You’ll find Chef Amber Doig steering the menu at Potts Point’s favourite celebrity hangout The Butler. They’ve hosted their share of big names over the years, from Margot Robbie to Rita Ora and Andrew Garfield, but over the last seven, Doig has brought her own culinary cool to the restaurant.
The venue itself has been operating as a restaurant for 70 years, but with New Zealand born Amber Doig leading the way in the kitchen, she’s brought her own culinary fusion to the table.
At the end of 2024, The Butler celebrated its milestone 10th anniversary, marked by the launch of Amber’s reimagined menu. The offering redefines contemporary dining through innovative Mexican seafood dishes inspired by the bold, layered flavours of Mexico City’s Polanco and Roma Norte districts. Each plate showcases the best of Australia’s coastline, paired with complex Mexican techniques and ingredients, resulting in food that is both sophisticated and deeply expressive.
Doig career began in Christchurch before she moved to Sydney at the age of 17 to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. She trained under some of Australia’s most respected culinary figures, including James Viles and Vanessa Martin and worked for many years at Piave in Balmain during Martin’s early, award-winning years.
Amber Doig spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
Ōtautahi – Christchurch, Aotearoa, NZ. My formative years influenced by those streets, plenty of stories of resilience, history, strength, beauty, arts, culture and community framed by the ocean, its peninsula, and our mountains. When I fly in over the alps and see the plains, I get butterflies.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
A pretty recent one, the entire meal was epic, but specifically, the roast duck at Lee Hoo Fook left me speechless. This was one of the best dishes I’ve ever had, the hushed whispers at the table when it was presented then shared and consumed was a memorable moment.
FAVOURITE BAR
Cantina OK. Intimate (Micro!) vibey, welcoming, service and quality driven. I usually try a mezcal that’s new to me or recommended by the staff, usually something weird, then I double park with whatever the OK special is, as it’s always good with an element of story and drama.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
I’d like to believe I’m like an Old Fashioned – straightforward and strong, but I am probably more like an Americano – a little bitter, may not make sense on paper but seems to work together well.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
A lazy trip to the Fish Markets. Sashimi, oysters, prawns, raw fish, some good fish and chips. Then pass away into a food coma, happily.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Savile Row, The Valley, Meanjin. Like a low-lit art gallery with a gargantuan back bar much like the New York State library. And it has a sliding ladder! Knowledge, passion, service and ambience, ultimate combo of doom.
OVERSEAS BAR
Chef Alex Stupak’s Empellon Al Pastor – corner of Avenue A and St Marks, NYC. My fave bar on earth, fun and welcoming staff, loud, graffiti over the walls and ceiling, random art, the best Margarita’s, and super cheap pony and shot. Plus, tacos, delicious ones.
FAVOURITE WINE
I am generally a spirit’s gal but am always bias to an Italian Barbera as a treat, a memorable one was Pio Cesare Barbera D’Alba.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Seresin winery, Marlborough. Organic, biodynamic, kind, passionate wine nerds, animals, and birds everywhere. Felt like I was in a natural ecosystem made especially for creating good wine.
NEXT DESTINATION
No set plans yet, but would love to visit New Orleans, Louisiana to immerse in culture, history, cuisine, the music and meets its people.
