The Pacific Club, Bondi Beach (22 Sept 2018)

182 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
https://www.thepacificclub.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/thepacificclubbondibeach/

Bondi's new bistro looking good

It's always a promising sign for me when oysters are served shucked to order with all their natural brine. Oysters ($4.50) from Pambula are well presented and achieve my happy place. I also tried the 'The Nut Cracker' cocktail with Macadamia oil washed Tanqueray, Herbs de Provence Vermouth, lemon myrtle ($19). Quite nice, a bit different,  a bit unusual. Would love to see more Aussie artisan gins on their menu besides the usual suspects since the food menu and chef seem to be focussing on native ingredients as a theme. Decor is looking great including the opalescent toilet floor tiles and the fiery coals in the kitchen makes for a wonderful centrepiece. Service friendly and a menu that deserves a revisit I think. Especially anything that's cooked on those coals.

Macelleria, Bondi Beach (7 May 2017)

g09/180 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
http://www.macelleria.com.au
https://twitter.com/macelleriabondi
https://www.instagram.com/macelleria_australia/

Meat market in Bondi

This place was pumping for an early Sunday dinner service. Greeted with an impressive display of cut meats I wasn't quite sure of the procedure to dine in so asked a waiting takeaway customer. Everyone queues up to order first and then after you pay they aim to find a seat for you even though many of the available tables had reserved signs on them. I got the 'Formaggio' with 100% Cape Grim Angus Beef Pattie, Cheddar, Pickles, Onion, Ketchup and Mustard ($9.90). It's a nice soft old school bun but I thought way too much out of proportion for the size of the smaller pattie and I suspect it's to accommodate for larger sized burger fillings although I don't think it quite works for the humble cheeseburger option as well as it should. The pattie meat itself quite nice and tasty although it's shaped more like a rissole than a pattie. Cheese is tasty but could benefit from being more melty. There was also shredded cheese on the bottom which I think tasted a bit like parmesan but it's not listed on the menu so perhaps it's cheddar. Presentation wise looked very much like what you'd make at home. I got a side of Rustic Potato Fries ($4.90 regular) which were good. Fairly crispy and nice flavour. They go well with the Sweet Baby Ray's Hickory & Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce on the table. Service was friendly and efficient. Cool decor and setup. The cheeseburger needs more refinement for my liking though.

Harry's, Bondi (11 Sept 2016)

2/136 Wairoa Ave, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
http://harrysbondi.com.au

When Harry Met Bondi

“Harry’s Bar & Dining does its best to honour locally sourced produce by creating honest and elegant fare and using fresh and organic ingredients where possible. The menus created by Chef, Bryan O’Callaghan reflect the availability of produce, incorporating house made items and unique flavours, allowing all elements to shine.”

Every time I've driven past this cafe it's always been busy and today was no exception. Parking in Bondi is more than a challenge and the Festival of the Winds combined with the Sunday Markets made it extra tricky in finding a spot within the same postcode. Service is switched on and needs to be to keep up with the popularity. They're pretty friendly as well. Golden Latte ($5) with house-made almond milk, tumeric, ginger, honey was very nice and had a sort of almost carrot taste to it for me. @plus1guest was pretty happy with his Latte ($4) and the Purple Reign Smoothie ($9.50) with lots of healthy blueberries, banana, almond milk and tahini. 

Ricotta Hotcakes (menu states allow 15 mins) with blueberries, double cream, lemon balm & maple ($18) is probably one of Sydney's most instagrammed hotcakes. So pretty and a yummy soft moist hotcake although they should say Hotcake not Hotcakes on the menu. Would have loved a bit more maple syrup on the side to pour over. They say allow 15 mins but took over 30 mins so keep in mind when they're really busy. Coconut Chia Pudding ($18) with house-made granola & berries was well-presentated. Very nice granola although I found it too dry overall as a dish and would have preferred with a cup of milk or yoghurt to add some much needed moisture or even some juicy poached pears or caramelised peaches would work really well to help lubricate the palate. We had a 30+ mins wait today for a table but next time I'll have to remember you can book via dimmi to hopefully save some time.