New For Macquarie Park

Rebecca Varidel
13th Jun 2018

The Governor, an expansive multi-level Australian pub, is set open in Macquarie Park this July. The latest venture from Momento Hospitality, The Governor will be an exciting new seven days and nights dining venue for North-West Sydney with a diverse range of spaces to eat, drink and socialise.

Designed by Edith Clark, The Governor’s ground floor will be home to a spacious main bar and bistro, accented with lush greenery, royal green tiles, plush stools and dark timbers. The long bar, made with a light wooden timber, leads to six intimate booths inspired by an old train carriage, each adorned with gold statement lighting – the ideal setting for a weeknight date or special catch-up. The spacious bistro sits 160pax, complete with rungs of greenery, an open fireplace and a portrait of Governor Macquarie, beautifully drawn by Momento waitress, Olivia Anderson. With its timber detailing, exposed brick walls, live green wall and festoon lighting, the garden terrace provides the perfect spot for those wanting to catch the afternoon sun.

Head Chef Luke Lashford is behind all of The Governor’s menus – which provides a variety of options for the many experiences within – from teriyaki chicken poke salad in the sun-drenched terrace, to wood-fired pizza by the bar and slow-cooked Flinders Island land shoulder for two, served in the intimate alcoves of the downstairs bistro. Lashford, who honed his skills in large-scale venues including Sheraton on the Park and The Australian Hotel and Brewery, believes that a great pub is a place with different offerings for different occasions. “That’s the key to creating a pub where you’ll want to return time and time again,” he says. “And it’s exactly what The Governor is all about. It’s somewhere you can settle in no matter what the hour and be well fed and watered no matter where you decide to perch”.

Bar manager Andrew Ratcliff (ex Baxter Inn, Eau de Vie) has been working closely with Lashford on the drinks list and will feature classic and seasonal creations designed to match the kitchen menu. The signature drink is ‘The Governor’, a unique twist on a whisky classic.

Those seeking garden vibes and a city view can look no further then Ess, The Governor’s rooftop bar, comes complete with its own bar, central kitchen and sweeping 360-degree views of the local area. Ess, which opens at the same time as The Governor’s downstairs bar and bistro, will serve as the perfect place for a those seeking a relaxing and friendly watering hole for afternoon knock-offs or long Sunday afternoons.

Lashford and Ratcliff have developed a bespoke Asian inspired menu for the rooftop. Guests will graze on small plates straight from the Japanese charcoal grill, including skewers of wagyu beef and zesty chicken wings in yakitori glaze. Lashford’s choice is the Atlantic salmon, blowtorched to order. “We fillet the salmon in-house and marinate it overnight in miso and soy,” says Lashford. “It’s served with shimeji mushrooms that’ve been pickled in gin for something a bit different.”

The Governor is the latest venture from Momento Hospitality, helmed by the Colosimo family, who wanted to create a venue the local community would be proud of and felt at home. “On the wall there’s a quote that says, ‘there are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet,’” says Colosimo. “At The Governor it’s true. We are extremely proud of this community hub in Macquarie Park and we can’t wait to welcome you.”

Momento Hospitality also own and operate hospitality venues The Australian Hotel & Brewery, Bella Vista Hotel and Hillside Hotel; the Hospitality Institute of NSW, a tertiary education facility focussed on hospitality training and education and the Momento Foundation which provides support and assistance to underprivileged and in-need members of Sydney’s north-western community.

The exact open date of The Governor and further details of the menus will be announced shortly.