For reasons as yet revealed my friends have taken it upon themselves to make sure that while in Sydney, I eat and drink as much as I possibly can and pay for none of it! I regret that it probably has something to do with the fact that they all subscribe to this blog and are therefore aware of my pitiful financial position back in London... I promise any posts that comment on my money (or lack of it) are written for their entertainment value and not by any means to make this a forum for woe-is-me.
But so it is, that last night I met with a girlfriend at Opera Bar (possibly Sydney's most stunning harbour drinking hole) and enjoyed a bottle of sauvignon blanc before we headed back up to her work - she's front of house at ARIA - to be schmoozed by her colleagues and stuffed like olives.
Our entrees and mains were ordered with ease (and chosen with careful thought to the size of our bellies) only for the kitchen to lavish us with the attention of a European grandmother eager to feed... so that one entree each became three and later an intended shared dessert morphed into two, to be chased by devilish petit fours! Thanks to the personal attention of sommelier Matt Dunn, our meal was showered with wine to match each dish. We were totally spoilt.
With taste buds tantalised and our blood alcohol levels rising our conversation turned girly, a little loud with lots of laughing and talk of old-loves and future conquests. Panoramic harbour views, good food and great company... Sydney really is the place to be.
Our Menu
pan friend scallops with sweet corn puree, cauliflower beignet and a caper and sultana dressing $42
terrine of rabbit cassoulet with pickled onions and grain mustard $38
a cigar of goat curd with a salad of pickled beetroot and an apple and hazelnut pesto $38
western australian scampi wrapped in tunisian brick pastry and served with gremolata $40
***
castricum roasted lamb rack with confit neck, cavolo nero, beans, lemon confit and black olive tapenade $54
poached beef fillet with braised silverside, bone marrow, condiments and beef consommé $56
truffled potato mash $15
mixed leaf salad $12
***
pedro ximenez ice cream with marinated raisins and orange $22mango and passionfruit turnovers with banana ice cream $24
ARIA Restaurant
1 Macquarie St East Circular Quay Sydney 2000
Tel: +61 2 9252 2555
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