Applejack Hospitality has revealed its food and beverage offering for URBNSURF Sydney, the first-ever surf park in NSW.
Set to open in Autumn 2024, the offerings at URBNSURF will include the new location of Applejack’s hatted North Sydney restaurant RAFI. The 200-person premium dining facility will be situated on the upper level and feature a rooftop terrace. Designed by interior design firm Luchetti Krelle, a long-standing collaborator on Applejack venues, the venue will feature a pared-back coastal design.
Downstairs from RAFI URBNSURF Sydney will be Sandy’s, a casual surfside eatery which will be open from 6:30am to 8:30pm. The breakfast menu will include double smoked crispy bacon and free-range egg roll and pancake stacks, moving to crispy fish tacos and beef barbacoa burritos as the day goes on. Drinks will range from smoothies, juices, and coffee to grab and go G&Ts, beer, cocktails, and wine on tap.
Patrick Friesen, Applejack Hospitality Culinary Director, is excited about the partnership.
“The partnership between Applejack and URBNSURF Sydney is such a unique opportunity for myself and the culinary team. With the launch of RAFI URBNSURF and Sandy’s we’re excited to bring top-quality, sustainable food at premium and accessible price points to Sydney Olympic Park, for fancy to casual occasions,” he said.
Group Beverage Manager Joe Worthington and RAFI Bar Manager Cameron Freno are heading the beverage offering, with unique offerings such as the Sub-Zero Oyster Martini and Sub-Zero burnt butter and pecan Old Fashioned. Additionally, the wine list will feature a number of acclaimed international drops.
RAFI Executive Head Chef Matias Cilloniz will also head the culinary team at RAFI URBNSURF Sydney, entering into a new role as multi-site Executive Chef. Emphasising freshness and seasonality, the menu will focus on charcoal grilled seafood, vegetables, beef and lamb. It will also feature popular dishes from RAFI North Sydney.
“Following the triumph of RAFI North Sydney, it was a natural progression to entrust Matias with opening our second location, alongside Sandy’s. We can’t wait to welcome the URBNSURF and Western Sydney communities to our premium restaurant, and surfers and spectators of the park to our all-day eatery Sandy’s, where you can walk up in your wetsuit for seriously good snacks and drinks. Here’s to a wave of delicious new dining experiences,” Friesen said.
Alongside Sandy’s and RAFI, Applejack will manage three unique events spaces. The Surf Suite is an events space with capacity for 120 people, catered by RAFI. The seven poolside Cabanas and Cabana Lawn can host up to 800 people, with food and beverages coming from Sandy’s, with space for picnics, games, and live music sessions. Lastly, The Hill will cater to large scale events including live music, shows, and sporting events.
URBNSURF CEO Damon Tudor said that the park is nearing completion.
“We’re now only months away from pumping our first waves at URBNSURF Sydney,” he said.
“Construction has been tracking really well and we have the wave machine in place and the site is really starting to take shape. Several of the on-site amenities are also close to completion including our restaurants, health and wellness centre, surf academy and leisure pool and it is really exciting to be able to visualise what every customer will be able to enjoy when they walk through the gates.
“What’s even more exciting, is seeing our incredible food and beverage offerings take shape and bring that added culinary experience that we know will excite and delight surfers and non-surfers to return again and again.”