14 May 2014

Stanley St Merchants: IconPark Temporary Residence Restaurant, Darlinghurst (13 May 2014)

78 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010


Stone the forager

"Our award-wining internationally renowned chef Matt Stone is bringing his own unique brand of locally foraged produce to your table. From honey harvested in Neutral Bay, to paper bark sourced on the streets of Marrickville, let us show you how good locally sourced food prepared with care can taste."

Stanley St Merchants have opened their IconPark crowdfunded restaurant space this week and take temporary residence for the next 3 months as Season 1 champions. I popped by to check out the space and tried the Angasi Rock Oysters, finger lime ($5 each) which were large with good flavour from the natural brine. The Beef & Kim Chi Sesame Bun ($6) was tender beef tongue on a soft brioche style bun. Flavour combination was nice although I was expecting a chilli kick from the kim chi which wasn't particularly noticeable. Diners sitting next to me grabbing an afternoon cake fix let me try their Charcoal toasted marshmallow, ryeberries, flowers and ants ($10). Yes ants are sprinkled on top of this fine looking dessert and give it pops of citrus. Upstairs seating is still to be finished off which will help accommodate the crowds already flocking to this place. Service was efficient, friendly and switched-on. Menu looks interesting and adds something different to the dining scene for Sydney punters. For a quick take away fix there's house made cakes, cookies and muffins to tempt you at the door entrance — their Fresh Fruit & Baked Custard Tart looked pretty good.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Interesting menu, Locally sourced and foraged produce, Switched-on service, Buzzing atmosphere
CONS: Only open for 3 months so get in quick if you want to try, Upstairs still to open
MUST TRY: Angasi Rock Oyster with finger lime
VERDICT: Seems like a pretty cool addition to East Sydney
Real napkins make for a nice touch
Check out the size of these Angasi Rock Oysters compared to my slider 
Angasi Rock Oysters, finger lime ($5 each) — large size, enjoyable flavour combination with the noticeable brine, lasting flavour finish
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Beef & Kim Chi Sesame Bun ($6) — tender tongue, soft bun, nice flavour combination, was expecting more chilli kick from the kim chi though
WORTH TRYING :-) 


Those black things are the ants in the Charcoal toasted marshmallow, ryeberries, flowers and ants ($10) — I tried a bit offered by other diners sitting next to me, I thought was quite nice
Ants in the dessert
They even have kim chi as a side for breakfast
Angasi rock oysters — yes please!

Charcoal Toasted Marshmallow comes with ants



Aperitif options
These look pretty good 






St Ali Coffee in da house 




Meet and greet
Afternoon tea takeaway
Upstairs and downstairs
Extra seating upstairs still to be finished
Toilet taps and sink






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Stanley Street Merchants on Urbanspoon

5 comments:

Sara | Belly Rumbles said...

I am hoping to get down there. Food is looking good.

Annie said...

must remember to pop down there before it's too late. very intriguing to see ants on the menu though...

Milktea Eats said...

those oysters are massive! the menu looks really pretty!

Tina@foodboozeshoes said...

Good to see the daytime cafe perspective - dinner was quite excellent.

Simon Leong said...

hi sara, keep me posted what you try.

hi annie, sometimes ants are on the dishes but not on the menu too hehe

hi amy, great size for sure and lots of flavour

hi tina, i much prefer photographing during the day too :-)

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