Bianca: The Vicar of Wakefield, recently reborn and redeveloped as The Vicar. A multi-purpose venue spanning four restaurants comprising of a sports bar, an up-market restaurant, a brisket bar and a soon to open wine bar. The Hecker Guthrie design is
Wakefields recently opened as a farm to table, refined family style restaurant. Prices are on the higher end of the scale, so it will be interesting to see how the locals embrace this new fine dining-
Service was a little clunky with the young staff a touch on the nervous side, a recent opening so I would expect this to improve dramatically. A round of drinks was ordered, my rum-based honey cocktail was a little weak but the Aperol Peach Cobbler cocktails were a resounding hit on the table.
We had a full eating squad in tow, with sister in law Kat https://www.instagram.com/lickyourphone/?hl=en and the
To begin, Sea Salt & Rosemary Foccacia $6, we were torn between drowning the focaccia in EVOO and guiltily mopping up the Burrata -w/ Flat Beans $20. Wonderfully paired with fresh apple & fennel.
Steak Tartare -w/cured egg yolk, mustard, watercress & toast $26 was delicately balanced.
Ticking the fish quota with the Scallop Ceviche $26, plump and sweet scallop morsels offset by the salty hits of bacon dust, elegantly presented and delicious.
The Soy Marinated Tuna $26 was another standout, it’s success here due to its velvety, melt in the mouth texture. A genius touch caramelising some outer edges of the fresh cucumber. A little less successful (for me anyways) was the oyster emulsion. Pass thank you!
Moving on to the ‘Feast’ section of the menu. We opted for more of the larger ‘family style’ options. Starting with the Roast Eggplants -w/ king oyster mushrooms, roast tomato & spiced hazelnuts $28. This was perhaps the least successful dish on the day, the filled ‘dumplings’ were a clever addition but there was really nothing that had us coming back for more than a second bite.
If steak is your jam, don’t look past the 6 Week Dry Aged Jack’s Creek 1.2kg Rib Eye -w/ cafe de Paris butter & red wine jus (serves 2-4) $120. No fault whatsoever in the flavour. Seasoned wonderfully with an outer caramelised char, the fat marbling rendered perfectly. My only comment, we requested the rib eye be cooked medium rare but this was served closer to medium.
Maybe not the best option with our recent January weather but no questioning just how tasty the Braised Spring Lamb Shoulder (serves 2-4) $70 was. If there was a lamb beauty pageant this would be winning all the awards. Succulent and soft, easily pulling apart at the slightest prodding. The depth of flavour was incredible.
Of
And perhaps our favourite part of the meal here at FFS. Dessert! Orange Sorbet $15 is a great option if you’re after something a little lighter.
Moving on to something a little more decadent, the Valrhona Chocolate & Salted Caramel Tart $18.
And the universal favourite, Rotisserie QLD Pineapple -w/
There’s quite a lot to like about The Vicar, its quite an exciting concept for Dural and no doubt once its fully complete it will be a powerhouse in the North West.
Bianca
*For Food’s Sake dined as guests of The Vicar.
