Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - SYD dining recommendations for 25 people

We'll be attending World Youth Day in Sydney next month. My wife is coordinating a large-group dinner and needs to find a restaurant fitting the following criteria (in order of importance):

Reasonably-priced main dishes, < A$25 range. Family-style dining is OK.
Open on Friday evenings (we're looking at July 18 ~19:00)
Allow booking for 25 people (consisting primarly of bishop, clergy and seminarians)
Desired neighborhoods: The Rocks, Millers Point, Darling Harbour, West Circular Quay
Some examples of typical Australian fare
Can be a chain-type restaurant with busy atmosphere, similar to that of U.S. based chains like Cheesecake Factory.


Any help appreciated.

We had a delicious, reasonably priced dinner at St. Patrick's Tavern on King St. in the CBD: http://www.stpatrickstavern.com.au/

Worth a call!

There're many options, especially around Darling Harbour, but the <$25 range may be a bit tough to satisfy. (~$30 will be easier to deal with.)

If you like seafood, there're Nick's (2 of them around Darling Harbour), Jordon's (looking at $30-$35pp), or Ice Cube (a branch of the Ice Cube restaurant at Bondi). These all do groups.

However, the crowd at Darling Harbour can get a bit 'excited' on Friday nights.

Check out www.eatability.com.au

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Looks like $25 is a bit of a stretch for the areas we're looking at, I see.

At Cockle Bay (eastern/city side of Darling Harbour, just south of King St Wharf precinct) I recommend Coast. Reviews and contact info should be on the www.eatability.com.au site above. kaukau should concur with me about this place! SMH review (http://www.smh.com.au/news/restaurant-reviews/coast/2006/02/23/1140563898168.html).
Unfortunately the offer below isn't accepted by Coast any more so the cost will be closer to $40 than $25 per main.

Some city restaurants offer a promotion for Citi credit card holders, eg 'bogof' offer for main course or 10-20% off the bill. [Citi promo page link (http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/citibank/default.aspx)]

If you haven't noted it, I have collected local information for WYD into this thread in the Religious Travellers forum (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=830304).

Let me know if you have any other questions - in here or over there.

James Squire Brewhouse, King Street Wharf, going for the lowerdeck menu (http://www.jamessquirebrewhouse.net/lower_deck_sydney.htm) should hit your budget.

Great locale and food was good last time I ate there..

Not sure if you can book now I think about, you could but try.. I think most Hotel/Bars/Restaurants are not seeing WYD as a profitable event for them, if anything they are expecting a downturn/\.

I ate at the Nicks in Darling Harbour but don't think you'll be able to get out of there for under $25 per person. Good food and atmosphere though if you're willing to up the limit though.

Every time we're in SYD my partner and friends drag me to Pancake on the Rocks. Prices are pretty good and so is the food (it's not just pancakes). As the name suggests is at The Rocks and it's open 24 hours a day - has been packed every time of been there.

http://www.pancakesontherocks.com.au

James Squire Brewhouse does look like a possibility, with reasonably priced mains, and it is right near Baragaroo where most of the WYD events are happening that week.

It's not exactly Aussie cuisine, but Pancakes is an institution most Aussie FTers would have visited at some time. :)

It is still worth looking up some of the reviews in the eatability guide linked above and seeing which ones offer 'bogof' main courses (Entertainment Book/Card would have many offers, as well as the Citibank cards).

The King St Wharf or Cockle Bay locations offer a nice evening view west, which I prefer to the more touristy Darling Harbour side. There is much more choice in the King St precinct, though you'd better find some offers to get the cost down, per head.

I hope you get a few more suggestions. :)

Speaking as a Sydney sider who works near by.
I second the James Squire option for your group. Its down on the water ,they do good tucker and Australian beers in a relaxed casual atmosphere.
The King st Wharf and Cockle bay area are very nice and generally attract a lot locals to their bars/restaurants.
Generally speaking the Rocks and in particular, Darling harbour are pure tourist traps IMHO.

We went ahead and booked James Squire Brewhouse for the location, price, group accommodation, and menu options (looking forward to trying the 'roo).

My wife and I may try Pancake on the Rocks on our own.

Thanks again for the suggestions!