QT Sydney has announced renowned Australian chef Sean Connolly is now at the helm of its signature restaurant Gowings, driving its new creative culinary direction inspired by New York’s Little Italy and steakhouse scene.

When it opened as part of QT Sydney in 2012, Gowings Bar and Grill was the first of its kind in Sydney, and has since become a top dining institution for the city as an elegant yet edgy European style brasserie.

Now entering its next iteration, the restaurant combines New York steakhouse with fresh and elegant Italian cuisine, welcoming guests with an open grill kitchen, roaming trolleys for tableside service, and a dash of punk and theatrics.

Following the opening of award-winning restaurant Esther at QT Auckland, chef Connolly will now lead the dining concept of Gowings in addition to in-room dining, and conference and events menus.

“I’m very excited to be working with Gowings, a restaurant that was a pioneer in Sydney’s dining scene, located in a building that is a huge part of Sydney’s cultural fabric,” Connolly said.

“In this new venture, I’ll bring back old school hotel dining with a twist, combining the new interiors and menu with a flair for interactive theatre.”

Combining his celebration of food and passion for pop culture, the acclaimed chef has created a menu which showcases clean, crisp flavours, high quality seafood, fresh pasta, and the best Australian pasture and grain-fed beef.

“It’ll be a melting pot of Italian food and great Australian beef and produce – what’s not to love?”

Promising a dining experience that matches the dynamic New York scene its inspired by, Gowings has also introduced a Chef’s Table in the kitchen, where up to eight guests can watch the theatrics of the kitchen while they dine.

“It’s an immersive experience, where the food and drinks are equal to the atmosphere, interaction, brought alive with high-fashion art, photography and music,” Connolly said.

To complement the new menu, QT’s beverage director, Chris Morrison and head sommelier, Samantha Belt have created a wine list highlighting Australian winemakers, with an Italian accent, featuring more than 800 wines. There is also an aged Australian collection which goes back 90 years, along with a large Coravin program, while the newly renovated bar offers the perfect spot for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail.