03 July 2013

Bondi Hardware: Winter Menu Launch, Bondi Beach (1 July 2013)

39 Hall Street, Bondi Beach NSW 2026


Sharing the hardware love

Thanks to Olivia Warne from Pendulum Communications for inviting me to the launch of the winter menu at Bondi Hardware. Uber transport was provided to and from the restaurant which was very much appreciated with all the cocktails and Howard Park matching wines on offer. The high-end car and service was much nicer than your standard taxi although expect to pay a bit more for the luxury. I really like how the Uber app shows you how long the driver will be and where they actually are on the map — very cool and informative. Welcome cocktails of Hardware Fizz and The Flower Doctor were both refreshing and enjoyable. There were plenty of tasty canapes before sitting down to our pre-determined spots for a four course sharing menu. 

The Albacore tuna ceviche had enjoyable flavours although proved a little bit of a challenge to eat on a lotus root crisp filled with holes. Was nicely washed down with the 2012 Great Southern Riesling. The Notorious P.I.G arrives with 4 pieces of roasted pork belly easy to share. Pork was cooked well and the dish flavours worked well together. Suitably matched with the 2011 Flint Rock Pinot Noir. Braised beef cheek was melt-in-your-mouth and a good match for the robust 2011 Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon. I always love a good crumble and the Apple & rhubarb crumble hit the spot for a wintery night. The menu listed vanilla ice cream although it seemed to be more of a crème anglaise. I'm more a fan of ice cream with my crumble. The Warm Mulled Batlow Cider with Captain Morgan Spiced Gold Rum was a highlight for me with well-balanced flavours. Hopefully they'll add it to the cocktail menu during winter. I could have happily finished the night there although presented with the opportunity to try the Prawn pizza tempted me. Decent sized prawns matched with garlic, chilli, baby spinach and lemon was very good although beware of the whole roasted garlic cloves unless you're protecting yourself from vampires.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Buzzing atmosphere, Nice event cocktails and tasty dishes, Enjoyable matching wines, Friendly and helpful staff
CONS: Parking can be very hard to find in the area, Very popular at the end of the week so best to make a reservation to avoid disappointment, If you have a fear of hardware tools then it's best to avoid this place
MUST TRY: Warm Mulled Batlow Cider if they put it on the menu, Revisiting to try other dishes
VERDICT: A smoothly run launch event that highlighted some enjoyable dishes and wickedly good cocktails that tempts me to plan a revisit with friends. I'll be keeping the Uber app for emergencies.
Uber transport provided to and from the restaurant — much nicer than a taxi 
The Flower Doctor cocktail — refreshingly good 
Dos Equis beer, The Flower Doctor, Hardware Fizz 
Baked ricotta skewers 

Crab crostini

Crumbed goats chèvre and herb stuffed mushrooms 



Winter Launch Menu 
Howard Park 2012 Great Southern Riesling
Cheers with our fellow diners 
Albacore tuna ceviche with roasted garlic, chilli, marjoram, pomegranante & lotus root 
Howard Park Margaret River 2011 Flint Rock Pinot Noir  
The Notorious P.I.G; 4 succulent pieces of roasted pork belly with pureed and candied apple & mushy minted peas ($20) 
Roasted beetroot salad with goats curd, eschallot, shallots & beetroot reduction 
Howard Park Margaret River 2011 Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon 
Braised beef cheek, pickled Enoki mushrooms, horseradish mascarpone, jus & watercress 
Apple & rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream — very nice although the 'ice cream' seems more like a crème anglaise
Warm Mulled Batlow Cider with Captain Morgan Spiced Gold Rum
SIMON FAVOURITE :-) 

Cheers to warm mulled Batlow cider 
Prawn with garlic, chilli, baby spinach & lemon ($20) — supper time. Good flavours although includes plenty of garlic so you might smell like a garlic clove in the morning
Nice way to present the cutlery 
Speech time — welcome, eat, drink and be happy! 
Eugene Casey from Young & Rashleigh Wine Merchants 
Head Chef Dion Green at the kitchen helm 
Annabel Langbein 
Friendly service with Bondi smiles
Me and the +1 guests 
Luke Hines and Scott Gooding from My Kitchen Rules 
Florencia Bonet-Pyke and Lynette Bolton

Tom Steinfort (far left), Marni Ewing, Rochelle Fox 
Bondi's craftiest bar & restaurant 









This table is a little scary 
Official photographer 
Batlow Cider and Vale Pale Ale on tap 
Tequila options 


Uber transport — help yourself to the tissues, water and lollies 



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Bondi Hardware on Urbanspoon

4 comments:

Nic@diningwithastud said...

Simon! You are the selfie king :D this looks like such a great event! I have heard fab things about BH so need to get my butt down there!

Simon Leong said...

hi nic, practice makes perfect, and a strong left hand when holding a DSLR with a flash unit on top :-)

matt @ planmb said...

photos look amazing esp in the dark! food looks pretty good too

Anonymous said...

that chick in white is amazing WOW

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