Simon Food Favourites: La Bodeguita Del Medio

Showing posts with label La Bodeguita Del Medio. Show all posts

30 April 2012

La Bodeguita Del Medio: Cuban Restaurant & Bar, CBD Sydney (19 Oct 2011)

125 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.lbdm.com.au

Rum your way into Cuba

Thanks to Tony Maia (Venue Manager) of La Bodeguita Del Medio for inviting me as a guest to sample some of the dishes by Head Chef Danny Parreno and a few rum-based cocktails from the bar. You can’t go too wrong with the Mojito ($14) which is probably what LBDM are best known for but the Blood & Sand ($16) had well-balanced flavours which I probably enjoyed even more. The Ernest's Breakfast ($17) was pretty strong on the alcohol, the Clover Club ($16) was more subtle and the Nacional ($15) had fruity overtones. For a selection of cured meats the Embutidos ($22) did the trick. The chorizo was very spicy although I couldn’t work out where the pickles were as listed on the menu. The Half shell scallops, queso fresco & lime dressing ($21) were covered with plenty of topping which probably made the scallop secondary in the dish. The Empanadas ($17) of slow cooked oxtail were quite good although I would have loved the pastry to be a bit thinner to appreciate the filling more. A favourite for me was the Taro croquettes served with aji de gallina sauce ($15) which were very tasty and cooked with a crunchy shell. The Peruvian style ceviche ($15) was also very good although I would have loved a bit more salsa on top of the dish. The Ropa vieja ($24) seemed pricey but the braised lamb neck had good flavour and tenderness.

I was impressed with the amount of meat in the Langostino ($42) although the vanilla sauce was quite unusual and maybe an acquired taste for some to appreciate including myself. The chocolate sauce in the Pato con chocolate ($36) was noticeable yet subtle enough to still appreciate the duck flavour from the meat. My favourite main was the Bife Ancho 400g ($37) of tender and flavoursome meat helped along with house made condiments for extra taste bud enjoyment. I wasn’t a fan of the Tostones ($8) which I found a bit dry and tasteless although the accompanying Cuban aioli was really nice and actually went well with my potatoes on the steak dish. For dessert I mostly enjoyed the mocha dome in the Café y caramelo ($14) but didn’t really enjoy the salted caramel ice cream and would have preferred just a simple vanilla ice cream instead. The La Lechera ($14) was quite rich in flavours although I found the shape of the chocolate swirl a little disconcerting and unappealing — perhaps a quenelle shape instead. For afters a selection of the bartenders and waiters rum choices were offered. My preferred out of the three sampled was the El Dorado 12 YO ($13) which I found more drinkable over the Diplomatico Reserva ($12) and Havana Club Barrel Proof ($16.50) for my innocent rum palate.

Other visits to La Bodeguita Del Medio:
• 19 Oct 2011 – Guest review of food and drinks
• 16 June 2011 – Mojitos and rum cocktails

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Lively atmosphere, Interesting and cosy décor, Friendly service (Lisa), Live entertainment although makes it quite loud, Extensive rum menu

CONS: It's hard to stop at just one cocktail in this place, Probably best to book ahead for a table as they seem to be quite popular

MUST TRY: Mojito, Blood & Sand cocktail, Taro croquettes, Ropa Vieja, Bife Ancho 400g

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Table setting

Mojito ($14), Blood & Sand ($16), Ernest's Breakfast ($17), La Bodeguita Nojito ($6.50)

Clover Club ($16), Nacional ($15)

Mary Pickfair mocktail version: Pineapple juice, Maraschino liqueur served Martini style ($6)

2010 Santa Ines Savignon Blanc, Chile ($8.50), 2009 Altozano Tempranillo Castilla, Spain ($8), 2008 Perez Cruz Reserva Cabernet Maipo Valley, Chile ($12)

Embutidos: A selection of cured meats, arrollado & pickles ($22)

