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

78 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

http://www.iconpark.com/stanleystmerchants

https://www.facebook.com/stanleymerchants

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

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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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Greenhouse by Joost: Revisiting for lunch, The Rocks (24 Feb 2011)

Circular Quay West, Sydney NSW 2000

Monday – Saturday: 7.30 am – Midnight; Sunday: 10 am – Midnight

Ends 28 March 2011

http://greenhousebyjoost.com

Last days before recycling

Greenhouse by Joost has certainly been talk of the town in the last month and for those of you lucky enough to try Chef Matt Stone's (picture above) dishes I hope you've found them as interesting and tasty as I have. Although I still prefer to eat my food with proper cutlery and plates instead of fragile plantation forks which can easily break under pressure and plywood made with possibly questionable glues suitable for human consumption. On my first visit the rooftop bar was still be finished but thankfully on this visit I can appreciate the amazing view it offers of the harbour and Sydney's notable landmarks. Menus are now printed to save service time in explaining what's available and the restaurants popularity is evident. Don't miss out if you haven't been yet, you only have til Monday I believe.

My Wagu [wagyu] beef gerello, green papaya, peanut, tamarind ($25) was excellent. Meat was tender as hoped and the balance of flavours throughout the dish was simple yet tasty. The Seared mullet, mixed tomato salad ($26) was again good and well liked with crispy skin and flavoursome tomatoes. The Pasta with anchovy, tomato, olives and fresh herbs ($22) was enjoyed very much although the Pizza with potato, caramelised onion, cheese and rocket ($15) was lacking something to make it more memorable although the base was very good. Freshly squeezed orange juice ($5) and Home made lemonade ($6) are both refreshing and served in glass jars for that uni student experience.

Other visits to Greenhouse by Joost:

• 24 Feb 2011 - Rooftop bar, Orange juice, Lemonade, Pasta, Pizza, Mullet, Wagu beef

• 15 Feb 2011 - Oysters, Fried spiced cauliflower, Pizza, Mullet, Watermelon Jelly, Coffee

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Promotion of eco friendly, sustainability and waste-free, Well-presented and tasty dishes, Seems reasonably priced for the quality, Water and landmark views

CONS: Plantation timber cutlery feels like running your nails on a blackboard inside your mouth, Water tasted a bit like wine from the reused wine bottle, Watch out for sharp and rough edges around seating, Service at times seemed bordering on "we're over this" attitude and a bit too relaxed with pockets of friendliness and attentiveness

MUST TRY: Wagu [wagyu] beef gerello with green papaya

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Rooftop bar panoramic view

Great views from the rooftop bar — although very sunny and bright during the day so evenings and night time would be more pleasurable

Sydney's smallest bar with best views — Small beer ($6), Large beer ($10). Little Creatures Pale Ale is a fruity refreshing choice.

Not what you want to see when arriving for lunch but the wait was worth it

Salt and pepper served in glass jar lids

Menu

Drinks menu

Water is served from reused wine bottles — unfortunately the lingering taste of wine is noticeable in the water

Freshly squeezed orange juice ($5), Home made lemonade ($6)

Wagu [wagyu] beef gerello, green papaya, peanut, tamarind ($25)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Plantation cutlery isn't quite up to cutting meat with a heavy hand

Seared mullet, mixed tomato salad ($26)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Pasta with anchovy, tomato, olives and fresh herbs ($22)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Pizza with potato, caramelised onion, cheese and rocket ($15)

Restaurant seating

Million dollar views watching the tall ship go by

Sugar cane and lemon for the homemade lemonade

Mens urinals unfortunately in full view of the toilet corridor — woman watch out and don't venture too far down the end of the cubicles

Greenhouse by Joost sits in a prime location

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