The International — Restaurant in Sydney

Note: I had provided the below review directly to the venue two weeks ago however it has been ignored, so here it is.

I experienced extreme disappointment with the service my party and I received during our visit to your restaurant on Friday night. While I understand that a new establishment may experience teething issues, the shortcomings we encountered were significant and difficult to excuse. My original booking for the Plaza area had been updated to the Balcony area, as confirmed via email. However, upon my husband’s arrival, he was informed by the gentleman at the door (appeared to be the manager) that the booking was for the Plaza. He was rude and short with him. When I arrived, I experienced the same dismissive treatment despite politely attempting to engage with him. It was only when I presented my email confirmation that we were begrudgingly directed to the Balcony, with no apology offered. Despite this frosty start, we attempted to set it aside and enjoy the evening. Regrettably, further lapses in service followed. Our oysters arrived without a serving spoon for the mignonette, plates, or napkins. When napkins were finally provided, they were tossed onto the table rather than placed with care. Similarly, the cutlery was thrown down with a clang, which struck us as both unprofessional and discourteous. The experience reached its lowest point during the billing process. The same waitress who had been inattentive earlier brought the bill and stood by with the EFTPOS machine, creating an uncomfortable dynamic. We requested a moment to review the bill, as we noticed discrepancies. She acknowledged the errors but did so without apology or warmth and demanded we tell her what the discrepancies were. When we asked for additional time to confirm details with our friend who was in the bathroom, she left and never returned. Another waiter eventually amended the bill without issue. To further compound matters, a waitress who had been exemplary throughout the evening (I'll omit her name here), suddenly confronted us regarding the correction, stating brusquely, " I don’t care if there was a mistake or not; we’ve taken the items off the bill now, and I don’t care" before walking away. This abrupt and unprofessional comment was bewildering and entirely unwarranted. While I appreciate that new establishments face challenges, the fundamental issues we encountered—unprofessionalism, inattentiveness, and discourtesy—are basic tenets of hospitality that should not be compromised. I chose this restaurant for a special evening with friends visiting from out of town, and I deeply...

Located within The International at 25 Martin Place, The Grill offers an exceptional dining experience that seamlessly blends a sophisticated atmosphere with a meticulously crafted menu.

Upon arrival for a lunch two weeks ago, we were struck by the restaurant's elegant ambiance. The space exudes a refined yet inviting charm, with contemporary decor that complements the vibrant energy of the bustling Sydney CBD. Despite the restaurant being fully booked, the atmosphere remained lively without feeling overcrowded.

The Grill has quickly become a hotspot for notable figures, and during our visit, we observed several prominent actors, television personalities, sports figures, and corporate leaders dining nearby. Securing a reservation can be challenging; fortunately, a well-connected friend was able to arrange our booking.

The menu showcases a diverse selection of dishes, each prepared with precision and flair. We began with the Sydney Rock Oysters, which were impeccably fresh and brimming with a delicate, briny sweetness. The chicken wings were succulent and flavorful, offering a delightful balance of crispiness and tenderness. The cuttlefish, accompanied by caviar, was a standout, presenting a harmonious blend of oceanic flavors and textures.

The raw scallop dish, paired with cultured cream, white radish, and a hint of chardonnay, was a testament to the chef's ability to elevate simple ingredients into a refined delicacy. Similarly, the raw beef with black rice, shiso, and oyster cream provided a unique fusion of tastes that was both innovative and satisfying.

For the main course, the Scotch Fillet was exceptional. Cooked to perfection, the steak was richly marbled, tender, and bursting with robust flavor—a true indulgence for any meat aficionado.

In summary, The Grill at The International offers a dining experience that is both luxurious and memorable. From the exquisite food to the sophisticated ambiance, it is a destination that lives up to its reputation. We look forward to returning to savor more of what this remarkable establishment...

Becca Bires 💋💋💋💋/5

What a gorgeous space:) beautiful bar and open kitchen, love the outdoor dining area:) It was my Birthday gift from my niece and I was so excited to taste the menu :)

Service was a little slow to start tho the servers and sommeliers were amazing and great knowledge and helpful and engaging:)

The food was sensational! There were a few dishes I didn’t love tho I also didn’t hate anything either. Oysters I didn’t love the take on kilpatrick. Natural were great tho the vinegarette was ok:)

I didn’t love the fermented octopus tho that’s a personal taste really, my niece loved it.

The steak was a standout and the tartare was different and even without accompaniments, (like crisps) after giving the dish a good stir you still got an amazing crunch texture that we both loved.

Disappointed and the only reason it never for 5 for everything was that my niece selected celebration cake and paid $25 for it and we waited and waited and enjoyed our cocktails until finally someone approached us and confirmed it was my Birthday and being greeted by front of house with Happy Birthday. Then told that they found something up the back for me. A small little cake with no candle no writing and no love on the plate and definitely not with $25!

Other than that an exceptionally great night...