[invite] Bianca: Working outside of the CBD means it’s rare we get to enjoy the Sydney CBD bar scene, SILY (formerly Since I Left You) has been charming the city crowd since they opened in 2011 and it’s easy to see why. Part of the magic is locating the inner sanctum, with a gorgeous cobbled stone laneway leading to an outdoor courtyard that fills quickly with an after-work crowd. All watched over by the ‘Torch Carrier’, the striking five-storey artwork by Fintan Magee.
Cocktails are the name of the game but the food is equally as impressive. With a wide selection of small and substantial eats. Extolling my love for rum, owner Nick suggested the Big Daddy Cane $18 which instantly evoked ‘summer by the beach vibes’… despite it being 4:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon… in the heart of the City. Could be worse!
Alex & I are fiends for Negroni’s and instantly pounced on the Negronly Way Is Up $20 we did find the intense bitterness ease off as the ice melted.
Maybe one of the quintessential bar snacks is a good Guac and Nicks famous Guacamole w/corn chips $10 fits the bill. Well seasoned and great consistency, everything you could ask for.
We were happy to let Nick steer the ship and bring a few things out to try. But in all honesty, this is the type of food I love so there was no doubt I was ever going to be disappointed. The Waffalafels – crispy waffle cooked falafels -w/lemon tahini sauce $10 should win a medal on its name alone. With a good dose of fresh herbs, proportionate amounts of chickpeas and seasoning this really didn’t need too much meddling. The accompanying tahini sauce was a great lubricant to really tie it all together.
With a clever play on the famous Looney Tunes character Foghorn Leghorn, the aptly named Fogcorn Legham -w/double smoked ham, creamed corn, gruyere cheese in a waffle w/ maple syrup $14. This had me scratching my head with each bite… sweet and salty, crispy and fluffy. If I had any feedback it would be smoked ham getting lost within the flavours, I don’t recall it being prominent at all.
One certainly not lacking in flavour is the Cheeseburger Toastie – Ground beef patty, caramelised onions, cornichons, swiss gruyere, ketchup & mustard -w/potato crisp French Fries $16. Soooo, they’ve pretty much hit the nail on the head here. Even beating some burger joints at their own game! This has everything you want in a good burger, I’d put it in line flavour wise with a big mac – as it had the caramelised onions/ cornichon/ mustard concoction going on. The beef tasty and well cooked. Even the toast remained crisp and held its shape.
New to the menu is the Chicken Sweet Corn Toastie $16. Basically everything you love about a good chicken and sweet corn soup in a toasted sandwich. This was a flavour explosion, with bold Thai style spices and herbs. And finally, the piece de resistance – the creamed corn/ mayo dipping sauce… genius! Serious comfort food on a whole other level.
Hitting the trifecta with vibes, food and drink. I’d return with the girls for a night out!
Bianca
Photos by Alex
*For Food’s Sake dined as guests of Since I Left You/ SILY.
Wow, what a beautiful hideaway in the CBD. That chicken sweetcorn toastie has my name on it.
Damn! Now that cheeseburger toastie is how you put together the right cheeseburger flavours together!!
hehehe i love the name of the waffalafel
Oh that cheeseburger toastie has my tummy rumbling! Nice to see some of that laneway culture slow seeping into the CBD.
This is on my list because a friend went recently and loved it. Now it’s even further up the list! 😀