Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas is set to make waves in Sydney by introducing his elegant dining establishment, Grill Americano, at the prominent No. 1 Chifley Square. Occupying the entire ground floor of this renowned mid-century building, Lucas promises to deliver a fresh take on the steakhouse experience amidst Sydney’s bustling culinary scene.
“I fell in love with the building years ago during a stay at the Wentworth Hotel next door,” Lucas shares, referring to its iconic 1950s design, originally known as Qantas House. With expansive glass frontage, the September 2025 opening will provide Grill Americano with significant street visibility.
While Sydney might not be short on steakhouses, with recent additions like Eleven Barrack by the Bentley Bar + Restaurant team and the acclaimed Grill at The International, Lucas sees an opportunity for something different. His previous success with Chin Chin at the historic Griffiths Teas building in Surry Hills showcases his expertise with heritage locations, and his wife, Sarah Lucas, will again bring her design talents to the interiors, following her work on Melbourne’s Maison Batard.
The strategic location opposite the new Martin Place metro station positions Grill Americano at Sydney’s vibrant heart. Lucas aims to redefine the grill concept with a blend of American and Italian culinary influences. “I didn’t want it to be too masculine,” he notes, highlighting that more than half of the Melbourne clientele are women, hence creating a balanced, non-traditional steakhouse.
Signature offerings at the new venue will include the wagyu eye-fillet and the spanner crab linguine aglio e olio, alongside an extensive pasta section and a unique oyster and crustacea bar, taking advantage of the larger Sydney kitchen. A comprehensive wine program featuring 7,000 to 8,000 bottles will add to the dining experience.
Having recently expanded to Canberra with the restaurant Carlotta, Lucas continues to evolve his hospitality portfolio, infusing some of Melbourne’s Eurocentric DNA into Grill Americano Sydney while embracing the unique energy the city offers. “The area around here is home to Sydney’s top restaurants, office buildings, hotels, and shopping. It’s the heart and soul of the city,” Lucas enthuses, ready to be a part of Sydney’s dynamic dining landscape.