http://www.facebook.com/DOCTORPONGSYDNEY
http://www.doctorpong.com.au
Last drinks for ping pong
With a name like Doctor Pong how could things go wrong but apparently Time Out reports it’s closing its doors on 30 April. It doesn’t really say why but I gather from the facebook rants and raves it’s probably due to the breach of council licensing laws. I guess everyone has to play by the rules for the safety of all who visit. I’ve only visited once but liked its quirky décor of wooden crates as tables, retro photo albums of family vacation shots and the famous ping pong table set in the middle of the bar which I never got to play. Doctor Pong was possibly one of the first bars to set the Sydney scene for the grunge-styling-anything-goes look but I don’t think they ever went as far as serving drinks in glass jars, which I’m thankful for.
Sharing plates seemed quite reasonably priced for a relaxed bar dining experience. The Antipasto of marinated vegetables, small goods and dips ($16) had a reasonable amount of variety and the Selection of cheeses with quince paste and bread ($16) was about what you’d expect to pay for 3 cheeses albeit quite small pieces. I quite liked the Salt & pepper calamari ($16) but didn’t visually like the squid ink aioli which looked like black paint and didn’t really have a discernable taste — give me a squeeze of lemon and garlic aioli any day. I thought the presentation of the Chargrilled haloumi with asparagus and olive tapenade ($16) was probably a bit overly creative but flavours were OK. The Duck liver pate with cornichons and toasts ($14) was smooth but the crowd favourite was the Hand cut chips with cab sav vinegar and mayo ($7) which were simply presented, rustic in shape and were cooked to a nice crunch.
Sharing plates seemed quite reasonably priced for a relaxed bar dining experience. The Antipasto of marinated vegetables, small goods and dips ($16) had a reasonable amount of variety and the Selection of cheeses with quince paste and bread ($16) was about what you’d expect to pay for 3 cheeses albeit quite small pieces. I quite liked the Salt & pepper calamari ($16) but didn’t visually like the squid ink aioli which looked like black paint and didn’t really have a discernable taste — give me a squeeze of lemon and garlic aioli any day. I thought the presentation of the Chargrilled haloumi with asparagus and olive tapenade ($16) was probably a bit overly creative but flavours were OK. The Duck liver pate with cornichons and toasts ($14) was smooth but the crowd favourite was the Hand cut chips with cab sav vinegar and mayo ($7) which were simply presented, rustic in shape and were cooked to a nice crunch.
SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
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PROS: Interesting and quirky décor, Relaxed atmosphere, Table Tennis, Backgammon, Retro photo albums, Art on the wall
CONS: Closing 30 April 2011 for those who love this place
MUST TRY: Having a final drink out of one of those Red Cups
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Antipasto of marinated vegetables, small goods and dips ($16)
Salt & pepper calamari with squid ink aoili and herb fritters ($16)
Selection of cheeses with quince paste and bread ($16)
Chargrilled haloumi with asparagus and olive tapenade ($16)
Duck liver pate with cornichons and toasts ($14)
Menu
Table tennis anyone?
A spot of backgammon anyone?
A wooden crate box makes for a perfect table
Retro photo albums
Bar
Looking in
Looking out
Restaurant seating and art
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4 comments:
This is so cool! Shame that it's closing
aw man it's the first ive heard about this bar shame it's closing i would love to play some ping pong!
Maybe flavour-wise the dishes didn't deliver but they do look good. A shame I won't be able to make it before they close.
hi missklicious, i'm sure they'll be opening something else up in due course
hi chocolatesuze, the only other place i've seen ping pong is at a leagues club i think
hi lateraleating, sadly no more for a lot of fans
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