Brett Robinson doesn’t mind a bit of cold weather. The CEO of The Point Group, which runs Shell House and Hotel Harry in Sydney, Hotel Canobolas in Orange, and three Bali restaurants, says the cooler seasons bring a welcome new vibe to Sydney dining.

At Shell House, that might mean mini martinis and lobster rolls in the moody Menzies Bar, catching up over a negroni in the Clocktower Bar, settling into a long dinner in the Dining Room, or simply enjoying sunset cocktails from the Sky Bar. 

“I love the richer dishes that provide comfort in the cooler months. Like all the types of pasta that feature on our menus and special items like Brad’s (executive chef Brad Guest) new duck pithivier, a super decadent duck pie,” says Robinson.

Robinson is passionate about supporting the industry he loves and providing experiences where people can celebrate, connect, romance, and relax. “It’s no secret that many people don’t have the same budgets they’re used to; however, this doesn’t mean we should all stay home. The conversation, the experience of being surrounded by others, and the ancient art of breaking bread are an essential part of life.”

Shell House is one of thousands of restaurants across Australia participating in American Express delicious. Month Out in May, an event providing irresistible dining offers.

Related story: This leisurely long lunch on at Lana is the ultimate Sydney foodie party

To celebrate American Express delicious. Month Out, Shell House Dining Room & Terrace offers the Dining Room Chef’s Table experience: a seven-course bespoke menu curated daily.

The menu will start with a selection of raw dishes to highlight the exceptional produce culinary director Joel Bickford is sourcing. Then move onto courses specifically curated for this special experience. Menu $195 per person. Beverage pairing $100 per person

Shell House Sky Bar will also have $2 freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters available throughout May. Available by the half dozen or dozen. Order alongside your favourite Sky Bar cocktail or glass of champagne.

Keen to break bread all across town? Experience some of Sydney’s swankiest restaurants on a shoestring with these unmissable American Express delicious. Month Out deals.

Related story: Everything you need to know about American Express delicious. Month Out in 2024

Mel-Gal, Taronga
Tucked into bushland at Taronga Wildlife retreat, Mel-Gal offers dining in nature, even as you admire the iconic views of the bridge, opera house and Sydney skyline. Celebrating native ingredients and local, seasonal produce – think Murray River cod with mustard leaves, fennel, and dashi or the duck breast with fermented sweetcorn and Illawarra plum – the shared plate menu is an innovative taste of Sydney and surrounds.
The offer: 20% discount throughout the month and bottomless brunch on Fridays.

The Charles Brasserie and Bar, CBD
Sit at The Charles’ glamorous bar or nab a cosy table and settle in for an excellent CBD lunch deal. Choose from a burger with aged Wagyu, melted Emmental and Comte cheese, onion and pickles on a brioche bun or silky ribbons of Mafaldine pasta with mussels and nduja. Planning early drinks? From 3-6pm, enjoy $15 cocktails, $13 glasses of wine, or $6 schooners in the bar.
The offer: For $25, choice of The Charles cheeseburger or Mafaldine, mussels and nduja, and a house wine, beer or soft drink. Available Monday to Saturday in The Charles Bar, noon-6pm. Drinks offer Monday to Friday from 3-6pm only.

Bentley Group: Yellow, Bentley Restaurant & Bar, Cirrus Dining, King Clarence, and Monopole
Time to catch up with old friends or family? Take advantage of the Bentley Group’s discount and make a date for lunch every week this month. Start with a vegan lunch at Yellow, then make a date for a seafood feast at Cirrus. Dive into the cuisines of Japan, China or Korea at King Clarence, then book a table at Monopole for modern bistro fare. Finish with lunch at Bentley for a palate tour of the world’s most interesting wine, accompanied by always exceptional cuisine.
The offer: 30% off your food bill at lunch throughout May.

