sydney

Butter

Posted on by leolawrence94

Butter, Sydney, Australia (our farewell to Sydney!)

Warning: this post contains images that may cause drooling.

Brace yourselves, boys and girls, for I am about to recount to you the tale of the most wonderful restaurant concept upon which I have ever stumbled. The place: Butter. The time: fried chicken time. If you have been keeping up with my blog, you’ll be aware that fried chicken is probably my most raved about food because I believe it is terribly underrated (see post: Bridge St. Garage), but for all those newbies out there let the record state that I love fried chicken with all my heart. Interestingly enough, I also love champagne. Perhaps even greater than my love for champagne is my love for sneakers. Enter: Butter, a hybrid sneaker, fried chicken and champagne bar located in trendy Surry Hills.

On arrival, two things stand out at this establishment (things that one has a fair amount of time to ponder while inevitably waiting for a table at this popular joint). The first is the giant glass wall showcasing the best of the best sneakers around, adorned lazily with champagne bottles. I’m talking Jordans galore. The second is the sweet sweet sound of hip-hop music. These snazzy kicks combined with hoppin’ beats and champagne bottles make for an atmosphere reminiscent of what I should imagine an after party hosted by Drake might look like. One can only hope that I discover whether my suspicions are correct in this regard. Once you’ve wrestled your way to a table (try and hold out for the bar at the window for ultimate people watching between the sneakers), the menu will grab you. You have a choice of different amounts of fried chicken (3 pac or size 13s – genius) or a number of other options such as the cheezus sandwich, which has my personal recommendation.

As if the names of the items on the menu weren’t witty and amusing enough for hip hop fans, the heat rating of the sauces you can choose is also original and fantastic. It starts out with naked, then OG (original gangster, if you didn’t know), fire and finally hot AF. I’ll leave you to google the last one if you aren’t a millennial or present on social media but, for the avoidance of doubt, this one is really really hot so tread carefully. I went for the cheezus sandwich with a side of shoelace fries. The sandwiches come with their own sauce so there is no need to choose how hot you’d like it, which is helpful since I don’t trust myself to make the right decision in this situation. The cheezus comes with a delightful honey mustard sauce and coleslaw. I appreciate the tradition of coleslaw with southern cooked meats but will always think of it as a pointless garnish, so I will leave you to decide how the coleslaw rates. Sorry, coleslaw.

Having been fortunate to try more than my fair share of fried chicken and even more fortunate to sample this delicacy in the Deep South aka the home of fricken, I came in with high expectations since this is perhaps the only food I feel almost qualified to be snobbish about. I can happily say that Butter met those expectations with flying chickens, which were juicy and tender while the batter was crispy with minimal grease. A solid show all round it appears, as Ole Sib seemed very taken with her OG 3 pac also.

To conclude, Butter is an excellent establishment to enjoy some good quality fried chicken and feel classy while enjoying the large selection of champagne. Plus, you can rest assured that all your friends will think you’re super cool and you can leave the establishment safe in the knowledge that now you will be the OG of your friendship group since you clearly have impeccable taste in restaurant and sneaker.

http://www.buttersydney.com.au

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The Best of Sydney: Brunch Edition

Posted on by leolawrence94

Dear Readers,

My sincerest apologies for my several month long absence! I was fortunate enough to undertake the trip of a lifetime around those old United States and life on the road was busy to say the least. However, the fruits (and burgers and hot dogs and tacos) of the travels will be documented here on holdthelettuce in their entirety in the coming weeks and months. It was a truly mouthwatering journey and I can’t wait to relive it with you all!

In the meantime, let me finish off the Australian adventures with the following post (and one more after that!) about that fancy mealtime also known as brunch.

The Best of Sydney: Brunch Edition

The world revolves around brunch. Plain and simple. Not only is it the first meal of the day when one can enjoy a beverage sans judgement, but it is also a particularly social occasion that is, dare I say, the most heavily documented meal of the day on social media. While brunch mania has taken hold all over the world (see post: Imperium brunch) the fever is especially high in Sydney, where people take immense pride in their coffee and avocado (preferably sold separately). Thus, in the interest of saving everyone precious time in this fast paced world, here is a guide to my favourite brunch spots in the city.

Speedos Café: Bondi

A beach view, bomb smoothies and Nutella cronuts. Done. Mic drop.

