Bar H: Seasonal Produce, Surry Hills (22 Sept 2011)

80 Campbell Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

http://www.barhsurryhills.com

H is for Seasonal

Bar H has certainly made the old Wall Cafe site their own in a good way with a nice chic look and inviting space. Chef Hamish Ingham aims to highlight seasonal produce through the menu which is always a good thing. The Sashimi of stripped trumpeter (instead of Kingfish) with pickled mushroom ($16) had nice flavours and presented well and the trumpeter seemed to have a firmer texture than kingfish for me. The Braised beef short rib on sesame leaf ($6.50 each) were more than a mouthful and seemed to work well as a tasty treat albeit a little messy on the fingers if you're not careful. The Scallops on the half shell with blackbean and chilli ($5 each) were small but flavoursome and the Steamed pork wontons with shellfish and chilli oil dressing ($3 each) became a favourite of mine for their flavour and freshness. While having food envy for the Caramelised beef short rib with fennel salad served with rice ($17) spotted on another table I unfortunately wasn't a fan of the Raw calamari salad with yam bean & coriander ($16). I didn't mind the yam bean but the texture and taste of the raw calamari wasn't for me and I'm now a believer that calamari tastes better when cooked like the cuttlefish salad I very much enjoyed at Bloodwood. To help cleanse my palate of the raw calamari the Ginger custard with lime syrup ($10) hit the spot with refreshing flavours. I loved the candied ginger on top of the dish although overall it was quite a sweet dessert so the small portion was more than enough.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Service was professional and friendly, Interesting menu focuses on seasonal produce, Flavoursome dishes, Nice decor

CONS: Raw calamari didn't work for me so I wish I got the Caramelised beef short rib instead, Stool seating can get a bit uncomfortable after a while

MUST TRY: Steamed pork wontons with shellfish and chilli oil dressing

VERDICT: A tempting menu that seems reasonably priced for the quality and flavour suitable for a nicer than average lunch catchup

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Sashimi of stripped trumpeter (instead of Kingfish) with pickled mushroom ($16)

WORTH TRYING :-) 

Braised beef short rib on sesame leaf ($6.50 each)

Scallops on the half shell with blackbean and chilli ($5 each)

Steamed pork wontons with shellfish and chilli oil dressing ($3 each) 

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Raw calamari salad with yam bean & coriander ($16) — Wasn't a fan of this dish

Ginger custard with lime syrup ($10)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Caramelised beef short rib with fennel salad served with rice ($17) — Spotted on another table and must try next time if available

Menu

What does H stand for?

Chef Hamish Ingham (sorry about the deer in the headlights shot)

Nice flowers = nice touch

Table for six

Nice unisex toilet

Room with a street view

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