Simon Food Favourites: Chippendale

05 February 2012

The Duck Inn Pub & Kitchen: Beer Garden and Pub Bistro, Chippendale (20 Jan 2012)

74 Rose Street, Chippendale NSW 2008

http://theduckinnpubandkitchen.wordpress.com

A chip off the old duck

This trusty Chippendale local has certainly had a face-lift since the days when it used to serve up a pretty decent BBQ Beef Ribs. I like the decor update and the lounge area looks like a nice spot to settle in for a lazy afternoon. The main attraction though on a sunny day is the beer garden surrounded by a fair amount of greenery to make you think you're somewhere a bit more distant from home or work for that matter. The La Vielle Ferme Rosé, Cotes du Ventoux, France ($7.50) and White Rabbit ($6.50) aren't too pricey I guess for a satisfying thirst quencher. The Pan Fried Atlantic Salmon ($24) from the specials menu had a nice salad combination of quinoa, celery, cucumber, lemon and fresh herbs. The fish was well-cooked with a fairly crispy skin as hoped. My Duck Inn Beef Burger ($18) came with crispy fries and salad with a tasty dressing. I enjoyed the addition of the chopped gherkin and wondered if some beetroot would have helped to add some extra juiciness to the meat patty I was hoping to be a bit more moist.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Beer garden, Nice and cosy decor, Interesting pub grub menu, Service seemed friendly enough at the time

CONS: New revamp menu seems more expensive than the original pub, BBQ Beef Ribs no longer on the menu

MUST TRY: Having a drink on a sunny day in the beer garden

BABY ON BOARD: No change table available in toilet, Beer garden casual and noisy enough to feel comfortable with a baby

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Nice beer garden setting

La Vielle Ferme Rosé, Cotes du Ventoux, France ($7.50), White Rabbit ($6.50)

Pan Fried Atlantic Salmon with a Salad of Quinoa, Celery, Cucumber, Lemon & Fresh Herbs ($24)

The Duck Inn Beef Burger, Farmhouse Cheese, Crispy Bacon, Relish and Fries ($18)

Daily specials menu

Baby Isabelle on board — thankfully stay asleep

Beer garden

Casual bench seating

Tropical-style greenery around beer garden

These seats look a little fragile and uncomfortable to me but I didn't sit on them so perhaps they're OK

Inside verandah seating

Bar area

Table setting

Lounge room seating area

Australia Day 2012 Whole Lamb on the Spit

Finally a decent powerful hand dryer that drys hands in seconds

Duck Trivia for the Smarty Pants

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25 January 2012

Zigi's: Launch of WineCheese Bar, Chippendale (19 Jan 2012)

86 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale NSW 2008

http://www.zigis.com.au

Smallest bar in Chippendale

Thanks to Zigi Ozeri for inviting me to his casual launch of the Zigi's WineCheese Bar. Sporting a humble smile he treated his guests to platters of different cheeses, olives, roasted nuts and some tasty homemade crisp bread. A small selection of beers and wines were available to purchase for $5 after you used your complimentary drink token/s. The bar downstairs is pretty tiny and would fit perhaps 15 at most while level 1 provided a private room and larger dining room to spread your wings a bit more. The decor was simple and included a display of old comics, newspaper clippings and retro packaging found during the renovations although I think some art from the local galleries would suit the space well. There was plenty of room in the training kitchen at the front to swing a cat or kangaroo for that matter where team building cooking classes are held. At the moment the bar is only open Friday and Saturdays between 4 til 10 pm with a glass of wine starting at a reasonable $5.50. Cheese platters are apparently suited for two people to share and contain 4 styles of cheese, each piece around 55 grams.

Current cheese list:

• Beaufort, AOC Ete Meule
• Brie, Grand Rustique
• Cheddar, Dorset Drum, Black Wax
• Washed Rind, Munster, Le Rustique
• Blue, Milawa
• Chevre, Saint Maure Bougon

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Cheese and wine — what more could you ask for, Bar snacks seem reasonably priced and house bottles of wine are only $25, Cooking classes available

CONS: Located in the middle of no mans land so unless you're a local you probably wouldn't be passing by, Limited drinks menu, Limited space near to the bar

MUST TRY: Cheese platter with a glass of wine

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