Mordeo Sydney CBD

[invite] Bianca: Mordeo has quietly been chugging along for three years now, wedged in a very corporate locale heading towards the rocks. They serve a Southern European menu with a strong wine list. I loved the oversized lamps in the courtyard, which led to an internal debate whether such a thing would like ridiculous in my apartment.  First things first, the crowd is very very corporate – expect to see a lot of work lunches and dinners. Besides that, the food is actually very good.

The menu does span a number of different cuisines. But there is a strong Italian & Greek emphasis. With the whole FFS crew reunited, we settled in and ordered a few entrees.

As soon as I see Hummus w/ wood fired flatbread $12 it’s an easy sell. The hummus, creamy and full of flavour. And the flatbread dangerously moreish. Avoiding the usual trappings of a greasy, over oiled bread.

There are a few popular ‘bar snacks’ and one standout was the Chorizo Croquetas $19. Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. We loved the bursts of saltiness from the chorizo. Probably one of our favourite dishes.

We had initially ordered the Lamb Ribs but were instead brought out some Pork Belly bites. Really not complaining, tender bite size pork pieces with a killer crackle. Accented by the dark sweet and sour sauce. I couldn’t find it on the menu but it should definitely be on there permanently.

Perhaps not the most ‘daring’ sounding dish but we adored the Cauliflower Casarecci -w/ garlic, chilli, pine nuts, lemon panigritata & grana Padano $25. An excellent mix of fresh herbs and spices with a nice hit of fresh chilli. One of my first experiences with cauliflower in a pasta, I really enjoyed the texture, with a firm bite. The panigritata was two-fold, adding texture and a strong citrus note.

It’s not a party without some protein and the Beef Short Rib $36 instantly invokes the ‘winter warmer’. Tender beef that easily pulled away from the bone, the accompanying sauce was rich and luscious. But perhaps one of my favourite elements was the smoked mash, sadly I was alone. As Alex and Vanessa thought it was too overpowering.

You can never go wrong with Polenta Chips w/ truffle & parmesan $10, these were crisp on the outside and gooey and molten on the inside.

We were curious by the Funghi & Truffle Pizza $23. We do usually shy away from ordering pizza unless we’re specifically at a pizzeria. But we’re happy to report the dough was light and not overly cumbersome or heavy. We might have liked a few more mushrooms but otherwise, it’s very typical of a traditional Neapolitan style pizza. Less of a focus on quantity, more on quality.

And to finish, a serving of the Loukoumades -w/hazelnut gelato & honey cinnamon syrup $14 these were an ample portion between 3, especially after the meal that came before it #noregrets. A thicker syrup would have been better but we enjoyed the hot crisp Greek doughnuts.

Perhaps a little out-of-the-way but if we were in the area or worked nearby we’d be regulars. A little gem in the heart of the city.

Bianca

Photos by Alex

*For Food’s Sake dined as guests of Mordeo, all opinions, however, are our own and independent.