Splendid Dinner @ Cafe Sydney

Having something to look forward to definitely helps reducing the grief of coming back to work after the Easter long weekend. Miss C is my angel taking me to dinner at one of Sydney’s most popular restaurant, and now I know it’s admired for a good reason. The view is stunning by day or night. Sitting on top of the Customs House at Circular Quay, Cafe Sydney has a modern look, including the use of dark timber and floor to ceiling glass walls to bring out the best of the impeccable view of the Harbour Bridge and the ferries on the sparkling blue water.

We ordered some non-alcoholic drinks to start the night off. The Kiwi Crush Mocktail is particularly refreshing, with a hint of lime and delicious passionfruit syrup. Cafe Sydney prides itself with a menu based around seasonal produce, with an emphasis on seafood. The scallops are perfectly grilled. The flavours are well balanced and the addition of the thin crisps of smoky pancetta is genius. My only complaint is that there are only three scallops on the plate! The grilled prawns are fresh and delicious, and lucky for me as someone who can’t appreciate spicy food, the citrus chilli butter is not spicy at all.

The duck leg is cooked twice to capture all the aromas, taste and tenderness of the delicate meat. It is served with a rich foie gras sausage, beetroot, puy lentil and a sweetly caramelised grilled fig. This is the ultimate dish of overindulgence! Having naan as well as the usual sourdough bread on the menu shows the great range of international cuisine Sydney as a city has to offer. There are a variety to choose from, including goat cheese and spinach, spiced caramelised onion and garlic naan. We had the goat cheese and spinach, they are lusciously gooey and a bargain at around $3 a serving.

 The kitchen @ Cafe Sydney 

View from inside - the harbour backdrop 

Kiwi Crush and Antipodes Sparkling Water

Appetiser

Goat cheese and spinach naan

L Loves... Seared scallops, butternut pumpkin, 
quinoa, cavolo nero, crisp pancetta, lemon 

Grilled half shell Queensland prawns, 
kohlrabi remoulade, citrus chilli butter, baby basil 

L Loves... Twice cooked duck leg, foie gras sausage, 
beetroot, fig, puy lentil, vino cotto, jus

View from the balcony - I could look at this all night long :)

All in all, we had a remarkable evening. Service is impeccable. We did not have a moment where our glasses are empty. Without prompt the staff swiftly topped up our glasses. Our entree arrived quicker than we expected but the timing of our mains are just right. They do get busier and busier as the evening progresses. By the time we are leaving, the sun has set and the dining area is dim with subdued lighting. I would definitely recommend Cafe Sydney, especially if you want to impress friends and guests from overseas.

L's Verdict:

•    Taste: 8/10

•    Ambience: 4.5/5

•    Value: 3/5

•    Service: 3.5/5

•    Creativity and other WOW factors: 4/5

Overall rating: 23/30

Cafe Sydney

5th Floor/31 Alfred St 

Sydney NSW 2000 

Ph: (02) 9251 8683

Monday to Friday 12 noon until late 

Saturday 5pm until late 

Sunday 12 noon for lunch

Visited April 2013

Friendly advice: Book in advance as it is a busy place and ask for balcony seats so you get the full view overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge - you won't regret it!