La Bodeguita Del Medio: Cuban Restaurant & Bar, CBD Sydney (19 Oct 2011)

125 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.lbdm.com.au

Rum your way into Cuba

Thanks to Tony Maia (Venue Manager) of La Bodeguita Del Medio for inviting me as a guest to sample some of the dishes by Head Chef Danny Parreno and a few rum-based cocktails from the bar. You can’t go too wrong with the Mojito ($14) which is probably what LBDM are best known for but the Blood & Sand ($16) had well-balanced flavours which I probably enjoyed even more. The Ernest's Breakfast ($17) was pretty strong on the alcohol, the Clover Club ($16) was more subtle and the Nacional ($15) had fruity overtones. For a selection of cured meats the Embutidos ($22) did the trick. The chorizo was very spicy although I couldn’t work out where the pickles were as listed on the menu. The Half shell scallops, queso fresco & lime dressing ($21) were covered with plenty of topping which probably made the scallop secondary in the dish. The Empanadas ($17) of slow cooked oxtail were quite good although I would have loved the pastry to be a bit thinner to appreciate the filling more. A favourite for me was the Taro croquettes served with aji de gallina sauce ($15) which were very tasty and cooked with a crunchy shell. The Peruvian style ceviche ($15) was also very good although I would have loved a bit more salsa on top of the dish. The Ropa vieja ($24) seemed pricey but the braised lamb neck had good flavour and tenderness.

I was impressed with the amount of meat in the Langostino ($42) although the vanilla sauce was quite unusual and maybe an acquired taste for some to appreciate including myself. The chocolate sauce in the Pato con chocolate ($36) was noticeable yet subtle enough to still appreciate the duck flavour from the meat. My favourite main was the Bife Ancho 400g ($37) of tender and flavoursome meat helped along with house made condiments for extra taste bud enjoyment. I wasn’t a fan of the Tostones ($8) which I found a bit dry and tasteless although the accompanying Cuban aioli was really nice and actually went well with my potatoes on the steak dish. For dessert I mostly enjoyed the mocha dome in the Café y caramelo ($14) but didn’t really enjoy the salted caramel ice cream and would have preferred just a simple vanilla ice cream instead. The La Lechera ($14) was quite rich in flavours although I found the shape of the chocolate swirl a little disconcerting and unappealing — perhaps a quenelle shape instead. For afters a selection of the bartenders and waiters rum choices were offered. My preferred out of the three sampled was the El Dorado 12 YO ($13) which I found more drinkable over the Diplomatico Reserva ($12) and Havana Club Barrel Proof ($16.50) for my innocent rum palate.

Other visits to La Bodeguita Del Medio: 
• 19 Oct 2011 – Guest review of food and drinks 
• 16 June 2011 – Mojitos and rum cocktails

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Lively atmosphere, Interesting and cosy décor, Friendly service (Lisa), Live entertainment although makes it quite loud, Extensive rum menu

CONS: It's hard to stop at just one cocktail in this place, Probably best to book ahead for a table as they seem to be quite popular

MUST TRY: Mojito, Blood & Sand cocktail, Taro croquettes, Ropa Vieja, Bife Ancho 400g

—

Table setting

Mojito ($14), Blood & Sand ($16), Ernest's Breakfast ($17), La Bodeguita Nojito ($6.50)

Clover Club ($16), Nacional ($15)

Mary Pickfair mocktail version: Pineapple juice, Maraschino liqueur served Martini style ($6)

2010 Santa Ines Savignon Blanc, Chile ($8.50), 2009 Altozano Tempranillo Castilla, Spain ($8), 2008 Perez Cruz Reserva Cabernet Maipo Valley, Chile ($12)

Embutidos: A selection of cured meats, arrollado & pickles ($22)

Vieiras Cubanas: Half shell scallops, queso fresco & lime dressing ($21) 

Empanadas de carne con pebre: Slow cooked oxtail with tomato salsa ($17)

Croquetas de malanga - Taro croquettes served with aji de gallina sauce ($15) 

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Ceviche del día: Peruvian style ceviche ($15) — would be great if served with something like prawn crackers to put on

WORTH TRYING :-)

Ropa vieja: Tomato & yoghurt braised lamb neck, Cuban rice with black bean vinaigrette ($24)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Langostino: Tropical lobster, baby leeks, watercress & vanilla sauce ($42)

Pato con chocolate: Duck breast, sweet potato & spinach croquants & chocolate sauce ($36)

Sudado de Pescado: Market fish (Blue-eye Trevally), yucca, bugtail and roasted cherry tomatoes (MP) - seasonal scallops included, yucca replaced with potatoes

Tostones: Fried plantains with Cuban aioli ($8)

Bife Ancho 400g: 120-day grain fed dry age rib eye steak served with Rosemary & Garlic roasted potato & house made condiments ($37) 

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Café y caramelo: Mocha dome with candied peanuts & salted caramel ice cream ($14) 

La Lechera: A classic ... LBDM style ($14)

El Dorado 12 YO, Guyana ($13)

WORTH TRYING :-) 

Diplomatico Reserva, Venezuela ($12) 

Havana Club Barrel Proof, Cuba ($16.50)

Head Chef Danny Parreno (middle) with kitchen team 

Rum Tasting Sets 

Mojito time = Good time

Musicians — pretty loud though for talking over

View Larger Map