The Paper Mill is one of a number of former industrial precincts being reimagined and revived around Sydney, located on the Georges River at Liverpool with a striking, urban design aesthetic that would not look out of place in inner city Sydney.
While most of the precinct is dedicated to modern new apartment buildings and townhouses, a trendy food hall has also opened with a mix of four eateries serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner options to the community.
As the name suggests, Firepit’s menu features fresh market seafood, locally sourced meat and vegetables, roasted over flames, coals and iron bark. The fitout of the restaurant itself is sleek, with soaring ceilings and plenty of exposed brick and steel beams, but the vibe is casual dining and they have a good selection of spacious private dining rooms that are perfect for groups.
We started off our feast with a half-dozen of their Wood-Roasted Oysters Rockefeller which we absolutely loved (who can say no to plump oysters covered with a garlic butter sauce?), along with a serving of their super rich Bone Marrow, which had been wood-roasted too with parsley and served with an olive and onion salad.
Wood-Roasted Oysters Rockfeller, $26
Bone Marrow, $18
We mopped up the delicious sauces from the Oysters Rockefeller and the Bone Marrow with a serving of Chilli and Oregano Bread, which itself came with a dollop of black garlic in olive oil.
Chilli and Oregano Bread, $7
For our mains, we couldn’t go past a steak and their 1000 Guineas Shorthorn Scotch Fillet (350g, Riverina MS2+, 120 day grain-fed) was a brilliant choice, with the premium beef grilled to perfection and served with a flavoursome red wine jus and crunchy chips.
1000 Guineas Shorthorn Scotch Fillet, $47
The Alaskan Crab Linguini was our other main, plated beautifully with a generous amount of shredded crab meat tossed throughout the silky house pasta. The pasta was coated with a light lemon butter sauce, seasoned with chilli and parsley and topped off with juicy pearls of salmon caviar for a luxe touch.
Alaskan Crab Linguini, $33
We also tried their decadent Wood-Fired Cauliflower (coated in melted gruyere and an eschallot cream) and a moreish Smoked Mash from their sides menu.
Wood-Fired Cauliflower, $10
Smoked Mash, $10
From the cocktails menu, we enjoyed the Cheeky Negroni (the twist is from the addition of Averna liqueur) and also the refreshing Passionfruit Lover, a drink that captures the essence of the Australian summer with its blend of Aperol, passionfruit, pomegranate and sparkling wine.
Cheeky Negroni, $19 and Passionfruit Lover, $18
The Paper Mill is quickly becoming a prime foodie destination in western Sydney, judging by the full house on the night we visited the Firepit. This is definitely a kitchen that knows its way around a wood-fired grill that allows the locally sourced produce to shine, in an ambience that rivals inner city Sydney. We will definitely be back to try some of the other eateries in the precinct next time!
Excuse Me Waiter dined as guests of the Firepit
Firepit
20 Shepherd Street, Liverpool NSW 2170
Phone: (02) 8742 4033
