Rose Bay sure is a beauty, but let’s be honest, she can be a little sleepy. Good news then that Rasa House – a new, vibrant South and Southeast Asian wine bar and restaurant – has opened, bringing fire, spice and all things nice to the waterfront. The 60-seat Rasa – which means flavour, aroma and taste in Indonesian, and the essence of life in Hindi – is the first venture for screenwriter Vinay Matta. But good food runs in his blood: his parents founded Sydney go-tos The Spice Room and Jewel on the Bay, which is right next door to Rasa House.
Fresh, seasonal produce is key at Rasa House, which sources its seafood from The Fish Market at Maroubra, and meat from Sydney’s Field to Fork. Plus, herbs – like mint, rosemary and turmeric – will come from a local community vegetable garden in Rose Bay.
Menu highlights include crisp Java-style squid with kombu, burnt chilli and lime mayo; Indonesian-inspired yellowfin tuna ceviche with lemongrass, lime and bird’s eye chilli; Afghan-Indian lamb shank boti with hung curd, pomegranate and slivered almonds; and Nepalese vege dumplings – momos – in a coconut gravy.
“Inspiration is all around, you just need to be willing to embrace it,” says Vinay.
“The idea for Rasa House came from my travels, my art as a screenwriter, my heritage and my parents’ journey in hospitality – I’ve learnt a lot from them, but I’m also ready to make things my own. To do something that isn’t rooted in legacy but will create a legacy of its own.”
It’s not just the food that’s hot. The dining room is decked out in earthy tones with colourful accents and custom murals by local Sydney artist Mali Pilgrem Blasco, which bring life and warmth to the sunlit space. Plus, the alfresco seating lets you and your date soak up sparkling views of Rose Bay Marina and Shark Island.
Spanning drops from Australia, Spain, France, South Africa, Germany and Morocco, the wine list is varied and interesting. Cocktail-wise, expect riffs on the classics, including a Singapore Sling, the Oriental Vieux Carré, Lychee Margarita and a Japanese Tea Old Fashioned.
Got plans this weekend? Leave your house and come check out Rasa House.
Find out more here.
Address: 639B New South Head Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029
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