REVIEWS

ON THE WORLD STAGE
“Sydney chef Christine Manfield is now overseeing this sultry courtyard restaurant with cheeky, mod design and color-field lighting. Playing to loyal fans…..she continues her tradition of creating eclectic dishes, with inspirations that range from Southeast Asia to Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. We loved the salad of soft-shell crab, tamarind, lychee and cashews.”
USA Food and Wine 2008 Awards have nominated Universal as one of the world’s 10 best new restaurants.

"It is extravagantly flavoured food, yet sophisticated in form and texture, with as many layers and complexity as French cuisine……it is Sydney on a succession of small plates, fulfilling a real need for chic high energy food that fuses East and West, past and future without compromise."
Terry Durack
The Independent, London
October 2007

"Universal’s boundary blurring food defies easy categorising. In a career of constant reinvention and evolution, Manfield is now talking about a new kind of global dining aesthetic. I don’t know if that makes her an artist but, wow, what an interesting voice."
Guy Griffin
Sydney Magazine
November 2007

“Chris Manfield likes a challenge. Her energy, drive and enthusiasm to push it to the next level play a big part in her working life, which is evident on the plate.”
Myffy Rigby,
Fishline News,
September 2007

“Chris Manfield’s new venture, after an absence of several years shows she’s not only a force to be reckoned with, her talent is more focused, honed and wise....Manfield is a welcome shot of adrenaline in an increasingly predictable city. There’s a remarkable harmony to her flavours, which work as a strong ensemble cast supporting the occasional star.”
Simon Thomsen,
SMH Good Living,
September 2007

“The menu reflects Manfield’s passion for travel and her obsession with flavour.”
Cerentha Harris,
Vogue Entertaining and Travel, September 2007

“Christine Manfield’s newly opened Universal restaurant is an oasis of light and sublime food.....Universal’s glow cocoons indoor-outdoor tables, the menu of small intense dishes culminates in a chocolate trio with a subtle explosion of vanilla salt.”
Judith Elen,
The Australian,
August, 2007

“Frankly, Sydney will be a more exciting place for this new restaurant.......stay tuned – the queen of cuisine is back.”
Margaret Merton,
Centurion Magazine,
September 2007