[invite] Bianca: New to Paddington’s back streets, an Equestrian themed restaurant just begging to be entered. The Stables, just behind Oxford streets, restaurant-lined strip opened in early June. You’d be remiss to think you were wandering by a sandstone art studio but peer in and you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeously chic fit-out. Deep brown leather, marble table tops and brass lighting pulling your gaze to its simple, bold design features. It’s a cool space and I can easily see it becoming the backdrop for many a ‘yummy mummy’ power lunch.
The menu is slanted towards a more Modern Australian approach, with head chef Thomas Gripton gracing some of Sydney’s best restaurants – Monopole, Bentley, Hubert & Mjolner. The emphasis here is on quality Australian ingredients.
My dining partner Felicitations isn’t all too adventurous when it comes to food (I love you) so I feel I may have ordered incorrectly.
Starting with the Ox-tail croquettes -w/beetroot & potato puree & pickled beetroot $23. I’ll admit I sneakily ordered these before Felicity had a proper look at the menu. Little did she know… I tend to shy away from beetroot, finding it’s earthy flavour quite overwhelming at times. But used here, it was subtle and really complimented the rich flavour of the oxtail.
The Butter Poached Lobster -w/herb jus, avruga caviar, dill & kombu $31. Was perhaps, a touch too sophisticated for my palate. I can’t fault the lobster, wonderfully silky but the herb jus just did not translate well for me.
Easily one of my favourite dishes was the Roast mushroom medley -w/ a puff pastry wafer, gorgonzola, pickled red onion, thyme & garlic $21. Wonderfully plump mushrooms scooped up on the puff pastry was glorious. There was a bit of an intense ‘burn’ from the garlic, almost similar to the tingly numbness you sometimes get from eating eggplant BUT WELL WELL worth it here. I loved this dish.
In hindsight, I should have gone with the lamb belly but instead opted for the Black Angus flank steak -w/ charred radicchio, grilled shallots, shallot oil & red wine jus $36. Perfectly cooked medium rare, I do tend to find flank steak a little on the tough side but this was much tender than others I’ve encountered. I adore charred leek and enjoyed it’s use here. I’d probably opt for something a little more exciting next time.
Do order a side of Roast chat potatoes -w/ rosemary, garlic, pink sea salt $12 and make sure you keep some of that mushroom/gorgonzola sauce floating around. Perfect for dippage!
And to finish, Chocolate fondant -w/ berry ice cream & honeycomb $16. Split this right down the middle and watch the ooey gooey centre spill forth, a chocolate lava with its sights set on only one place. My upper thighs…. worth it! The presentation was a little clumsy but a minor quibble, if you love chocolate you’ll be over the moon with this dessert.
Some hit and miss dishes but the very fact they’re in their infancy it’s quite understandable.
Bianca
These foods look amazing and delicious especially the Ox-tail croquettes. Thanks for sharing. Well done!