The Rum Diaries: Cocktails and Sharing Menu, Bondi (24 Apr 2012)

288 Bondi Road, Bondi NSW 2026

http://www.therumdiaries.com.au

Rum and hide away in Bondi

Thanks to Briana Nowland (The Trish Nicol Agency) and Emily Sharpe (Re:Love Group) for inviting me as a guest to experience The Rum Diaries which had long been a place on my wish list when it was first recommended to me by a friend. Upon arriving there was only a few tables filled but by the end of night the place was buzzing with customers enjoying the live Tuesday night music. Passionate lovers of rum cocktails will certainly find enjoyment working their way through the cocktail menu. The El Presidente ($17.50) was smooth on the palate while the Zombie ($17.50) packed a lethal punch topped by a flaming passionfruit but the Old Cuban ($17.50) hit the taste spot for me as well as the The Maria ($17.50) which I preferred without the salted rim. For something to literally take your breath away go for The Rum Blazer ($19.50) which was both lethal and theatrical — just watch your eyebrows. Executive Chef Gerald Touchard has designed the menu with sharing in mind. The Bulgar wheat arancini with carrot hummus ($10.50) had good flavour and even though the Spiced beetroot ‘cupcake’ with coriander pesto ($10.50) was also flavoursome other dishes on the menu excited me more. The Tempura zucchini flower ($11.50) was my favourite with great flavour and crisp batter as hoped.

I felt the King fish ceviche with grapefruit mojito gel, crispy white radish ($16.50) needed larger crisps so the ceviche could have been arranged on top to perhaps eat together like a Mexican mini tostado. The Seared scallops with yuzu lemon puree, edamame bean and nashi pear salad ($17.50) was nicely cooked with flavours working well together although I wondered if I would have preferred the pear to be shredded just a bit more thinly. The flavours in the Crispy skin pork belly with tonka bean cloud, sour rhubarb puree & coriander gremolata ($18.50) worked well together although the crackling could have been just a bit more crunchy for my liking to cut more easily. Rum smoked barramundi, vanilla and onion puree, celery bulgar wheat ($24.50, 3 pieces) could be considered expensive but had a lovely smokiness with flavours also working together well. The Chickpea Jenga tower with paprika aioli ($8.50) was richer than I expected and felt the House salad ($7.50) needed more dressing — something like a creamy ranch style dressing would have been great.

I would have preferred the Slow cooked duck ($31.50) without the mushrooms but the duck was cooked well — perhaps some sautéed kelp or spinach underneath the duck instead of the mushrooms and autumn vegetables to keep it simple? I really enjoyed the flavours in the Slow roast lamb ($25.50) which had tender meat but I didn't think it needed the pastry on the bottom and a bit more of a great tasting black olive oil would have been appreciated. I sometimes find deconstructed dishes a bit awkward to eat when you’re trying to get a bit of everything on your fork which was the challenge with the Banana cream with smoked salt caramel, spiced pineapple tapioca and ginger beer jelly ($13.50). The Chocolate marquise, OP rum and allspice Chantilly with orange sparkle dust ($14.50) had a rich chocolate flavour although I found trying to breathe in the sparkle dust a bit awkward and perhaps gimmicky and thought having it just incorporated on side of cake would have made it more easier to eat and to appreciate all the flavours in one go. The décor was certainly cosy and full of character and don’t be put off by the red lights outside, you’re in good hands once inside and the drinks will certainly keep you warm on a cold night and you might find some of dishes will challenge your tastebuds in a good way.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Well-made cocktails, Live music on Tuesday nights, Dishes are quite easy to share, Interesting menu and flavour combinations, Cosy atmosphere and decor 

CONS: I found some dishes a little over complicated but the simpler dishes worked better for me, It could be an expensive night out depending on how hungry you are and what you order

MUST TRY: Tempura zucchini flower, Old Cuban cocktail, The Maria cocktail, The Rum Blazer cocktail for the theatrics

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Cucumber flavoured table water

Gin Martini ($17.50?), Mojito: Havanna Club Blanco, lime, mint, sugar and bitters ($17.50)

El Presidente: Matusalem Platino, french vermouth, orange curaçao and grenadine ($17.50) 

Zombie: Rum Diaries’ Zombie mix, Grenadine, passionfruit, grapefruit, lemon and lime juices ($17.50)

Hemingway Special: Havana Club Blanco, maraschino liqueur, grape fruit and lime juices ($17.50)  

Old Cuban: Bacardi 8, house spice syrup, lime, mint & bitters shaken and finished with sparkling wine ($17.50) 
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

The Maria: Bacardi 8yr Aged Rum, Cointreau, Licor 43 (Vanilla Liquer), Fresh Lime & rum salt half-rim ($17.50) — prefer without salted rim
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

The Maria: Bacardi 8yr Aged Rum, Cointreau, Licor 43 (Vanilla Liquer), Fresh Lime & rum salt half-rim ($17.50) 
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

The Rum Blazer ($19.50) 
WORTH TRYING :-)

The making of The Rum Blazer

Letting the The Rum Blazer cool down

Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2010, Italy ($42)  

Executive Chef Gerald Touchard 

Bulgar wheat arancini with carrot hummus ($10.50) - good flavour 

Spiced beetroot ‘cupcake’ with coriander pesto ($10.50) - flavoursome although probably wouldn't order again as too beetroot in flavour 

Tempura zucchini flower stuffed with halloumi, pine nuts & pomegranate vinaigrette ($11.50) 
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

King fish ceviche with grapefruit mojito gel, crispy white radish ($16.50)

Seared scallops with yuzu lemon puree, edamame bean and nashi pear salad ($17.50) 
WORTH TRYING :-)

Crispy skin pork belly with tonka bean cloud, sour rhubarb puree & coriander gremolata ($18.50) 
WORTH TRYING :-) 

Rum smoked barramundi, vanilla and onion puree, celery bulgar wheat ($24.50, 3 pieces) 
WORTH TRYING :-) 

Chickpea Jenga tower with paprika aioli ($8.50)

House salad ($7.50)

Slow cooked duck with sautee wild mushrooms, autumn vegetables and mandarin jus ($31.50) 

Slow roast lamb with tomato tart tatin, zucchini ribbons and black olive oil ($25.50) 
WORTH TRYING :-)

I didn't think it needed the pasty on base but a bit more black olive oil would have been great

Green beans with preserved lemon and toasted almonds ($7.50) 

Banana cream with smoked salt caramel, spiced pineapple tapioca and ginger beer jelly ($13.50)

Chocolate marquise, OP rum and allspice Chantilly with orange sparkle dust ($14.50)

A bit awkward and gimmicky to breathe in sparkle dust

Fine regional and imported cheese board with walnut bread, fig and port chutney ($20.50)

The story of rum ...

To nibble on, Entrees to share

Mains to share, Side dishes and Dessert

Degustation menu option

Wine list starts at $10.50 a glass

Your cocktail is in good hands with the bartender 

Toilet mirror reflection

A bit of reflective chic in the toilet. A nice flower arrangement would bring a bit of life and warmth to the room perhaps.

Watch out for the wooden pointy bit on the booth seat. Apart from being a little awkward to get in and out you may also get poked by it too.

1 year old candle — that's a lot of wax 

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