PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIADon’t let The Eastern’s aged brick facade fool you; inside awaits fine food and opulent decor ascending its four levels. Nestled within the Westfield shopping centre, this grand old lady underwent a makeover four years ago and re-emerged a well-dressed gem. As a swanky reincarnation of the Bondi Junction Hotel, The Eastern’s Art Deco grandeur now lures the young eastern suburbs set with moody lighting, rich tones and hidden nooks and crannies. Each level boasts distinctive decor, with food options ranging from bar snacks and salads to heartier bistro fare. The ground-level bar focuses on classic pub grub; tuck into a hearty steak sandwich or crumbed chicken burger and wash it down with one of the many beers on tap.
One level up, in the white-swathed Diner, the dining room wraps around the central bar and offers views of shuffling shoppers’ feet. The Diner and Pacifica Lounge rooftop bar share the same seasonal menu, which runs from risotto balls and Mediterranean dips to crispy-skinned ocean trout with fennel, olives and blood orange and the tandoori chicken skewers with mango chutney and cucumber. Dig into the Eastern’s signature grain-fed rib eye with field mushrooms and cavolo nero for a satisfying stomach-liner. The American-style pizzas are the perfect accompaniment for your drink of choice; try the Spanish flat bread with char-grilled chilli chicken chorizo, spiced potato, semi-dried tomato, roasted peppers, chilli and avocado salsa. Drop in on Thursday nights when the well-heeled crowd flock to the lush rooftop terrace as it buzzes with DJs and $5 pizzas.
Lauren Barker, October 2008
