Bar Tapa, Darlinghurst (4 April 2018)

78 Stanley St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
http://www.bartapa.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/bartapadarlinghurst/

New tapas kids on the block

With no menu available on their website I was curious to check them out to see what's on offer. The banderillas and pinchos menu looked great posted on the front window but unfortunately was only available for dinner. The Crema Catalana ($7) is usually also for the dinner menu but the kitchen were able to make one for my lunch time visit. Very nice toffee topping achieved and lovely flavour. Light enough to enjoy solo. Next time I'm keen to try their churros but that will have to be at dinner time as well. Friendly service and Spanish theme filled decor makes for an interesting welcoming restaurant and bar vibe. The menu seems best suited for sharing although the calamari bocadillo is calling my name on the next solo lunch visit.

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.

Udaberri: Pintxos Y Vino, CBD Adelaide (2 Nov 2012)

11 Leigh Street, Adelaide SA 5000

http://www.udaberri.com.au

For the love of oysters

A locals recommendation I met at Botanic Bar brings me to the recently opened Udaberri where I surprisingly discover some of the best freshly shucked oysters ($3 each) I've ever had in a bar or restaurant. These guys know how to fully respect the Coffin Bay pacific oyster with all its prized brine — the oysters were literally swimming in it. For the die hard oyster lovers this is what it's all about. No need for lemon although a splash of the champagne vinegar supplied worked well for me. Shells were cleanly opened and well-presented. I left it up to the bartender to serve me their signature drink. The White Sangria ($15) is not on menu and was worth trying. A likable and refreshing alternative to a red wine sangria. 

The Banderilla ($2.50 each) sounded interesting on the menu and flavours worked well together but it's a tiny serving. Seemed expensive for such a small appetiser. The Jamon seranno gran reserva ($15, 50 grams) was thinly sliced and a decent size to share between two. The bread was fresh and went nicely with the jamon. Apparently during the night pintxos are available for $2. I sampled their mushroom cheese crepe which was very tasty. The bar reminded me of being back in San Sebastion which is apparently inspiration for atmosphere and vibe they were after. A melting pot of conversations, drinking and snacking on a few tasty and affordable pintxos. I hope to return one day, if not just for their oysters.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Reminds me of being back in the bars of San Sebastion, Interesting menu, Fun vibe, Efficient and friendly service, Rustic decor

CONS: Very loud, Limited seating, Can get crowded, It's in Adelaide and I live in Sydney 

MUST TRY: Oysters
VERDICT: A fun and popular place for a casual drink and snack. Definitely try the oysters if you like them shucked to order.

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Coffin Bay oysters, shucked to order served with champagne vinegar ($3 each) — full of brine and shucked well with minimal shellage
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

White Sangria ($15) — not on menu but signature drink
WORTH TRYING :-)

Banderilla - skewered confit cherry tomato, pickled garlic and queso mahon cheese ($2.50 each) — nice flavours but seems expensive for such a small appetiser

Jamon seranno gran reserva aged 10 months, 50 gram ($15) — decent amount of slicers, thinly sliced, bread fresh
WORTH TRYING :-)

Pintoxos, usually charged at $2 each, mushroom cheese in crepe

Bill $41.50 for one, 6 weeks opened, efficient service, cool bar vibe, loud, popular

Menu

Upstairs seating

Owners Rod and Rowan having a cheeky photo

Team Udaberri

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