Having grown up in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, I always enjoy visiting! Sydney has been getting a reputation for snobbery lately, and definitely there are more places to 'be seen' now then there used to be (according to my memory!) however it's true to say that the quality, genuine design, and unique eating experiences to be found there are world class.
So after driving in circles for a long time (parking in Surry Hills is even more scarce now than it used to be) and then walking in stilettos for 20 minutes, we finally found our place at the table at The Bentley. It was worth it to find this little gem of a dining room.
We sat at a large round dining table that felt like it was in someones home, or at least a meeting place for good friends - the restaurant was busy and full, but cosey and dim as well, with lots of warm wood tones. The bar and restaurant are distinct, but merge into each other effortlessly. The room has a mix of bar and brasserie feel, with a distinct Australian post-war flair. To me this means simplicity, something about the paint, and a distinct use of glass. It also means hallways and sitting rooms. I can't pinpoint the decorations - it just felt SO SYDNEY. I loved being back there.
The Bentley has a vegetarian tasting menu which looked amazing - this menu was one of the reasons my friend had booked. Amongst her chef friends they suggested it was one of the best veggie upper-end dining experiences in Sydney, so we were eager to enjoy! However as we were a table of 5 people and only 3 wanted the veggie tasting, we weren't able to take advantage and support the initiative (the whole table needs to order it so that the meals come our in unison - fair enough), but we still got to enjoy some of the delicacies!
In all my years as a vegetarian, carrot has usually been served as a side dish to some other main event. So I was so surprised and delighted to have a main meal paying homage to this every-day vegetable. The grains were a welcome support act to the caramelised, salty carrots. We had a side of chickpea fries which filled us up nicely too.
You wont feel like you're being processed through your dinner here, or rushed along in favour of bigger drinkers. Despite being disjointed to miss the tasting menu, we got the chance to enjoy a great meal where veggies were well respected and not treated as a begrudging after-thought on the menu. Desert was particularly good, but Bentley deserves cudos for the imagination they have brought to the veggie movement. The service is warm and assertive, but not over the top. I'll come again!
Address: 320 Crown St, Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia
Ph: +02 9332 2344
Web: www.thebentley.com.au
So after driving in circles for a long time (parking in Surry Hills is even more scarce now than it used to be) and then walking in stilettos for 20 minutes, we finally found our place at the table at The Bentley. It was worth it to find this little gem of a dining room.
We sat at a large round dining table that felt like it was in someones home, or at least a meeting place for good friends - the restaurant was busy and full, but cosey and dim as well, with lots of warm wood tones. The bar and restaurant are distinct, but merge into each other effortlessly. The room has a mix of bar and brasserie feel, with a distinct Australian post-war flair. To me this means simplicity, something about the paint, and a distinct use of glass. It also means hallways and sitting rooms. I can't pinpoint the decorations - it just felt SO SYDNEY. I loved being back there.
The Bentley has a vegetarian tasting menu which looked amazing - this menu was one of the reasons my friend had booked. Amongst her chef friends they suggested it was one of the best veggie upper-end dining experiences in Sydney, so we were eager to enjoy! However as we were a table of 5 people and only 3 wanted the veggie tasting, we weren't able to take advantage and support the initiative (the whole table needs to order it so that the meals come our in unison - fair enough), but we still got to enjoy some of the delicacies!
In all my years as a vegetarian, carrot has usually been served as a side dish to some other main event. So I was so surprised and delighted to have a main meal paying homage to this every-day vegetable. The grains were a welcome support act to the caramelised, salty carrots. We had a side of chickpea fries which filled us up nicely too.
You wont feel like you're being processed through your dinner here, or rushed along in favour of bigger drinkers. Despite being disjointed to miss the tasting menu, we got the chance to enjoy a great meal where veggies were well respected and not treated as a begrudging after-thought on the menu. Desert was particularly good, but Bentley deserves cudos for the imagination they have brought to the veggie movement. The service is warm and assertive, but not over the top. I'll come again!
Address: 320 Crown St, Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia
Ph: +02 9332 2344
Web: www.thebentley.com.au
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