Sails on Lavender Bay will join a stable of harbourside restaurants.
Sails on Lavender Bay will join a stable of harbourside restaurants.Christopher Pearce

The incoming owner is Bill Drakopoulos,who has built one of Sydney’s largest restaurant groups,with a particular predilection for the harbour.

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Sydney Restaurant Group’s waterfront stable stretches fromOrmeggio at The Spit toThe Fenwick at Balmain and Walsh Bay’sVentuno.

The group also oversees the soon-to-be renovated restaurant atNielsen Park, a small chain ofRipples eateries andAqua Dining, which will reopen next year above the revamped North Sydney Olympic Pool.

“It’s pretty emotional,after[this length of time],” Anderson says. “Staff and customers are treated like family,but I know we can leave Sails in really good hands with Bill.”

Bill Drakopoulos at Aqua Dining in 2015.
Bill Drakopoulos at Aqua Dining in 2015.Rob Homer

Anderson says Sydney diners are drawn to the water. Drakopoulos has built an empire on the lure,but says his latest acquisition is on another level.

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“This one is iconic,it’s been Sails since I was a boy,” he says.

Drakopoulos plans to run the restaurant as is to get a gauge on the business and its customers,with a renovation planned for early 2024.

Asked about his acquisition strategy,Drakopoulos says he focuses on unique properties rather than massive waterfront developments.

“I just picture myself where I’d like to be,and whether it’s a top-end meal or a coffee,it’s on the water.”

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Scott BollesScott Bolles writes the weekly Short Black column in Good Food.

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