British dining has again made its way under the spotlight, with the emergence of a number of modern takes on the traditional landing of late (Duke of Clarence included). Now Merivale is jumping aboard the Britannia bandwagon, helping renowned British chef Alastair Little set up shop Down Under with his own pop-up restaurant at Level 1, Hotel CBD.

Little Bistro will run from April 23 until late 2018, focusing on a short, seasonal menu. The dishes are reflective of the cooking simplicity for which Little has become known. The archaeology graduate is a self-taught chef who launched his career in 1965 at the Old Compton Wine Bar in London’s Soho, and went on to launch a string of other successful venues London-wide.

Now he is en route to Sydney for his next chapter in his food journey. The restaurant, open from April 23, will serve up both smaller dishes and main plates promised, including aroast crown of duck with an apple, potato and rosemary galette, frisee salad and a vegetable tagine with cous-cous and a chermoula relish.

He describes his approach to the food as “keeping it simple,” adamant that “something as fuss free as chicken liver pate or apple tart when executed perfectly can make people sit up and pay attention.”

For Little, partnering with Sydney hospitality giant Merivale on a pop-up rather than a permanent fixture was an appealing way to transition into the local food scene. “Working with Merivale is a dream proposition for me,” says Little. “With the support of the group, the staff in place and the venue ready to go, I get the chance to take Sydney by storm, or at least a small section of it, and can focus on what I love most – creating and evolving recipes, and working closely with the people I teach to cook them.”

Of course there’s also the Australian obsession with a good bite to eat that helped to sway Little’s move Down Under. “There is no solemnity about Australian restaurants, no hushed temples of gastronomy just enjoyment, often raucous enjoyment. This lack of prejudice and preconception appeals greatly to me.”

Hotel CBD
52 King Street, Sydney
merivale.com.au/venues/hotelcbd