Just kidding. Whether you’re in the city or by the beach already, it is most definitely worth heading out to Bondi to pay a visit to Speedos Café, a little breakfast spot up on the hill overlooking the beach. They have a very diverse menu featuring the classics but also cater to the healthy crowd (looking at you, hikers) that frequents this area so be sure to try their smoothie bowls and milkshakes, if only for the ‘gram. However, for those who found that the hill up to the restaurant required maximum physical effort, reward yourself with one (or three) of the amazing pastries. A word of warning: Speedos is pretty compact and the view-facing tables snap up very quickly so get there early on weekends if you don’t want to end up throwing a tantrum when they’ve sold out of cronuts.

http://www.speedoscafe.com.au

Bangbang Café: Surry Hills

We’re back in Surry Hills, aka the hipster brunch mecca. Bangbang café is a local favourite catering for all meals of the day (they have great burgers – check out their Instagram) but I would be inclined to say that brunch is where it really shines. It’s only a short walk from Central Station and is tucked on the leafy, residential Reservoir Street with a giant open façade that makes for fantastic people watching and soaking up the leisurely morning vibes. Bangbang serves up your breakfast favourites but it has made its way onto this fabled list because of its excellent serving sizes. Here you can order your side of avocado safe in the knowledge that you will receive more than three measly slices and, thankfully, the same goes for bacon. For fear of repeating myself multiple times throughout this post I will stress here that, as above, most of these restaurants are compact in size and very popular so be prepared to set up camp and wait for your reward.

 

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https://www.instagram.com/bangbangcafe/

Cyren: Darling Harbour

If you’re looking to impress your friends with some excellent harbour views that don’t include swarms of tourists attempting to get the right photo of themselves holding the Opera House in their hand then hop on over to thriving Darling Harbour. With a plethora of dining options as well as bars, museums and the world’s largest IMAX theatre, this place is bustling but on a smaller scale than that famous harbour down the road (or water). Cyren takes the biscuit as the best brunch spot because it has a slightly classier feel than the other tourist traps around the harbour and has a great outside dining area. The breakfast menu offers more savoury options than sweet so if you’re looking for pancakes, look elsewhere, but if you want to be able to personalise your eggs benedict with four different options then look no further than this waterfront hotspot.

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http://www.nicks-seafood.com.au/venue/cyren/

Local Mbassy: Ultimo

There are two words that should make you drop whatever you are holding and dash for the door in the direction of Local Mbassy in Ultimo. Those two words are: red velvet. The trendiest colour and flavour around has infiltrated the menu at this popular joint in the form of red velvet pancakes and a red velvet latte and boy, oh boy are they worth a try. As with many restaurants popping up these days, Local Mbassy has jumped on the industrial chic train but the quirky factor here is the outdoor seating in a small garden area set back from the street. Again, this place gets pretty busy but it’s a great place to get away from the usual Surry Hills eateries and try out some unique breakfast options. (I repeat, red velvet everything).

https://www.instagram.com/localmbassy/

Reuben Hills: Surry Hills

After that little Ultimo jaunt it’s back to Surry Hills we go! This place perhaps tops the list of the Surry Hills cluster in this post for several reasons. Firstly, it has the industrial chic vibe down to a t in that it is an airy and spacious (which is rare for these breakfast spots) converted garage with some pretty swish neon lighting. Secondly, it has a different menu to your run of the mill brunch restaurants that is the perfect amount of pretentious without being repellent. For example, I will happily try bacon custard whereas something like foie gras ice cream is a less appealing concept. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the music in this place is exceptional. As soon as you enter, a wave of smooth hip-hop greets your ears and all is right in the world. Coffee plus eggs plus Drake equals true happiness.

http://www.reubenhills.com.au

Haven: Surry Hills

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Another Surry Hills brunch spot. Well, you just have to trust me on this. Sorry, not sorry. Haven (full name Haven: Tailoring Coffee Joyously) is quite the special place on this list owing to its unique take on coffee. At Haven, you are able to pinpoint the exact kind of coffee you like by using their handy taste chart that allows you to specify the levels of aroma, sweetness, body and aftertaste you prefer. After you have done this, they craft an individual coffee blend that is personalised to you. I don’t know how much more exclusive your coffee-drinking experience can get, folks. As if that weren’t enough, Haven is also known for its Hong Kong style egg waffles served with toppings such as red beans, sesame sauce and Matcha ice cream. Trust me, it works. If that’s not up your street, the regular menu is diverse and brunch is available all day. A dream come true.

