District Dining: Jump On It Menu, Surry Hills (7 Dec 2010)

17 Randle Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

http://www.districtdining.com.au

Jumping on the sharewagon

Sydney chefs sure love the idea of sharing plates at the moment like Berta and Duke Bistro — it's like the new tapas — and Chef Warren Turnbull of Assiette now brings it to his cosy bistro which quickly became one of the most visited and blogged restaurants when it opened at the end of 2010. Surprisingly they advertised a deal on Jump On It which subsequently sold an incredible 2000 vouchers in 19 hours. After 4 weeks of opening it was hard to get a booking for the Jump On It deal because they only provided a limited number of spots per day and it also didn't help that SMH Good Living just published their review — people sure love flocking to anywhere that gets a good review, especially in Surry Hills. With finally a booking (maximum 2 vouchers per table) it was time to use the Jump On It $69 deal for a 3-course dinner for two including a bottle of French wine saving apparently $86.

Upon arrival we were seated by efficient and friendly service and soon discovered the Jump On It deal was restricted to a limited menu which was a little unexpected and disappointing so we didn't get the chance to choose from the full menu as I was hoping. Adding to this the entree is already pre-selected by the chef so no choices there either. Similar to Berta and Duke Bistro the dishes only list the ingredients and there's no description of how something is cooked. The entree platter consisted of Smoked eel paté cucumber green onion ($16), White asparagus barigoule king salmon orange olive oil ($18), Crispy quail eggs white anchovy tarragon mayonnaise ($14) and Veal tongue pickled turnip salsa verde almonds ($16). It was a nice selection to start but I was more keen to try their menu special of Crispy school prawns with lime aioli ($15) which was very tasty and crunchy as hoped.

For mains there's a selection of only 3 dishes for Jump On It customers. The Castricum lamb shoulder cumin honey baby carrots ($24) was tender and very flavoursome although unfortunately had too much fatty bits throughout making much of it quite unappealing. Good flavours were also in the Spiced pumpkin marinated feta honey walnuts ($16) and Hiramasa Kingfish miso radish salad eggplant ($20). As an additional dish I ordered the much loved Fried chicken coleslaw lime mayonaisse ($24). Quite pricey but I enjoyed the tender pieces of chicken with a refreshing coleslaw although I would have loved a bit more of a flavoursome dressing on the coleslaw.

For dessert there was only 2 choices of an Eton Mess style Strawberries raspberries meringue vanilla cream ($12) which was well liked and Efi's rice pudding cinnamon ice cream ($12) although I don't really like ice cream being served on a wooden board and think it would be better placed in a small side dish — and it seems so inner city and quirky to serve dishes and drinks in rustic style jars these days. As an extra I ordered the Coconut pannacotta mango lime coriander ($12) served in a small jar making it a little awkward to eat but thankfully it had some nice flavours with highlight notes of kaffir lime I believe. We were also tempted to try the Cheese platter ($22 for 3) complete with a nice selection of Brillat Savarin Triple Cream France, Fourme Dambert Blue France and Pyengana Cheddar Aus. The included bottles of French red and white wines of 2009 Bondeville Rouge Syrah and 2009 Bondeville Blanc Grenache Blanc were very quaffable and I'd would happily have again. Overall it was a good experience that leaves me wanting to try other dishes on the menu some day in the future.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Tasty and interesting dishes, Nice decor, Friendly service, Good wine

CONS: Lamb shoulder was very fatty, Under pressure service got a little forgetful about filling up our wine, Limited table space, Noisy when busy, Limited menu for Jump On It deal, Some dishes aren't as easy to share as others

MUST TRY: Crispy school prawns, Fried chicken coleslaw, Strawberries raspberries meringue vanilla cream, Other tempting dishes from the menu

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Table setting — a little tight for space

Jump On It menu

Normal menu

Murray's Whale Ale ($8)

2009 Bondeville Rouge Syrah, 2009 Bondeville Blanc Grenache Blanc, France

Chefs selection platter: Smoked eel paté cucumber green onion flatbread ($16), White asparagus barigoule king salmon orange olive oil ($18), Crispy quail eggs white anchovy tarragon mayonnaise ($14), Veal tongue pickled turnip salsa verde almonds ($16)

Crispy school prawns with lime aioli ($15)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Veal tongue pickled turnip salsa verde almonds ($16)

Crispy quail eggs white anchovy tarragon mayonnaise ($14)

White asparagus barigoule king salmon orange olive oil ($18)

