Expect raw South Coast tuna drizzled with tahini and chilli oil; miso toothfish skewers with roasted pepper salsa; and Wagyu sirloin steak served with crisp potatoes and cultured cream. And to finish, a selection of Rafi’s signature desserts.

 

Sustainably made cocktails (including a Gimlet made with unwanted mint stems and Four Pillars gin), tap beers from Young Henrys and Stone & Wood, and locally produced wines will also be available.

 

On the night, Broadsheet’s national editor Sarah Norris will host a lively Q&A with owners Hamish Watts and Ben Carroll to hear about how they brought Rafi to life and their mission to reignite North Sydney’s dining scene.
 

Tables are available for groups of two (to be seated at a communal table with shared dishes) to ten guests. There are limited spots, so be quick to reserve yours via the link below. Tickets are $90 per person.

 

The Editors’ Preview night at Rafi takes place at 6.30pm on Tuesday September 27.