GPO Sydney
The first question is, “What is GPO?” It means the General Post Office. The second question is, “What is at the post office after dark?” And the answer is Sydney’s most exclusive array of restaurants, bars, and cabarets conveniently located under one roof. Built in 1866, the monumental landmark in downtown Sydney was sold to private investors in 1996 and then transformed into an entertainment complex second to none in Sydney. By the numbers, the GPO features seven fine dining restaurants, six casual dining bistros, three cafes, four bars, and three cabaret shows. Where does one start? For fine dining, Prime Grill Room, voted “Sydney’s Best Steak Restaurant” for the past 14 years, tops the list with its world famous Wagyu beef generally regarded as the highest grade and tastiest beef in the world. With a marbling score of 9+, the Wagyu selected for Prime is the highest scored Wagyu product available outside of Japan. The sommelier recommends, shares a brief history, and pairs the finest wines available from more than 300 vintages in the private wine cellar.
For the romantic couple in love, the Chateaubriand, the signature dish at the restaurant, is a center cut of tenderloin, seared on the outside and rare on the inside, served with pommes boulangere, eschalot, bone marrow, and sauce bordelaise. The Chateaubriand was first created in the 1800’s for Francois Chateaubriand and his mistress Maddam Juliette Recaimer as a late evening treat followed by passionate lovemaking. Considered the most beautiful woman in France, Maddam Recaimer, wooed by many including Napoleon, always returned to Francois for her evening delight.
After fine dining and wine pairing, nothing is better than a little entertainment, and the GPO has much to offer, including three cabaret shows, all different and themed to delight everyone. From Spice’s “Vaudeville” to PIMP’s “Male Esque” to Crystal Boudoir Cabaret and Burlesque show, it’s a tough decision, but let’s check out the Crystal Boudoir. Close your eyes and step back in time to a 1920’s Parisian night club. Choreographed by Michael Boyd, glamorous dancers, wearing elaborate costumes, enchant patrons with sensual moves accentuated by Paul Chenard’s live saxophone music and dramatic lighting. On occasion the Crystal Boudoir presents celebrity performers like, Dita Von Teese, Queen of Burlesque.
