Simon Food Favourites: 7/1/12

30 July 2012

Fix St James: Wine Bar & Restaurant, CBD Sydney (6, 27 July 2012)

111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.fixstjames.com.au

Steaking out a protein fix

A casual catchup with Tony Hollingsworth brings me back to Fix St James who first recommended the restaurant to me for their steaks. We start with some Sydney Rock Oysters ($4 each) from Port Stephens which were freshly shucked with a decent amount of brine as hoped. I would have loved a bit of champagne vinaigrette for the price though. We're tempted by the Greenstone Chateaubriand with Wild Mushrooms ($80) for our protein fix which was very tender with good flavour although sets you back a pretty penny. Can be shared between two but a hungry person could probably finish it by themselves and feel fully satisfied. It matched very well with a glass of Ulithorne 'Frux Frugis' Shiraz, McLaren Vale SA 2005 ($23). It was a very expensive drop but very good with minimal tannin and good flavour. A side of Hand cut chips ($9) were nicely cooked with a crisp outer and soft centre and helped make the steak dish a meal. Feeling quite full we stretched the budget to enjoy a Choc Nut Truffle ($2.50 each) with rich tasting quality chocolate although I've never been a fan of the dusted chocolate on truffles for some reason. The excellent thin pastry of the Chocolate Tart with Star Anise Ice Cream ($15) reminded me of the one I had at Bird Fish Cow. I was expecting a similar rich chocolate filling but it was more a light chocolate mousse filling. The ice cream was very good though.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Friendly and efficient service, Quality ingredients, Nice wines, Buzzing atmosphere

CONS: Can get very expensive depending on what you order

MUST TRY: Greenstone Chateaubriand with Wild Mushroom
VERDICT: A good place for those looking for a business lunch with decent steak and quality wine

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Ulithorne 'Frux Frugis' Shiraz, McLaren Vale SA 2005 ($23 glass)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Bread (complimentary)

Sydney Rock Oysters ($4 each)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Greenstone Chateaubriand with Wild Mushrooms ($80)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Hand cut chips ($9)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Choc Nut Truffle ($2.50 each)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Chocolate Tart with Star Anise Ice Cream ($15)

Wines by the glass

Dessert and cheese menu

Bill $179 for two

Revisit (27 July 2012)

A casual catchup with friends brings me back to Fix St James keen to order their Coorong Angus Skirt Steak Tagliata ($33) again which I enjoyed for the first time back in November 2011. This time there seemed to be a more substantial amount of steak underneath which I could hardly finish but it was pretty tender as hoped. The fresh rocket on top is a good match with the dish and the crispier potatoes are cooked more to my liking this time around. A glass of Abbotts & Delaunay, Cotes du Roussillon, France, 2010 ($12) matched well on the palate. Sydney Rock Oysters ($48 dozen) came at a premium price but are always enjoyable although were unfortunately missing much of their prized brine I was hoping for compared to last time. A complimentary Smoked Eel & Pyengana Twice Baked Soufflé ($22) had nice creamy flavours with noticeable smokiness from the eel giving it an extra depth of flavour. I enjoyed sitting at the front of the restaurant which seems to have more cosy atmosphere compared to at the back raised dining area. Service was friendly and efficient yet again.

Abbotts & Delaunay, Cotes du Roussillon, France, 2010 ($12)

Sydney Rock Oysters ($48 dozen)

Smoked Eel & Pyengana Twice Baked Soufflé ($22)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Coorong Angus Skirt Steak Tagliata ($33)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Bill $176 for three

Winter warmer special: main course, glass of wine and coffee for $35

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27 July 2012

The Baxter Inn: Whisky & Wine Bar, CBD Sydney (26 July 2012)

Basement, 152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.thebaxterinn.com/home

A whisky lovers paradise

“Absolutely no bookings, no doorlist, no functions — everyone is welcome.”

The Baxter Inn has been on my wish list since it opened after hearing many good things about the place. The first challenge when visiting was working out where it actually was. Make sure you take good note of the address or you'll question where it is and start asking the hairdresser next door for directions as I did. Walk down through the arched laneway, turn right at the end, then head to the far right corner where you'll find a doorway that leads down a flight of stairs and head through the unmarked door past the empty kegs. I think this might be Sydney's answer to Melbourne's The Croft Institute in terms of being very well-hidden from unsuspecting pedestrian traffic although when busy I've heard long queues form which would expose the hidden entrance. My Pencillian cocktail ($17) of Scotch Whisky, lemon, honey and ginger served in a sours glass is quite strong with a decent taste of whisky. The flavours worked quite well together although I was more of a fan of my friend's Old Cuban cocktail ($17) made with rum, mint, sparkling wine and lime served in a coupette glass. It had a nice balance of flavours and was very enjoyable to drink with a refreshing twist on the palate. There's a fair amount of seating in the bar but best to arrive early to grab a table and enjoy the quirky memorabilia and soft mood lighting.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Interesting decor and cosy atmosphere, Service seemed friendly and accommodating, Whisky lovers paradise

CONS: The website looks like it's more for a funeral parlour than a welcoming bar, Apparently gets very popular with long lines outside so arrive early, I didn't really notice a bar menu

MUST TRY: Old Cuban cocktail, Revisiting to try other cocktails

VERDICT: A very cosy and interesting bar that you could easily settle in for the night and enjoy their range of whisky and wines

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