Ananas is a gorgeous modern French restaurant in The Rocks, Sydney.

When my friends first suggested it, I was a little apprehensive, as traditional French cuisine has never been my favourite. But I was in for a surprise!

Ananas was one of the best dining experiences I have had in Sydney… period!

The food, the atmosphere, the service, the ambiance, after dinner cocktails were all exceptional!

Ananas (which means ‘pineapple’ in French) is a must try for anyone who enjoys fine dining. Your culinary dining experience starts as soon as you arrive as the restaurant packs some serious wow. It has a distinct French feel and very glamorous décor with its  sweeping bar, antique-hanging mirrors, murals on the walls and silver pineapple lamps.

The lighting is dim, with candle like chandeliers providing a demure feeling that adds to its allure! The who’ s who of Sydney is here to be seen though some are obviously hoping to disappear in the background.

The food is just as exquisite as the décor. It is French influenced, but remains light and modern. The  menu is equal, if not better, to the best Parisian brasseries.

Entrees:

–       A selection of exquisite Oysters (Sydney Rock & Pacific)

–       Seared scallops served with caramelised veal sweetbread

–       Duck liver and armagnac parfait

–       Classic Prawn cocktail

All four entries were delicious, however the sweetbreads were somewhat of a surprising ingredient to accompany the scallops.

Mains:

–    Lobster ravioli (to die for – I am still dreaming about them)

–    Autumn mushroom pappardelle (perfect for a cold winter evening)

–    Venison (from the daily the specials and the most ‘melt in your mouth’ meat I have tasted )

–    The Sirloin

Although all four mains were excellent, the stand out dishes were the lobster ravioli and the succulent Venison. I highly recommend both!

And of course we can’t forget about the wine list! It is presented on a very techno savvy iPad. There is a good selection of champagne as well as French and Australian wines. We had a beautiful bottle of champagne to accompany our entrees and a sensational (and very well priced) bottle of Rose from Provence that nicely complimented our mains. Great advice from the sommelier.

Last but not least – Desserts.

The caramel éclair is a must try! The choux pastry with salted caramel is a perfect finish to a beautiful meal.

And then, there is the signature dessert – Pineapple four ways –  you must  try that one too!

After we finished our gourmet dinner we were off to the Ananas Bar to indulge a little more before we called it a night.

‘Absolutely Ananas’ anyone? Yes, please! It a signature cocktail you can’t leave the restaurant without trying.

All in all – what a fantastic night! Don’t wait for a special occasion – make a reservation and Enjoy! This gem is a must try!