If the outside city is grey, then the inside of Clam Bar is light years away from that. The outside doesn’t give much away except for tinted glass and silver doors with the words Clam Bar in giant letters. We head to Clam Bar – which has taken over the former Bridge Room space in Sydney’s CBD – mid-week and hungry. Thankfully, it’s turned out to be a clam dunk. So, when news broke earlier this year that the trio were opening a third Sydney restaurant – a New York-style steak house slinging retro classics – joining Pellegrino 2000 and their French baby, Bistrot 916 – we were thrilled, hopeful, and perhaps a little biased. Chefs and owners Dan Pepperell and Mikey Clift, alongside sommelier Andy Tyson, know how to create a rocking venue with on-point flavours and a feel-good vibe (the fact that it’s impossible to get a booking unless it's a Tuesday at 5pm is testament to that).

Disclaimer: Good-times-only Italian diner Pellegrino 2000 is one of our favourite restaurants in Sydney.

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