http://www.foodsociety.com.au
Sharing the European spirit
“The Darlinghurst restaurant is a casual dining experience showcasing Modern Eastern European cuisine, unique imported beer and spirits. With a menu designed to be shared, and a kitchen open late, it truly is a social food experience”
It’s hard not to love the homely décor at the Food Society which reminds me a bit of The Commons unless you’re a minimalist. Tables are cute albeit small so be careful how much you order at once because table space soon becomes a premium. Waiters use iPads for ordering and I was prewarned that dishes may come out in a different order to when you’d expect, and they did. A complimentary appetiser of pickled vegetables and bread sticks sets the scene for some Eastern European fare which goes well with their popular Zamkowe Poland beer ($10, 500 ml). I soon learnt the Pierogi with organic pork, roasted shallots ($10.50) was like a dumpling or ravioli. You could tell they were freshly made by the texture although I wished for a bit more sauciness in the filling. Perhaps some cottage cheese or the like would have done the trick for me to make the filling a little more juicy, nice flavours though. Vegetarians and gluten-free customers will appreciate the labeled menu. I’m sure they’ll head straight for the Green beans, almond butter ($9, v, gf) and Potato salad, dill pickle and egg ($9, v, gf) — I love a good potato salad and there’s ample pickle in this one. The only thing missing is some crispy bacon bits to bring it up to par with Madam Char Char.
If I had to pick one dish I’d order again it would be the Spinach, ricotta burek with ajvar ($10.50, v) with pastry so light and melt-in-your-mouth. Flavour was good and dish presentation reminded of me of the wooden boards used at District Dining. I probably wouldn’t order the Baked mushroom and almond tart, sherry vinegar caramel ($19, v) again which is served deconstructed — I was expecting it more as a tart which I think would be easier to cut and eat. Flavours were nice but I felt it was a bit on the pricey side for what you got compared to other menu items. With a little mix up in the kitchen we accidently received the Society baked pashka ($12) instead of the Lavender cream and sour cherry trifle ($12, gf). The pashka is a bit like a cheesecake and apparently one of their most popular desserts ordered by the Eastern European customers. I actually preferred the trifle although I found the cream was quite subtle on the lavender flavour and I wished the lavender flowers on top were candied to make them a bit more edible as well.
“The Darlinghurst restaurant is a casual dining experience showcasing Modern Eastern European cuisine, unique imported beer and spirits. With a menu designed to be shared, and a kitchen open late, it truly is a social food experience”
It’s hard not to love the homely décor at the Food Society which reminds me a bit of The Commons unless you’re a minimalist. Tables are cute albeit small so be careful how much you order at once because table space soon becomes a premium. Waiters use iPads for ordering and I was prewarned that dishes may come out in a different order to when you’d expect, and they did. A complimentary appetiser of pickled vegetables and bread sticks sets the scene for some Eastern European fare which goes well with their popular Zamkowe Poland beer ($10, 500 ml). I soon learnt the Pierogi with organic pork, roasted shallots ($10.50) was like a dumpling or ravioli. You could tell they were freshly made by the texture although I wished for a bit more sauciness in the filling. Perhaps some cottage cheese or the like would have done the trick for me to make the filling a little more juicy, nice flavours though. Vegetarians and gluten-free customers will appreciate the labeled menu. I’m sure they’ll head straight for the Green beans, almond butter ($9, v, gf) and Potato salad, dill pickle and egg ($9, v, gf) — I love a good potato salad and there’s ample pickle in this one. The only thing missing is some crispy bacon bits to bring it up to par with Madam Char Char.
If I had to pick one dish I’d order again it would be the Spinach, ricotta burek with ajvar ($10.50, v) with pastry so light and melt-in-your-mouth. Flavour was good and dish presentation reminded of me of the wooden boards used at District Dining. I probably wouldn’t order the Baked mushroom and almond tart, sherry vinegar caramel ($19, v) again which is served deconstructed — I was expecting it more as a tart which I think would be easier to cut and eat. Flavours were nice but I felt it was a bit on the pricey side for what you got compared to other menu items. With a little mix up in the kitchen we accidently received the Society baked pashka ($12) instead of the Lavender cream and sour cherry trifle ($12, gf). The pashka is a bit like a cheesecake and apparently one of their most popular desserts ordered by the Eastern European customers. I actually preferred the trifle although I found the cream was quite subtle on the lavender flavour and I wished the lavender flowers on top were candied to make them a bit more edible as well.
SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Homely and interesting décor, Some reasonably priced menu options, Friendly service, Vegetarian and gluten-free menu options clearly identified, Interesting beer and vodka menu, Catering available, Can make a booking online
CONS: Finding their feet, Food comes out in any order, Small table space, Table supports on small tables make it awkward to sit feet comfortably for me
MUST TRY: Spinach, ricotta burek with ajvar
THE DAMAGE: $89.50 for two
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Service uses iPads for ordering
Complimentary appetiser pickled vegatables and bread sticks
Zamkowe Poland beer ($10, 500 ml), Vasse Felix Sauv Blanc Sem Magaret River WA ($9.50)
Pierogi with organic pork, roasted shallots ($10.50)
WORTH TRYING :-)
Green beans, almond butter ($9, v, gf)
Potato salad, dill pickle and egg ($9, v, gf)
Spinach, ricotta burek with ajvar ($10.50, v)
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Baked mushroom and almond tart, sherry vinegar caramel ($19, v) - not really a tart but decontructed
Society baked pashka ($12) accidently provided instead of trifle
Lavender cream and sour cherry trifle ($12, gf)
Bill $89.50 for two
Beer and Vodka menu
Vodka shots — nice glassware
Seating with a kitchen view
Homely decor
Dining area and bar
Seating
Toilet signs
Toilet decor
Some table supports in the way of comfortable feet placement
Philosophy