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http://havenspecialtycoffee.com.au

So concludes the brunch fest! Go forth and taste, readers, and be sure to report back with your findings and any new spots that deserve a place on this prestigious list.

Ze Pickle

Posted on by leolawrence94

Ze Pickle, Sydney, Australia

Surry Hills, a bustling suburb of inner Sydney, is a veritable mecca for the foodie in search of quirky cafes and funky restaurants. Falling into the latter category is Ze Pickle, a craft beer and burger joint with an original menu and a too-cool-for-school vibe located in the heart of the suburb. Like many restaurants in Surry Hills, Ze Pickle is decked out like a converted warehouse with exposed brick walls and industrial light features. However, this establishment differs in its sense of character. Neon Pac Man fixtures adorn the walls, but not in a garish way, while one whole wall is covered in burlap sacks printed with marijuana advertisements. If you look up at the ceiling next to this wall, you’ll find a pair of black sneakers hanging by their laces, a signal that, in the real world, means this is a place where one can purchase illegal substances. To Ole Sib and me, our recognition of this just meant that perhaps we were almost cool enough to be in seen in this restaurant (doubtful).

With items on the menu such as the ‘Doughnutfukwitdis,’ (this place is clearly not for the fainthearted parents out there) which features Nutella smoked bacon and a glazed doughnut in place of a bun, ordering was no easy feat. We both settled on the 3AM burger, a wagyu beef burger with maple-glazed bacon, guacamole, ZP house sauce and ‘Kanye’s cheeze sticks’ – a South Park pop culture reference about which Ole Sib enlightened me. I was just enjoying the fact that they spelled cheese with a z and chicken wings as ‘chicken waaangs.’ What a place. Before we tucked in to our burgers, we started with Ze Chips, a visually stunning and gastronomically outstanding plate of fries drenched lovingly in an IPA beer cheeze sauce, ZP sauce and maple bacon. I have no more words to describe this so please refer to the photo below and attempt to contain your drool.

Next up to bat was the star hitter, the 3AM burger. This was possibly the most unique burger I’ve ever had the pleasure of sampling. The maple-smoked bacon had a delicious sweetness that was unusual in a burger but welcome nonetheless, however the feature to write home (or a blog) about was without a question the cheeze sticks. The molten cheese was a glorious shade of orange and flowed out freely from the crispy golden packages nestled within the burger. I wasn’t aware that cheese sticks were a necessary component of a magnificent burger before this experience and yet now I feel that no burger would be complete without them. What a conundrum. The only tiny opportunity for improvement in this outstanding creation would be the addition of more guacamole but with the extortionate price of the avocado only rising (to keep up to date with this pressing issue, Google ‘First World Problems’), I won’t hold Ze Pickle accountable.

One would think that after the aforementioned gluttonous feast had been demolished we would be sent rolling home to vegetate in a preferably horizontal position but, alas, no. We had more land to conquer and it took the form of deep fried Oreos in doughnut batter with toffee caramel ice cream and liquid Nutella. I have previously not been the most eager of food lovers to jump on the deep fried dessert bandwagon but thought it my duty as the creator of this educational blog to quell my nay-saying brain and dive into the deep end (a risky play, given my unequivocal love for Oreos) with this unchartered territory. I was overwhelmed with joy upon realising that this bold dessert only enhanced my passion for Oreos and swiftly pushed the decorative glacé cherries (empty calories, amirite?) away to allow for a more efficient attack. A show-stealing finale in a show full of show-stealers.

We finally called it a day and trundled home in a warm, carb-induced stupor, knowing that we had battled triumphantly against our restrictive stomach walls in the name of culinary research and lived to tell the tale. In long overdue conclusion, if you ever had any doubts about deep fried cookies, let me assuage your fears as someone who has made it through the tunnel and safely out the other side with a fresh perspective on battered sweet goods and possibly 5-10 more pounds of body weight.

http://www.zepickle.com

Bridge St. Garage (aka the best fried chicken in town…)

Posted on by leolawrence94

Bridge St. Garage, Sydney, Australia

If you’re searching for the best fried chicken in Sydney, look no further than Bridge St. Garage in the city’s CBD. It prides itself on serving ‘good ol’ fashioned comfort food’ with a Latin American twist on American diner classics, such as burgers, tacos and, most importantly, fried chicken. The Garage was one of the first restaurants Ole Sib and I visited upon arrival in Sydney and, ever since, we have been attempting to return to satiate our fried food cravings. However, our quest proved tricky in a city that seems to have an aversion to its restaurants remaining open past blue-plate special times on weekends… Points against you there, Sydney. We were finally successful after two failed attempts (third time’s a charm, I hear) and endless stalking of the restaurant’s tantalising instagram feed.

