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.

“Like great winemakers, great chefs stamp their personality on their product. So welcome to Christine Manfield’s universe: bold, extrovert, adventurous, perfectionist. Taste it in her quite extraordinary, original food, the culinary cure for a world of blandness and pale imitations. Backing her is first class service from staff who know when to engage and when to vanish.”
The A-List. 50 Great Australian Restaurants
Weekend Australian, September 2009

“Liquorice allsorts colour burst courtyard where spice queen Christine Manfield fuses unique world flaves in tasting plates that zing and desserts that sing.”
Luxe Sydney Guide 2009

“Buckle up. You’re about to travel first class on a global tour of knock out flavours and masterful textural combinations.....This is one trip you won’t want to miss”
Awarded 2 chefs hats and Favourite Global Menu
2010 Sydney Morning Herald
Good Food Guide

“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

“...think of this as a cuisine that samples flavours and textures from around the world and remixes them in a manner that’s both coherent and exciting......it’s where sexy Sydney chooses to dine......(where) desserts remain among the finest in the land.”
Awarded 2 stars
2010 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide

“Christine Manfield’s desserts have always been a highlight of her restaurants and the ones at Universal are no exception. Like the rest of her menu, texture and incredibly flavoured ingredients rule. Manfield’s sense of play when it comes to naming her desserts is part of the fun of eating them.”
Best Dessert Restaurant
2009 Time Out Sydney Food Awards