Barrafina: Seafood Paella, CBD Sydney (17 Oct 2016)

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.

Avido Restaurant and Wine Garden: Jump On It Menu, Paddington (30 Dec 2010)

438 Oxford Street, Paddington NSW 2021

http://www.avido.com.au

CLOSED FEB 2012

Italian for unbounded craving

A real taste sensation for just $35 including a charcuterie board, cheese board and two glasses of sparkling wine, normally $72!

A Jump On It deal entices me to check out this nicely decorated restaurant with very noticeable Sarah Parkes rope art hanging from the ceiling. The deal included 3 types of quality cheeses on the Old Telegraph Road cheese board with crackers, pear chutney and guava paste ($25) and a Charcuterie board ($28) of finely sliced prosciutto, salamis and a rustic pork rillettes which went well with the sour dough. The platter included some pickled cucumbers which was a good match rather than caper berries as mentioned on the menu. The glass of House Sparkling was very nice and light to drink. I also tried the Tempura zucchini flowers ($18) which were stuffed with a creamy filling of ricotta, mushrooms and black truffle salsa. It's quite rich yet tasty and the tempura is perfectly cooked with a crisp crunchy coating as hoped. A refreshing 2009 Baby Doll Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ ($9) seems reasonably priced. Arriving at the 6 pm to be the only table sitting during the Christmas season felt a little quiet but it meant the dishes came out in a reasonable time. Around the same time I noticed the strong rays of the sunset where hitting some of the front dining room tables making them quite glary and hot so watch out for this when choosing your seat. Some of the service was friendly enough but I found the lady floor manager the most professional and welcoming of all. It's a place that leaves me wanting to try other dishes from the menu.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Nice decor, Garden courtyard at the back, Tempting dishes, Manager service was very good, Seems reasonably priced for the high quality

CONS: Potential sun glare during a late Summer afternoon

MUST TRY: Cheese board, Tempura zucchini flowers, More dishes from the menu

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Old Telegraph Road cheese board with crackers, pear chutney and guava paste ($25)

Charcuterie board: Selection of Pinos prosciutto, salamis, pork rillettes and house terrine with sour dough and caper berries ($28)

Pork rillette on sour dough

Tempura zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, mushrooms and black truffle salsa ($18)

House sparkling

2009 Baby Doll Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ ($9)

Menu

Seating and designer Sarah Parkes rope decor

6.15 pm sunlight reflection off signage into dining room

Garden courtyard at the back

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