Plate No. II — The Restaurant

Ashend Willoow

A restaurant and offline poker salon presented as a living art collection, where every dish and every hand is a curated experience.

The restaurant blends Australian hospitality with the atmosphere of an Italian Renaissance gallery. Offline poker is central to the experience, with dedicated tables and a card lounge. The setting is designed to feel like dining inside a frescoed hall at 12 Gallery Lane, Sydney.

The Dining Philosophy

A Feast for the Senses

Our kitchen treats each dish as a composition, balancing Australian produce with classical techniques to create plates that are both beautiful and delicious. Seasonal ingredients are selected like pigments for a fresco, chosen at their peak and arranged with the same deliberation a painter gives to a still life. Presentation is inspired by Renaissance canvases, with careful attention to colour, texture, and the negative space that lets each element breathe. The dining room is designed to encourage slow, contemplative meals, where the meal unfolds like a private viewing rather than a hurried service.

Hospitality as Ritual

Service at Ashend Willoow is a quiet ritual, where each course is introduced like a new exhibit and guests are encouraged to linger. Staff are trained in both fine dining and the etiquette of the card lounge, so the transition from table to poker evening feels seamless. The pace of service mirrors the unhurried atmosphere of a gallery visit, allowing conversation to develop naturally and the room to reveal its details over time.

The Gallery Spaces

The Frescoed Dining Room

The main dining room is lined with reproductions of Renaissance frescoes, with long communal tables and intimate corners for private conversations. Walls are finished in warm marble tones with gold accents, while tables are set with heavy linen and antique-style cutlery. Lighting is soft, from candle-like fixtures and hidden uplights, so the room glows like a gallery after hours.

The Card Lounge

Adjacent to the dining room, the card lounge is a dedicated space for offline poker, with professional tables and comfortable seating. The lounge features a collection of vintage playing cards displayed in glass cases, and the poker tables are handcrafted from dark wood with green felt surfaces. Chips are provided as tactile props, never for monetary value, reinforcing the physical and social nature of the game.

The Private Salon

For special occasions, a private salon can be reserved, offering an exclusive dining and poker experience. The salon seats up to 12 guests and features its own poker table and a dedicated server. Decor includes original artworks from local Australian artists, making each private evening feel like a curated exhibition.

The frescoed dining room with long tables and warm candlelight — Plate IV — The Frescoed Dining Room

Handcrafted poker table in the card lounge with chips and cards — Plate V — The Card Lounge

Autumn Collection

The current menu features dishes inspired by Renaissance still lifes, using seasonal Australian produce. Dishes are named after classical artworks or themes, and each is paired with a suggested wine from the cellar. Vegetarian and dietary options are available, and the kitchen is happy to adapt plates where possible.

Signature Dishes

Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder

Cooked for twelve hours with rosemary and served with root vegetables, this dish recalls the rich browns and ochres of a Renaissance banquet scene.
Saffron Risotto with Wild Mushrooms

Carnaroli rice folded with a reduction of aged balsamic and finished with wild mushrooms, its golden tones echoing the gilded frames throughout the room.
Fig and Honey Tart

Fresh figs from local orchards set in a honeyed custard, served warm with a quiet dusting of spice.

Still life of a seasonal dish with slow-roasted lamb and vegetables — Plate VI — Autumn Still Life

The Offline Poker Experience

Poker as a Social Ritual

Offline poker at Ashend Willoow is a social activity, played for the enjoyment of the game and the company, with no monetary stakes. Games are hosted on select evenings in the card lounge, where professional dealers manage the tables and explain the rules. Chips are used as tactile props to enhance the physical experience, giving each hand the weight and presence of a shared ritual.

Poker Evenings Schedule

Poker evenings are held every Friday and Saturday from 7 PM, with a focus on Texas Hold'em and other popular variants. Each evening begins with a short etiquette briefing, and tables seat up to 8 players. Reservations are recommended as spaces are limited.

“The cards are a pretext; the table is where the evening becomes a work of art.”

Close-up of poker chips and playing cards on a green felt table — Plate VII — The Tactile Table

Poker Table Etiquette

The Art of the Table

Etiquette at the poker table is part of the ritual, ensuring a respectful and enjoyable experience for all players. Players are expected to be attentive and avoid distractions, handling chips and cards with care as part of the physical experience. The dealer's instructions are to be followed at all times.

Arrive a few minutes early for the etiquette briefing.
Keep phones silent and away from the felt.
Handle chips and cards gently, as you would a gallery object.
Follow the dealer's guidance without interruption.

Read the full poker table etiquette guide

Private Evenings

An Evening in the Salon

Private evenings can be arranged for groups, featuring a custom menu and dedicated poker table in the private salon. Options include a multi-course dinner followed by poker, or a poker-only evening with canapés. A dedicated host and dealer are provided, and the salon can be decorated to suit the occasion.

Explore private evening options

Intimate private salon with a long table set for dinner and candles — Plate VIII — The Private Salon

Gallery Journal Preview

From the Journal

Our gallery journal documents the stories behind the dishes, the art, and the poker evenings, offering a deeper look into the Ashend Willoow experience. Recent entry: “The Still Life of a Poker Table” explores the aesthetics of the card lounge. Entries include interviews with chefs and regular players, and the journal is updated monthly.

Visit the gallery journal

Booking and Reservations

Reserve Your Experience

To book a table or a poker evening, please contact us by phone or email, or use the online booking form on the contact page.

Phone: +61255501234
Email: [email protected]
Address: 12 Gallery Lane, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Go to the contact page