You had me at $1 oysters. A dozen Sydney rock please – a few with that yuzu passionfruit granita, a couple of smoky soy truffle, and load me up with the mignonette and natural. A few places around town offer the New York City-style oyster happy hour, but not all are good. At Riley Street Garage, they have nailed it. Here they come chilled and on a bed of crushed ice, brought to the table in a dramatic Laurent Perrier Champagne box, and the night can’t help but kick off well.

Even at 5pm on a weeknight this place has a chic buzz – punters pull up to the massive curved bar taking centre stage in the cavernous former garage space, ready for chef Regan Porteous’ crowd-pleasing food.

Everything on the menu is to share – where isn’t it now? – and while the Crystal Bay prawn tortellini could do with some prawn texture, the pork knuckle with pickled apple is a knock-out. The gnarly meat on the bone comes in an armour of crackling, a knife sticking out like Excalibur. The satisfying dish is crunchy, succulent, and sticky with soy and mustard dressing.

An excellent negroni, yes please. A glass of pinot that will go well with your pork knuckle, yes please. A waiter called Zac is impeccably chirpy and attentive, making even a table of two plus a high chair feel like they’re having a rocking night out. So does the noise level.

Riley Street Garage is a fun, buzzy bar-restaurant, and a great spot to park yourself any night of the week.

Must eat dish: pork knuckle
Instagram: @rileystgarage