32 Burton Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Shining like a beacon at night this pop-up restaurant is sponsored by Pure Blonde and thankfully I got to try it on its last day before closing for Christmas — it'll reopen on the 1 January 2010. I first heard about it through Not Quite Nigella and then by The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry so it's been on my radar for a visit — please check them out for more photos including the cool looking courtyard. The Flash Fried School Prawns with aioli are a great starter and cooked to crispy crunchy perfection. Ana's Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli with brown butter and sage is exactly what I was hoping for. It's got plenty of flavour and melts in your mouth. It's quite an oily dish because of the butter but it tastes so good. The Chicken Scallopini with orange and fennel salad is a great combo of flavours and the salad helps cut through the heaviness of the chicken crumbing and generous serving. How could I go past a glass of shiraz named 'The Idiot' from Phillip Shaw — had good depth of flavour without too much tannin taste.
It's great to see the furniture is environmentally sound being crafted using reclaimed hardwood timbers, certified plantation pine timber, recycled pine and found objects — I love the look of it and would want some for my own home. The exposed sandstone and rustic flowers adorning the tables gives the place a very homely feel — a bit of an oasis from Darlinghurst outside. I've heard its been quite popular and perhaps too popular which might have affected service and friendliness — such can be the downside of ones own success. Tonight was fairly quiet when arriving near closing time so there was no problem getting a seat or problems with service.
PS. The Pond will be closing 6 Jan 2010 (see Media Alert below).
Ana's spinach and ricotta ravioli with brown butter and sage $20
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
2007 'The Idiot' Shiraz, Phillip Shaw, Orange NSW $10, 2008 Aerin's Vineyard Grenache-Shiraz-Mouvedre, Heathcote, Vic $8
Menu
Stairwell art
Furniture crafted using reclaimed hardwood timbers, certified plantation pine timber, recycled pine and found objects.
Wall decoration watching over me
The bill — where else can you get '1 Idiot for $10' :-)
Closed til 1 Jan 2010
