Paddington's Tequila Mockingbird has transformed into TQM, a golden-yellow restaurant led by a Michelin-rated Venezuelan chef
Paddo locals know Tequila Mockingbird well. For close to a decade, the heritage-listed 19th-century terrace was the go-to for Latin American-inspired fare and zesty, smashable Margs. Not wanting to rest on his laurels, owner Michael Fegent – of Atticus Hospitality, the group also behind the CBD's award-winning Esteban and Balmain's Casa Esquina – has closed Tequila Mockingbird for good. Now, you can say hello to TQM, a fresh, golden-yellow South American restaurant with a Michelin-rated Venezuelan chef at the helm. The vibrant facade is a nod to the Venezuelan flag, symbolising harmony, abundance and the warmth of the sun.
Jose Garcia, whose Buenos Aires restaurant Fogón Asado was ranked the 36th best steak restaurant in the world by Michelin, has just landed in Sydney for the gig. At TQM, Garcia will be drawing on memories of cooking with his mum and grandmother, and will be serving up the flavours of Venezuela, alongside other dishes found throughout South America.
Opening menu highlights include XO prawns with rice and lemon aioli; fried green plantain with smoked fish – a riff on a classic dish usually enjoyed by the beach in Venezuela; and blood sausage croquettes with a tamarind chutney – similar to ones Garcia enjoyed on road trips with his dad as a child. And of course, you can't spend six years at one of the world's best steakhouses and not put premium meat on the menu, so there's a cracking Wagyu enhanced by flames and served with grilled seasonal veg, too.
In good news, fans of the Tequila Mockingbird Margarita (hello, most of Sydney) will be pleased to know it's staying on the menu, alongside punchy new cocktails including the Caribbean Queen (Plantation pineapple rum, Rhubi, Averna, strawberry and lime). Plus, wines by the glass start at $15.
Fegent says: 'When opening Tequila Mockingbird almost a decade ago, I drew on experience gained from venturing through South America. Over the course of many trips, where I visited 30+ local restaurants, Jose's restaurant Fogón Asado was the absolute standout. I've never experienced anything like it before or since and striking up a friendship with Jose during my visit the conversation started about getting him over to Australia.
I wanted to bring back the same passion and excitement I'd had opening Tequila Mockingbird ten years ago and I knew Jose was the right person to help me do that. I can't wait to showcase his extraordinary, world-class cooking from our little part of Sydney and give our customers something truly unique and special," he added.
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