With no time to waste after having waited months to return to this establishment, we put our orders in with barely a glance at the menu: the fried chicken bucket and a side of fries for me and a pulled pork guacamole burger for Ole Sib. Now let me assure you, readers, that I am no stranger to fried chicken. While burgers and pizza feature heavily in my diet, fried chicken is my ultimate junk food choice, which is a heavy burden to bear given its elusiveness on restaurant menus. Why the noble fried chicken bucket must be reduced to a drunken late night snack or fast food bronze medallist behind those arrogant burgers and pizzas will forever be beyond my comprehension.

Enter the Bridge St. Garage fried chicken bucket, a wonderful assortment of Southern-style wings and drumsticks fried to the purest shade of gold with a perfect crunch to juice ratio (whatever your perfect ratio is, this bucket has it, I promise). They come with three sauces: a blue cheese sauce; a BBQ sauce and a trusty chipotle mayo, all of which can be enjoyed sufficiently given that you get a lot of bang for your buck (bang for your cluck, bang for your bucket… Insert preferred pun) with this choice. While the bucket itself is more than enough to satisfy a hungry stomach, the side of beer battered fries deserve an honourable mention as some of the best fries I have ever had. It turns out most things taste better when beer is involved.

While I raved on about my fried chicken, it appeared Ole Sib was enjoying her pulled pork guacamole burger as the sauce dripped down her arm (when it comes to burgers, the sloppier the better, people). The ordering method for burgers at Bridge St. Garage is worth mentioning here since you order a burger base and then add your choice of protein, which makes for an easily customised experience. Fries are also included with the burger, as God intended.

Despite having eyes only for our food, we both also commented on the décor of the restaurant, which incorporated fashionable retro features combined with an industrial chic vibe. Think subway tiles, exposed cement and neon lighting a-plenty. Couple this with a young man singing old Johnny Cash songs and you have yourself a master class in Americana. I would definitely recommend this as a top destination in the city and look forward to attempting to quash my love for fried chicken in order to try the rest of the good lookin’ eats on the menu. That is, if someone were to let Sydney’s restaurant owners know that occasionally people get hungry after 9pm on a Saturday…

http://bridgestgarage.com.au

The Argyle

Posted on by leolawrence94

The Argyle, Sydney, Australia

If you’re looking for nightlife hotspots and funky restaurants that will spice up your Instagram feed, look no further than The Rocks, Sydney. This area is popular for the aforementioned features but the main draw is its proximity to the famous Sydney Harbour (which – fun fact – is actually called Port Jackson) where you can take as many Harbour Bridge and Opera House selfies as your little heart desires. Unsurprising, then, that there are so many places to wine and dine in this tourist trap. Once you’ve finished trying to avoid photobombing seagulls at the harbour, The Rocks is the place to be.

The Argyle, located at The Rocks, is definitely one of our favourite stomping grounds thus far and this is mainly because you can do literally everything there. It’s the ideal location to choose for a relaxed beverage on a Sunday afternoon, an all day drinking fest, a nightclub, a restaurant, an outdoor movie theatre etc. etc. etc. The list goes on. It’s a pretty sizeable venue with two floors, the second of which turns into a dance floor for the more hoppin’ evenings of the week, as well as a vast outside terrace with its own bar. The best way I can describe the décor of the inside area is as a retro Hawaiian lounge. The lighting is very moody and there are palm trees and lounge chairs in smaller groups as well as high tables and stools if you’re going down the food route.

Be prepared to question everything you thought you wanted to eat upon arrival when you take a look at the menu. Ole Sib and I went in there contemplating some classic burgers and somehow ended up with a mozzarella and bruschetta bar, cheesesteak egg rolls and fried mac n cheese balls in front of us wondering how we had come this far and questioning all of our life choices up to this one moment of pure happiness. Who needs burgers when you can experience these crazy culinary creations? (I’m sorry, that was rash. I will always need burgers. Please forgive me, burger gods.) Rest assured, however, that there are so many options ranging from wood fired pizzas to burgers to barbecue ribs to salads (no thanks) that there really is something for everyone and for every occasion.

