Blackbird Cafe, Darling Harbour, Sydney (18 May 2018)

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.

Shakespeare Hotel: Home of the 'no condition' $10 meals, Surry Hills (14 May 2010)

200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Plenty of $10 meal choices

This is my first time to the very popular Shakespeare Hotel which is directly opposite Mohr Fish which by the way make fantastic prawn and fish wontons. It seems very much a locals pub with what I assume is a large dose of uni students attracted by the very cheap meals and drinks on offer. It reminds me of a classier Cricketeers Arms Hotel and a more grungier version of The Victoria Room. For anyone on a tight budget to eat you'll love this place. I was amazed to see over 20 meals on offer for only $10 with no conditions — but I assume most people would buy a drink anyway.

The meals might not be as sophisticated as The Trinity Bar up the road but for $10 it'll sure fill your stomach. My Rump Steak with chips and salad ($10) was cooked to medium rare as ordered although unfortunately about a quarter of it had quite a bit of grizzle factor. The salad had a nice dressing and the crunchy chips were good. The Grilled Chicken Breast Burger ($10) had a nice guacamole with a noticeable chilli taste and the decently portioned Crumbed Chicken Parma ($10) seemed to get a few more extras on the dish than the same priced plain Chicken Schnitzel ($10). I think you'd be hard pressed to find a Grilled Barramundi Fillet with chips and salad ($10) for this low price in any other pub bistro too.

The bistro and main bar is downstairs but I found the most interesting part of the hotel upstairs where you'll find a small maze of separate rooms with cosy seating and various dimly lit feature lighting. The hotel is certainly a lot more extensive inside than I thought it was.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Cheap meals, Cosy seating, Interesting decor and lighting

CONS: Very crowded when busy during peak dining times

MUST TRY: Trying the other dishes

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Chicken Schnitzel with gravy, chips and salad $10

Crumbed Chicken Parma with eggplant, smoked ham, neapolitan sauce, mozzarella cheese and parmesen cheese with chips and salad $10

Grilled Barramundi Fillet with chips and salad $10

Grilled Chicken Breast Burger with mixed leaf, tomato, spanish onion, guacamole, lemon aoil and chips $10

Rump Steak 350g grain fed (medium rare) with mushroom sauce, chips and salad $10

Decorative feature lighting

Wallpaper design

Menu and happy hour time

Menu

Bistro seating

Bar area

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