Grace Mackenzie

At the swish new CBD restaurant, the starter is elevated to main event – thanks to a trolley and a mountain of whipped Pepe Saya, scooped tableside with salad servers.

From pop-up events, new hires and menu changes to the latest and greatest openings across the city, consider this your cheat sheet for the Sydney food and drink scene this week.

The Aussie frozen yoghurt chain’s having a major moment. And its soon-to-arrive Barangaroo flagship’s got a flashy space to brag about. What does it say about what we want to eat?

Clare Smyth's Sydney bar now has a tasting menu of its own – and a spectacular set of cocktails to match.

Drnks' Joel Amos is prepping for the ninth edition of his big-vibes wine mixer. Nab a ticket, then make sure you try a local “champagne-esque” riesling, a Huge Moves debut and a pink limoncello from down south.

Avia's food is “not going to change the world”, but we bet it'll be good. Head in this spring for new energy in the old Bei Bar & Bistro space off Taylor Square, plus house-made pasta and a deeply savoury ice-cream.

We've got a lively local beer scene, so it's an interesting play to have an out-of-stater transform Manly Wharf Bar. But the beers are excellent and the team's bagged Corey Costelloe for the menu – so we're listening.

The fit-out in the 16-seat Rushcutters Bay space leaves the golden-fried serves to star – it’s the only thing on the menu. But it comes with plenty of sides, and there are sizes for every appetite and budget. Plus, an off-menu eggplant number.

He co-owns Lowkey in North Sydney, as well as the newly revamped Redfern boozer. And he’s got the lowdown on tiptop Vegemite scrolls, nostalgic doughnuts and a falafel wrap he’s a fiend for.

Plus, 20% off Huge Moves tickets, $28 pasta and spritz at Fabbrica and a Wagyu-powered supper series.