Harvest Bar

When Majestic Gourmet opened, the area was reinvigorated – there was so much interest the place was packed for weeks. Now it has opened, another wing of its Petersham empire. Harvest Bar is a boxy upstairs space with mixed-cuisine tapas, mid-century lounges and local and international booze. Majestic Gourmet’s co-owner Tim Reen (joined by partner Cheryl Reen) says Harvest Bar was the plan from day one. Twelve months and a few liquor-licence applications later, the bar has taken on a different approach, courtesy of Majestic’s new chef Shiman Woon (Three Williams, Cibo e Vino).

It isn’t exactly a meal you’ll get at Harvest Bar, though. It specialises in drinking food. Half the menu is upscale, with impressive crab cakes, and pan-roasted scallops with sweet-corn puree, parmesan foam and herb oil. The other half has classic bar dishes, such as fried chicken; cheese plates; and thyme, garlic and chilli loaded chips, which are some of the best Sydney has to offer.

The drinks list, developed by Pavlos Philippou, has a mix of local and international wines and Batch Brewing Company on tap. Other crafts will replace it in the future.

As you’d expect from a locally loved heritage building, the bar has kept aspects of the old Majestic. Despite the room’s charm, the best place to sit is outside on the mezzanine, which has two romantic seats, and a single table that overlooks the old building’s entrance.