I guess immersive dining experiences that introduce technology into restaurant dining will soon become more common, but for the moment the immersive dining experience at Bar Lulu in Sydney is something of a novelty.
Imagine dining in a room with a view to the Sydney Opera House while the walls around you are covered in a floor-to-ceiling 3D light show, powered by AI technology. The projected images include an underwater world, the night sky, a serene Asian garden, and Christmas snowflakes. There are 58 different projections in total. It’s a constantly changing spectacle that certainly ups the wow factor for the evening.
The only immersive dining experience we’d previously had was on board the Discovery Princess, cruising from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Its 360-degree dining experience was so special it brought tears to my eyes. The immersive dining experience at Bar Lulu is not in the same league but it is still spectacular and entertaining and a source of countless oohs and aahs over the course of the evening.
Bar Lulu is the upstairs bar above Luna Lu in the heritage-listed Campbells Cove in The Rocks. Luna Lu has an enticing menu of modern Asian dishes, and it’s a great place to sit and enjoy a sunset cocktail overlooking beautiful Sydney Harbour. It has a huge selection of gin with recommended mixers, an outstanding selection of whiskies, and some wonderful fine wines (including all the top guns from Penfolds).
In what surely must be one of Sydney’s most picturesque Happy Hours, you can sip on a $15 Apple Blossom Saketini sprinkled with gold dust while snacking on Merimbula oysters or truffle duck spring rolls while the sun sets. Other cocktails and snacks are also available, along with $10 beers and $15 wines. Happy Hour runs from 3-6pm Monday to Thursday.
Wander upstairs to Bar Lulu and you’ll find its 360-degree light show on offer every Thursday and Sunday. Entry to the immersive bar is $40 per person. You can order food a la carte or opt for the banquet menu which costs $120 per person (including entry). Kids under 12 are $55 per person. Drinks are extra. We were happy to go with the waiter’s recommendation of a Saltram Winemaker’s Selection Barossa Valley Fiano which paired nicely with all the dishes.
The banquet menu on the night we dined kicked off with scallop and prawn dumplings, and fingers of prawn toast coated in white sesame seeds, topped with black flying fish roe. The prawn toast was superb, tasting as good as it looked or even better. Mains included crispy chicken glazed with honey yuzu, and Peking duck and tamarind jus tossed through a salad of kale and daikon slivers.
Served alongside the mains was a fried rice made from jasmine rice with English spinach puree and edamame. The rice dish apparently attracts customers who come especially for it, so our waiter says. I’m not surprised; it is utterly delicious. Dessert was fried pandan icecream, garnished with caramelised popcorn, toffee sauce and dainty pansies. Very pretty.
Luna Lu / Bar Lulu owner Garry Simonian, who also owns Cardea in Barangaroo, has taken an innovative approach across all his establishments, seamlessly integrating AI and digital innovations and embracing “dinner and show” options.
While we were enjoying our sunset cocktails, we were eyeing off the Dining Dome that Luna Lu offers in partnership with Chateau Tanunda. In this exclusive setting, you can enjoy superb views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House while enjoying a bespoke four-course meal.
The price tag of $200 per person (minimum of 4 people) includes Chateau Tanunda wines paired with the four courses. The Dining Dome can be booked any night from Monday to Sunday. You’ll be the envy of everyone walking past your table, guaranteed.
If you go:
Bar Lulu
Level 1, Bays 4 and 5, 7-27 Circular Quay West
Campbells Cove, The Rocks
Sydney, NSW
Australia
www.lunalu.com.au
Food Wine Travel was a guest of Bar Lulu for the immersive dining experience.
Sounds like a wonderful experience!
It sure is!