The Alcott

The Verdict

“Your club for nice people and friends.” 

That was the slogan for the former Lane Cove Club, a once-humble establishment in Sydney’s lower North Shore that offered TriviaMagic Tuesdays, Meat Raffle Thursdays, and bingo on Friday mornings. Please google the original logo. It will make your day. 

The club has undergone a cheeky revamp which means this joint is now an effortlessly stylish 250-seater restaurant with its own dedicated spritz bar. Yep, Pony Design Co has done a solid with the design. There are strong and sleek mid-century vibes, clean lines and subtle textures. And plants. Lots of plants. 

Head chef Richard Slarp leads the kitchen, brandishing his impressive CV. He’s had stints at Sake and est., and has dreamed up a mod-Mediterranean-inspired menu. There are super lush saltbush lamb ribs with almond, sumac and coriander; and an epic whole, chargrilled calamari with pickled fennel, tomato pangrattato. Pop a squeeze of lemon on top, and you’ve got your merry mollusc times made. 

Oh, and the spritz, you ask? They’re shaking things up with a plum spritz, billed as a lighter alternative to mulled wine; and the suze spritz, a refreshing looking beauty with prosecco, grapefruit and a little rosemary. If the weather’s fine, take it out to the outdoor terrace for some good times. 

Lane Cove might miss the bingo, but there's no doubt The Alcott has already won over the locals (and us).

Image credit: Supplied