Smoked eel paté cucumber green onion flatbread ($16)

Castricum lamb shoulder cumin honey baby carrots ($24) — a bit too fatty

Spiced pumpkin marinated feta honey walnuts ($16)

Hiramasa Kingfish miso radish salad eggplant ($20)

Fried chicken coleslaw lime mayonaisse ($24)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Strawberries raspberries meringue vanilla cream ($12)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Efi's rice pudding cinnamon ice cream ($12)

Cheese menu

Cheese platter ($22 for 3) Brillat Savarin tripe cream cows France, Fourme Dambert blue cow France, Pyengana cheddar cow Aus

Coconut pannacotta mango lime coriander ($12)

Bill for 4 people $227 (2 x $69 for a 3-course meal for two including entree, main and dessert plus $89 for extras)

Cosy dining

Balcony area

View from balcony of Central Station

Toilet vanity — clean and simple

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Bistro Papillon: French, CBD Sydney (1 Oct 2010)

98 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.bistropapillon.com.au

A slice of France in Sydney

There seems to be a good range of French restaurants now in Sydney and Bistro Papillon would have to be one of the favourites I've come across so far where it's hard to pick a meal from the menu because they all sound so good and authentic. Quench your thirst with a French Kroenbourg beer ($8) or quaffable and reasonably priced French 2009 Gros Manseng Sauvignon Blanc ($8) and 2005 Chateau Riotor Rose ($7). Substantial sized Grilled Goats Cheese Toast with a Walnut and Pear Salad ($14) is easy to share as an entree or the smooth Homemade Chicken Liver Pate, Cornichons, Red Capsicum Relish and Baguette ($15) although I find it unusual to see a side salad of tomato, lettuce, egg and the capsicum relish. A hearty yet high priced Roasted Confit of Duck Leg with a White Bean Cassoulet ($35) has nice flavours and there's no shortage of prawns in the Fresh Egg Linguine, Green Prawns, Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, Garlic, Chilli and Olive Oil ($29). The dish envy of the night went to the Braised Rabbit Papadelle [Pappardelle] with Mushroom, Pancetta, Herbs and Preserved Lemon ($30) with lovely citrus notes to help cut through the dish. I'm always tempted to try the Coq au Vin ($33) from the menu which comes in a hearty red wine sauce which I order with some decently cooked fries as my included side.

For dessert the Mousse au Chocolat ($12) is served with Grand Marnier Créme Anglaise which you self-pour on top and is one of the better ones I've had around town. I can't resist ordering the Classic Crème Brûlée ($11) and thankfully it comes with a perfectly crunchy caramelised topping although was a lot more custardy than I've had before and I usually prefer it with more vanilla bean. The French service was friendly and welcoming and managed the restaurant as efficiently as possible although they probably could have done with an extra hand to help attend to customers needs. There's attention to detail with nice thick paper towels in the toilet and French posters scattered amongst the walls and even a humorous beret on the coffee machine. The decor was cosy and atmospheric and I'd happily return to try other dishes from the menu when I get the chance.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Authentic French dishes, Centrally located in the city, Friendly and passionate service, Nice decor, Good selection of affordable wines

CONS: French cooking means a lot of butter, Service can be a little slow when busy

MUST TRY: Braised Rabbit Papadelle, Crème Brûlée

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Salad de Chevre Chaud: Grilled Goats Cheese Toast with a Walnut and Pear Salad ($14)

Pate de Foie de Volaille: Homemade Chicken Liver Pate, Cornichons, Red Capsicum Relish and Baguette ($15)

Cassoulet de Canard Confit: Roasted Confit of Duck Leg with a White Bean Cassoulet ($35)

Pates Fraiches aux Gambas: Fresh Egg Linguine, Green Prawns, Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, Garlic, Chilli and Olive Oil ($29)

Papadelle au Lapin Façon Chasseur: Braised Rabbit Papadelle with Mushroom, Pancetta, Herbs and Preserved Lemon ($30)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Coq au Vin: A French Classic, Corn Fed Chicken Casserole cooked in Red wine with Bacon, Mushroom, Onion and Thyme ($33) with side of fries

Classic Crème Brûlée ($11)

Mousse au Chocolat served with Grand Marnier Créme Anglaise ($12)

Kroenbourg beer ($8)

2009 Gros Manseng Sauvignon Blanc, Alain Brumont, France ($8)

2005 Chateau Riotor Rose, Cote de Provence, France ($7)

Bill $214 for 4 people

Posters from France

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