Delta Rue — Restaurant in Sydney

Making the most of the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth’s post-war international style bones, Delta Rue sits in the curve of the fifth floor. The Vietnamese–French restaurant faces onto an elevated courtyard that’s home to the Wentworth Bar. Both venues are operated by House Made Hospitality, so there’s bleed between the drunk suits in the front and French colonial wallpaper, rattan lampshades and teak furnishings in the rear. So, while sliding into plump-cushioned armchairs with macrame-rope edges might feel intimate and relaxing, you’ll strain to hear each other over the noise. I leant into wine. The list is extensive but overpriced. One of the lower mark-ups saw us drinking a crisp, youthful 2023 Animale Chardonnay ($86), which retails for around $35,

While hotel restaurants can tend toward please-all blandness, Delta Rue bucks the trend with a surprising amount of flavour. Sometimes it’s too much, like the cumquat dressing that overpowered Sydney rock oysters ($28/4). I ordered them when floor staff told me they were from Wapengo, but a grower from the region tells me they are not. Either way, they lacked liquor from being shucked too far before service. Duck and foie gras spring rolls ($12/each) are flavour bombs. Ignore the vadouvan—it tastes like colonial curry mayo.—and wrap them in the crisp greenery with nuoc cham.

The lamb shoulder curry ($43) was my standout. Falling apart hunks of lamb sit a rich, coconut-based red curry, the richness cut by roasted peanuts and slivers of young coconut. Delta’s special fried rice ($28), seasoned with five spice gravy, sits on the wet side. It’s full of protein, like crispy chicken skin and hunks of pork belly, making the Hanoi chicken ($6) add-on to the banana blossom salad ($23) seem surplus to need. Dished up on part of the flower, it’s a fibrous and interesting take on one of my favourite salads, kept tart by wedges of fresh pineapple. It’s enough to make me feel like I’ve jetted off...

Nice relaxed environment. They automatically add a 5% gratuity that can be removed but who removes it? So be prepared to pay the gratuity. However, the staff earn the gratuity. I hope they share it with staff. The service was attentive and unobtrusive. Staff were helpful with suggestions and detail. Interesting French Vietnamese fusion cuisine. Given the French history in Vietnam a good fusion. The meals have a Vietnamese twist but definitely not the in your face flavours like at Marrickville or Bankstown establishments. The food was attractively presented and importantly was delicious. Some items are a matter of personal preference but all items were high quality and fresh. A visit is highly recommended. Expect to pay accordingly for this type of dining but they do deliver the quality of food, service, and environment at their price point. UPDATE: New photos added. New menu. The Black Pepper Beef with Wagyu is still the star of the show. The other dishes were fantastic. Great flavours, delicious, and never over the top. Excellent presentation. Attentive but unobtrusive staff. Well paced delivery. The Tartare was as good as ever. The raw kingfish was a...

Had a great dinner at Delta Rue after walking in on a Wednesday night. Was welcomed with a free small cocktail in a shot glass which was a great surprise and definitely started the experience off on a high. We ordered a mocktail, oysters, banh mi sliders, raw kingfish, black pepper beef and the fried rice. Entrees were all nice and the fried rice was delicious too. The sauce and greens with the black pepper beef was amazing, but unfortunately the beef itself was incredibly tough. We informed stuff and they were apologetic and asked if we'd like to get it remade which was much appreciated. Sadly when it came back we had a similar issue. Staff were understanding and apologetic and took it off the bill but asked us to order a dessert to end the experience on a better note. We ordered the coupe de glace which was a lychee and tonka bean sorbet and it was very nice. Overall a very good experience but wouldn't recommend the black pepper beef. Will definitely be back to try...