Across Sydney, a new brand of dining out is taking shape. It’s less about white tablecloths and more about shared tables, conversation and community. At Rose Bay’s Rasā House, that idea sits at the centre of everything.
Created by Vinay Matta, whose parents run long-standing favourites Jewel On The Bay and Spice Room, Rasā House draws on a family legacy built around food and community.
The restaurant celebrates South and South East Asian cuisine through a menu of small and shared plates spanning India, Indonesia and Nepal. The chefs, all cooking dishes from their home countries, focus on authenticity, not fusion, letting each recipe speak for itself.
Beyond the plate
But Rasā isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s a place where culture and connection share the same table. The weekly Monday Supper Club brings guests together for a four-course dinner with wine pairings designed to encourage conversation.
On the last Sunday of every month, the restaurant becomes a cosy cinema for free Movie Nights, complete with themed cocktails and snacks inspired by the menu. Then there’s the Singles Night series, a relaxed evening that blends wine education with games, prizes and vinyl beats – proof that hospitality can be social, spirited and unpretentious.
“Movie Nights came from my love of TV and film,” says Vinay Matta, owner. “I’d seen restaurants hosting trivia or jazz nights and thought – what’s something honest, authentic and a little different that I could do? Sharing movies and good food just felt natural. It’s something everyone connects over.”
The idea has clearly struck a chord. “The wine nights have been a real hit – we’ve sold out the last two,” he says. “There’s a great mix of people: young professionals, couples in their 50s, even students in their early 20s. That diversity keeps it interesting and gives each night its own energy.”
Matta says these events are part of a bigger picture – one where restaurants are becoming cultural spaces as much as culinary ones. “When you open a restaurant, you have to think beyond food and drink if you want to create a sustainable, exciting brand that truly connects with people,” he says.
“For me, it’s about the things I love – wine, music and movies. Collaborating with friends like Rasa and TITLE Bookstore keeps it authentic and community-driven. We’re even planning a Christmas party together – it’s all about bringing people in, making memories and celebrating the shared joy of hospitality.”
At Rasā House, culture is woven into each element – not a supporting act to the menu, but part of the experience itself. Whether it’s through cinema, supper or shared laughter, every event is designed to remind guests that dining at its best feeds more than appetite. It feeds connection.
Rasā House is located at 639B New South Head Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029.
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