Nikki To
Much loved Sydney wine bar Poly will be closed until further notice after fire broke out in the kitchen’s chimney around 6pm last night.
“Staff prioritised the evacuation of guests and patrons of the building, and Poly’s sprinkler system quickly activated to quell the fire,” said a spokesperson for Paramount House, where Poly is situated.
No one was injured in the blaze, however it is understood the restaurant has sustained significant water damage as a result of the sprinkler activating. Fire services also attended the scene.
Known for its umami-heavy snacks conjured up by chef Mat Lindsay, and a succinct but powerful wine list, Poly has become a must-visit destination since opening in 2018. It’s fried potato with salted egg yolk snack has acquired cult status and is regularly name checked as one of Sydney’s best bites.
Poly is the sister venue to Lindsay’s acclaimed fine diner Ester, which is famous for its wood-fired dishes. At Poly, Lindsay and his team cook over a coal-fired hearth, grilling skewers and smoking a number of dishes.
Chimney fires are a common hazard in commercial kitchens. Three years ago, a similar incident saw nearby restaurant Nomad close for a year, after a fire broke out in the restaurant’s exhaust system. And in 2015, fire destroyed Porteno in Surry Hills when a blaze broke out in the flue above the Argentinian restaurant’s barbecue pit.
While the damage is still being assessed at Poly, its fellow Paramount House neighbours are open for business, including A.P House by All Purpose Bakery and Paramount Coffee Project.
