Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay West
The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.jamessquire.com.au/brewhouses/the-squires-landing/
https://www.instagram.com/thesquireslanding
Beer with a harbour view
Great spot to enjoy a beer at this prime location with a view of the harbour bridge and opera house — when the cruise ships aren't docked. Enjoyed the James Squire The Swindler Tropical Pale ($6.50) for half a pint and there's plenty more to choose from on the taps. Freshly shucked oysters, natural, mignonette dressing, lemon ($4) were from Clyde River, Batemans Bay. Shucked to order as hoped with excellent brine retained for the win. No small fork for the oysters and spoon for the mignonette so hopefully they'll be part of the cutlery set in time. The James Squire Beer Battered Fish & Chips - Dory, chunky chips, salad, tartare, lemon ($28) had a nice crisp batter using One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale and a generous serving of two pieces of fish. Chips were fairly crispy and the accompanying salad seemed undressed or perhaps just very light in dressing flavour. A squeeze of lemon helped to make it better. The tartare could benefit from a more punchy kick of capers and gherkins for my liking to make it extra special. Service was friendly and helpful and there's heaps of seating to accomodate large groups both inside and out. Returning later that evening for the official launch event the cruise ship had thankfully left dock allowing a great view of the Sydney Opera House. Well located for a Vivid Sydney watering hole as well.
Balcony Level 1, Wheat Rd, Cockle Bay Wharf
Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.blackbirdcafe.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/blackbirdcafesydney/
Express lunch menu
This place has certainly stood the test of time since my last review visit 9 year ago. The menu isn't cheap for this touristy located bar but the express lunch specials 11.30am – 5pm seems to be a better deal which includes a house beer or wine. Grilled Barramundi, chips, side of lemon and aioli with rocket ($18 express lunch special) had nicely cooked fish with a generous portion of 2 pieces and crispy chips. The undressed rocket and lonely cherry tomato could perhaps be more interesting with a bit of dressing and some extra tomatoes to make up a decent side salad. Friends that had the Asian burger - slow cooked pork belly, hoisin sauce, sliced cucumber, lettuce and Kimchi on betroot [beetroot] bun ($17) seemed pretty happy with it although we were all wondering about the 'beetroot bun' as it looked like a normal bun to us with no hint of purple in its colour. Service was friendly and there's waterviews to be had of Darling Harbour. Lots of seating suitable for large group bookings.
2 Bligh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.barrafina.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/barrafinasydney/
Monday Seafood Paella Special
“The phrase 'Barrafina' is Spanish in origin and translates to ‘long bar’ in English. The name was derived from our concept of sitting at a long bar in Spain where customers can view their meals being made and to watch the ‘theatre’ of the kitchen at work, where shared dining and experiencing multiple flavours from shared plates occurs, common to the lively hubs of food creativity in Las Ramblas of Barcelona and in the North of Spain, most notably San Sebastian.”
I've always liked the food here that caters well for those loving to share dishes. The Monday special of Seafood Paella sounded pretty good for $20. First they serve up a charcuterie board of jamon serano, Spanish salami, olives and pan con tomato. Love the big olives they use. Cured meats were nice. Wash downed with an Estrella Spanish beer on tap that's included in the price, or a glass of wine if you prefer. Seafood paella comes with chorizo, saffron rice, black mussel, prawn, calamari. Nice deveined prawns and a tasty rice underneath which is more a dry style than wet. The seafood seems to be added to the rice base rather than being cooked with it. A squeeze of lemon goes a long way with bring the dish together on the palate. Service was friendly and efficient.
