Riley Street Garage

Set just back from the whirl of William Street, Riley Street Garage is a restaurant and bar located in a beautiful old 1930s building that once housed Lessey's Drive Yourself (a car hire business), and more recently, a private parking lot.

On the Japanese-accented menu by head chef Asish Akari (ex-Toko, Flying Fish), oysters come three different ways (and are shucked at the bar), including mignonette and smoked soy. You might follow with a chef’s selection of the day’s sashimi, followed by small plates such as confit baby octopus with yuzu kosho and white bean purée.

Large proteins designed to share range from slow-roasted lamb shoulder to dry-aged steak. But the crispy pork knuckle – marinated with tamari, seeded mustard and pickled apple – is the real showstopper, and must be ordered with a mandatory side of truffle dashi mash.

To drink, there's a concise list of season cocktails, wines and packaged beers, alongside taps pouring easy-drinking brews by the likes of Sapporo and Young Henrys. And on Fridays and Saturdays, Riley Street runs a bottomless brunch from 12pm to 3pm, involving a six-course banquet for $65 plus an additional $45 for unlimited wine and beer.