We began our feast with the mozzarella and bruschetta bar. It was presented on a cool wooden platter with sections for each food item. The sections were filled with mozzarella, caponata tapenade, pesto and a crushed tomato sauce. In a create-your-own kind of situation, these flavours came together beautifully on the crusty (another word that is only acceptable when referring to food. See Muriel’s Kitchen post: moist.) Sourdough bread. Bread and sauce and cheese are three of the major food groups of my life and all three were satisfactorily featured in this meal. The journey continued with the cheesesteak egg rolls. I am a big Philly cheesesteak fan but, of course, am used to the more conventional sub roll as the foundation for this iconic sandwich. The egg roll aspect was surprisingly wonderful in the sense that it added a welcome crisp to a usually sloppy experience. A drizzle of sriracha ketchup made for a solid Asian-American fusion flavour.

Ok, everyone. Let’s talk about those mac n cheese balls. Now, before this impromptu gastronomic adventure, I had indeed heard of such a thing as fried mac n cheese balls and could only dream that one day I would be so lucky as to be able to experience them. Thankfully, they lived up to my astronomically high hopes. They were little golden parcels of joy resting angelically on a light bed of blue cheese mayonnaise and on top of each little ball was a delicately placed piece of crispy bacon. Salivation had kicked into overdrive by the time the fork reached its destination on this one. My sincerest compliments to the imagination from whence this glorious idea sprung.

After demolishing the most wonderfully random combination of platters, Ole Sib and I were stunned into silence. What a journey. Whilst we reflected on the good times, a talented musical duo played some welcome acoustic 90s R&B tunes and all was right in the world for a little bit longer…

http://www.theargylerocks.com

Macchiato

Posted on by leolawrence94

Macchiato, Sydney, Australia

Apologies for the delay, beloved followers. We have made the journey now over to Australia. Hold on to your hats and let’s see if we eat any kangaroos… First up, Macchiato, Sydney.

You know when you visit the same restaurant twice in one day that you’re on to a winner. Or you have a self-control issue… Either way, Macchiato was that lucky restaurant one rainy day in Sydney. We got a feel for the rustic-chic pizzeria in the morning when we stopped by to meet some friends and enjoyed a chocolate milkshake and an elderflower lemonade. The milkshake was thick and the perfect amount of richness while the lemonade was effervescent and refreshing.

Hopped up on bubbles and chocolate, Ole Sib and I decided to go all out and visit Macchiato that evening to grab some grub in the form of their wood-fired pizzas. The restaurant is perfect for this kind of food as the décor is reminiscent of a spacious Brooklyn loft with brick walls and industrial light fixtures. We definitely didn’t feel hip enough to be there and proceeded to show up in our finest active wear to exude coolness and nonchalance that was only slightly ruined by the torrential downpour that perhaps dampened said coolness but certainly not our spirits.

We ordered a couple glasses of white wine and settled in at a long bar with high stools. Very chic. Unsurprisingly, I elected to have the Carne pizza to get the most bang for my buck without getting an actual buck on my pizza (only pigs and cows allowed here, please) and Ole Sib chose the New York Slice, an ode to the pizza capital of the world (calm down, Chicagoans). Whilst the glorious doughy masterpieces around us were being delivered on these nifty tiny metal stools to the table, our pizzas showed up in a slightly less glamorous fashion on, god forbid, plates. Clearly our drenched getup didn’t warrant the fancy tableware.

Not to be deterred, we tucked in to two excellent pizzas. Wood firing is always a wonderful way to cook these cheesy delights and Macchiato most definitely pulled through with a solid version of the timeless classic. Ole Sib’s New York Slice had great meatballs that were more the size of meteors and the meats in general on both pizzas were flavoursome and abundant. The addition of mascarpone on my Carne base was a tasty touch, too. The joy of a wood fired pizza is also that those pesky crusts are something to look forward to instead of passing off to your younger sibling and/or pet…

After a remarkably filling main course, I thought it only appropriate to order cheesecake for dessert. Every day is cheat day, folks. I was tempted mainly because it was a blueberry cheesecake, which is my favourite, and I rolled away from the table at the end of the night having regretted nothing. Wonderful pizza, delicious cheesecake and a fun atmosphere. We ambled out of the restaurant (it was pretty impossible to move our bodies any faster) hopeful and satisfied, believing in the good in the world and mankind… Before being pelted with another downpour.

http://www.macchiato.com.au