Sydney's dining culture has always been shaped by its neighbourhoods - the familiar places we return to, the tables we gather around and the unexpected discoveries that become new favourites.
At The EVE, that spirit takes on a new expression with the arrival of Baptiste and Tenjo, two restaurants from acclaimed restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess and the team behind The Apollo, Cho Cho San and Olympus.
Both designed by architect George Livissianis, the venues share a commitment to thoughtful hospitality, culinary craft and distinctive design, yet each brings an entirely different perspective to the table. At street level, Baptiste captures the enduring appeal of the French neighbourhood bistro. Above, Tenjo offers a Japanese dining experience shaped by natural light, considered ingredients and the changing rhythm of the rooftop.
Together, they introduce a new chapter to the culinary landscape of Redfern.
Baptiste: A Little Piece of Paris in Redfern
There's something enduringly appealing about a neighbourhood French bistro. A place for coffee in the morning, oysters and a glass of wine in the afternoon, or an unhurried dinner that stretches well into the evening.
Baptiste embraces this familiar rhythm, bringing the spirit of le bistrot du quartier to the entrance of The EVE.
Under the direction of Jonathan Barthelmess and Head Chef Luke Papalia, the menu draws on the pleasures of classic French cooking. Think rôtisserie chicken, steak frites, freshly shucked oysters and generous plates designed to be enjoyed over good conversation and another glass of wine.
The setting is equally evocative. George Livissianis has brought together dark timber, antiqued mirrors, marble, brass and bentwood chairs to create an interior that feels richly layered and full of character. Beyond the dining room, pavement seating invites guests to settle in and watch the neighbourhood unfold.
With a wine selection curated by Sam Christie and cocktails by Matt Whiley, Baptiste is designed to feel equally at home as a spontaneous stop for a drink or a destination for a long-awaited dinner.
For guests of The EVE, the experience begins from breakfast, with an à la carte offering that brings a distinctly French perspective to the morning ritual.
Tenjo: A Different Perspective on Rooftop Dining
A few floors above the neighbourhood, Tenjo offers a change of pace.
Perched atop The EVE, the Japanese izakaya brings together the precision of Japanese cooking, the quality of Australian produce and an atmosphere that shifts naturally throughout the day.
At the helm is Head Chef Fredy Lim, formerly of sushi e, whose approach celebrates both technique and simplicity. The menu moves between sushi and sashimi, delicate tempura, yakitori and donabe claypot rice, each prepared with an emphasis on ingredients and craftsmanship.
The restaurant's design is as much a part of the experience as the food. Beneath a retractable glass roof, George Livissianis has created a space of natural light, greenery and contrasting materials. Birch plywood, raw aluminium and translucent screens bring a contemporary sensibility to the traditional izakaya format.
By day, the rooftop lends itself to long lunches beneath the Sydney sky. As the light changes, the atmosphere turns towards cocktails, sake and dinners that linger into the evening.
Matt Whiley's cocktail programme takes inspiration from Japanese fruits and flavours, while Sam Christie's sake and wine selections offer another way to explore the menu.
It's a place to discover something new, whether at the sushi counter, over drinks or around a table shared with friends.
Two Restaurants, Two Distinct Personalities
While Baptiste and Tenjo offer very different experiences, they share an appreciation for the details that make a restaurant memorable: a thoughtful welcome, the craft behind a dish, the atmosphere of a room and the pleasure of gathering around a table.
Their arrival adds another dimension to The EVE, where hospitality, architecture and neighbourhood culture come together. From breakfast at Baptiste to an evening above the city at Tenjo, guests now have even more ways to experience the character of Redfern without venturing far from their room.
Baptiste and Tenjo are now open at The EVE. Guests are invited to explore both restaurants and make reservations directly, or speak with our hosts for assistance in securing a table.