Vieiras Cubanas: Half shell scallops, queso fresco & lime dressing ($21)

Empanadas de carne con pebre: Slow cooked oxtail with tomato salsa ($17)

Croquetas de malanga - Taro croquettes served with aji de gallina sauce ($15)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Ceviche del día: Peruvian style ceviche ($15) — would be great if served with something like prawn crackers to put on

WORTH TRYING :-)

Ropa vieja: Tomato & yoghurt braised lamb neck, Cuban rice with black bean vinaigrette ($24)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Langostino: Tropical lobster, baby leeks, watercress & vanilla sauce ($42)

Pato con chocolate: Duck breast, sweet potato & spinach croquants & chocolate sauce ($36)

Sudado de Pescado: Market fish (Blue-eye Trevally), yucca, bugtail and roasted cherry tomatoes (MP) - seasonal scallops included, yucca replaced with potatoes

Tostones: Fried plantains with Cuban aioli ($8)

Bife Ancho 400g: 120-day grain fed dry age rib eye steak served with Rosemary & Garlic roasted potato & house made condiments ($37)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Café y caramelo: Mocha dome with candied peanuts & salted caramel ice cream ($14)

La Lechera: A classic ... LBDM style ($14)

El Dorado 12 YO, Guyana ($13)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Diplomatico Reserva, Venezuela ($12)

Havana Club Barrel Proof, Cuba ($16.50)

Head Chef Danny Parreno (middle) with kitchen team

Rum Tasting Sets

Mojito time = Good time

Musicians — pretty loud though for talking over

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06 July 2011

La Bodeguita Del Medio: Cuban Restaurant & Bar, CBD Sydney (16 June 2011)

125 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.lbdm.com.au

Home of the Mojito

I’ve never been to Havana or Cuba for that matter but after a few Havana Club cocktails at this lively bar it won’t take much more imagination to feel like you’re actually there in spirit. Their signature cocktail is probably the Mojito ($10) which combines Havana Club Rum, Fresh Mint & Lime, Soda & Sugar. They don’t seem to skimp on the alcohol with the double pouring but the sugar definitely helps hide the lethalness. If you order the Daiquiri #3 Hemingway Special cocktail ($15) you’re apparently allowed to ask the bartender to dance. I was the first to request such a thing and my bartender willingly obliged. It’s quite a nice combination of Havana Club Rum with Fresh Lime, Grapefruit and Maraschino Liqueur but quickly gone with so much ice in the glass.

The Mai Tai ($15) seems a bit stronger although also comes with a lot of ice as well. A combination of Jamaican Rum with Orange liqueur, Lime & Almond syrup seems to work well together. Once you’ve had a few mojitos you’ll probably be, or think you are, ready for the Cuban President ($15) which is basically all alcohol. How can you go wrong with White Cuban Rum mixed with Vermouth & Cointreau. It might be wise at this stage to write a note for the taxi driver to explain where you live before going any further. For those who love their cigars you might want to ask to see the cigar room. Only the size of a small cupboard but displays an impressive range under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. For those with graffiti tendencies your writing is encouraged on the walls just like Name This Bar first did when opened. Next time I’ll have to try the cuban food before getting side tracked with the enticing cocktail menu.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Lively atmosphere, Interesting and cosy décor, Friendly bar staff, Live entertainment, For lovers of rum, Extensive range of cigars available if that’s your thing, Open fairly late, You can write on the designated walls

CONS: You might have trouble stopping at one mojito, There's a fair amount of ice left in the glass for some cocktails

MUST TRY: Other cocktails on the menu and the food next time

WORTH TRYING: Mojito for easy drinking or the Cuban President if you like it strong and lethal

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Mojito: Havana Club Rum, Fresh Mint & Lime, Soda & Sugar ($10)

Making the Daiquiri #3 Hemingway Special cocktail ($15) — menu says 'If you want your bartender to dance whilst they make your drink please just let them know', so I did.