[invite] Bianca: The Butler has quietly been chugging along in Potts Point for a few years now. It’s continually been one of my favourite restaurants and it constantly appears in any ‘date night’ suggestions list I’m ever asked for. A breezy, gorgeously renovated terrace style building with literal, million dollar views across the city skyline. Descending down the stairs into the main dining area and the verandah is purely breathtaking. You’d be remiss to think you’d stepped right into Havana.
This was my third time at The Butler and most likely not my last. A recent refurb and menu change has livened things up. The menu has moved away from the French/Caribbean dishes of my previous visits and is now more South American inspired.
Part of this new reno is Juanita’s, pull up a stool or imbibe with your meal. You’ll certainly be ordering a few rounds. I instantly gravitated towards the Flor De Cana Daiquiri $18, tropical rum with a sweet smooth finish. My gal pal Joyceicles went for the Please & Thank you $18. Which is pretty much my immediate response whenever there is cake involved. This was particularly floral, both drinks being very, very easy to drink.
Due to the serious eating that was about to commence I sadly bypassed my beloved bread and dove straight into the share plates. The Kingfish Crudo, jalapeno & cucumber $24 was a refreshing dish to really get the palate firing on all cylinders. The kingfish was gorgeously tender and delicate. Punchy acidic notes from the mandarin segments, tartness from the pickled cucumber. The jalapeno just adding a slight kick and finally all tied together by the thick syrupy sauce.
I have a strong fondness for empanadas and there was a point a few years ago where I was making these at least once a month (with store bought pastry, don’t judge). The Slow cooked Pork & chipotle empanada, parmesan & fermented apple puree $6.50 each. Blanketed in parmesan cheese, the pastry was light and flaky. The filling was a flavour explosion, bold seasoning really took the pork mince to another level. It sort of reminded us both of a Bolognese taste, with a sweetness from the carrot and mix veg.
An absolute must order are the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sliders -w/ranch slaw, peanut salsa macha & pickled jalapeno $6.50. I loved the beef slider sliders from my last visit and the current fried chicken slider could seriously give some competition to the burger heavy hitters in Syd. I believe the extent of my notes were “Amazing”. Crispy moist chicken thigh but the real kicker for me was the peanut salsa. Glorious!! I’m a big advocate for peanut butter on burgers but usually with beef. The salsa with the slaw and pickled jalapeno was both well rounded and texturally, very interesting.
Moving onto the larger share plates. I instantly locked eyes on the Pork Belly-w/ pumpkin caponata, pumpkin & yoghurt mouse, black garlic & pepita’s $28. Equal parts luscious tender fat, crispy well-seasoned crackling. The sharpness of the pumpkin mousse was a well thought out counter balance. The seasonal pumpkin caponata adding some nuttiness and finally, all tied together by the intense caramelised earthiness from the black garlic.
We were tossing up between the Wagyu shin but settled on the Black Pepper & Coriander Seed Hangar Steak -w/mint Verde, eggplant & pico de gallo $36. The steak was a perfectly executed medium rare, seasoned well. Paired excellently with the zingy mint Verde, I just wish there was more of it. I loved the charred eggplant, the underside having an intense smokey flavour.
Butler Spiced French Fries w/sriracha mayo $8 are a must order. Crispy and fluffy with a good dose of herbs. To round out mains we also got the Cauliflower, brown butter almonds, lime salt & home-made queso fresco $12. In all seriousness, I could return in the future and eat an entire bowl of this and be completely satisfied. Essentially doing for the cauliflower what Porteno did for Brussel sprouts.
Without being too emphatic I really cannot recommend The Butler enough, whether it’s drinks with the girls or date night. This is really one of those ‘any occasion’ restaurants. I’ll be back!
Bianca
*For Food’s Sake dined as a guest of the Butler
woah woah that empanada is calling to me!
I tried to go here one night but it was so busy we couldn’t get a table! Maybe the crowd has tapered off now with a bit of time.
Oh dude! That fried chicken slider!!!