ESCA Group: Aalia, Ito, Nour, Henrietta Surry Hills, Lilymu,
There’s nothing better than a banquet if you want to explore the best of a cuisine. You’ll know the chef has done all the hard work for you, so the menu is destined to be a curated, exciting adventure. Choose a banquet at any one of ESCA Group’s Sydney restaurants – ranging from Middle Eastern to Asian cuisines – and share the culinary journey while you sip a complimentary glass of champagne.
The offer: Order a banquet and receive a complimentary glass of G.H. Mumm Champagne for you and your guests.

Poetica Bar and Grill, North Sydney
Start your evening in the bar and let Poetica’s expert bartender, Kieran, effortlessly pour an elegant cocktail. Maybe you’d like a chilled vodka or gin martini or can’t say no to a classic Margarita? Whichever you choose, enjoy a complimentary serve of spiced pork crackling straight from the kitchen while you ponder the point.
The offer: Happy hour cocktails including $11 gin or vodka martinis and $12 Margaritas. Tuesday-Friday 4-6pm throughout May.

Promenade Bondi Beach
Have a birthday or special occasion coming up? Promenade’s beachy-chic dining room is the perfect place to get the gang together. If you’re a group of four or more, choose a special drinks package and let the good times flow. About to make an announcement? Upgrade to the Lallier Champagne package for a celebration to remember.
The offer: Book in for lunch or dinner with a group of four or more and select the +$54pp bottomless package or the +$99pp upgrade to Lallier Champagne.

Odd Culture Newtown
If you need another reason to make a beeline for Odd Culture Newtown, we present the perfect lunch menu – curated, small, punchy: Order an oyster or three, accompanied by a chilled martini made with Four Pillars olive leaf gin or Absolut vodka, followed by a double patty burger with Odd Culture sauce, onions, on a potato bun, with fries. Bravo.
The offer: Special lunch menu – oysters $3 each, martini $15, burger with fries $29. From noon, Thursdays to Sundays in May.

Olio Kensington Street, Chippendale
You can’t eat Italian food without drinking Italian wine, and when the restaurant in question is Sicilian-born chef Lino Sauro’s Olio Kensington Street, Sicilian wine is obbligatorio, no? This month, invite three friends and receive a bottle of either Catarratto Vicoletto (made from native Sicilian Catarratto grapes) or the rich ruby red Sicilian Nero D’Avola Artigiano.
The offer: A complimentary bottle of Sicilian red or white wine to tables of four (or more) guests. 

Poly, Surry Hills
It’s happy hour at Poly from 5-6pm weeknights this month, with discounted snacks and drinks. Expect moreish snacky things, like the fried potato with salted egg yolk ($4), easy sipping wines ($9) and the classic Poly martini ($14). Drop in to discover more drinks and delicious bites on offer.
The offer: Discounted drinks and snacks from 5pm to 6pm, weeknights.

Martinez, CBD
Martinez may have a view of the harbour bridge, but inside, it’s all about Cote d’Azur dining. Expect crunchy gruyere croquettes and baguettes with cultured butter and caper salt, maybe a daube or fish niçoise for mains, and a salade composée. In walking distance to several theatres, this chic bistrot is the perfect place for an express lunch or pre-theatre dining.
The offer: Express menu, lunch or pre-theatre dining. Two courses $49pp.

Menzies Bar & Bistro, CBD
Shell House Menzies Bar & Bistro is one of the top spots to head for a knock off. Not only are there incredible Happy Hour offerings where you can score $10 lobster rolls and $10 mini martinis, for the month of May, a legend is returning. For just $25, you can indulge in culinary director Joel Bickford’s infamous lobster ravioli available all day, every day for the whole month.
The offer: Lobster ravioli daily for $25. Lobster rolls and mini martinis for $10 each, daily from 4pm-6pm.

Shell House Sky Bar, CBD
Name something more elegant than throwing back a plate of freshly shucked, briny oysters in an Art Deco bar overlooking the Sydney CBD. Throughout the month of May, head upstairs to the elegant Sky Bar to score these beautiful bivalves for just $2 each. Available by the half or whole dozen, every Wednesday.
The offer: $2 shucked oysters every Wednesday, 4pm-10pm.

Related story: The American Express Shop Small Dining Village is taking over the Sydney CBD for one day only