Friday, February 17, 2012

Friday Fave or Fail ... rockpool

Friday Fave or Fail day, guys! It's the weekend, yippee!!

Anybody got any great dinner plans out? Dinner plans in, perhaps? Where are you going, what are you making? Fill me in! :) James and I just did a massive grocery shop and I'm guessing we'll be cooking tonight... surprise surprise.

So, today's fave or fail is a "fave"... except it's not really a fave, but it definitely wasn't a fail and naming our Friday's with that particular title doesn't leave me a lot of in between room, does it? Rockpool bar & grille was awesome. It's this fabulous old ritzy bank turned gourmet business restaurant in downtown Sydney. Being in Sydney, you know it's gonna be good, and it was. Very good. No, it didn't blow my socks off, but I'd definitely go back a second and third time if I was asked, no hesitations.

The place was gorgeous and I felt like a million bucks walking up those marble steps. James and I were meeting his sister, her husband and our sweet nephew, Elijah who's only 6 months old, so the hosts kindly offered us a private room overlooking the gorgeous wine glass covered bar. How nice?
(could be a beautiful idea for a home kitchen...i love those hanging glasses!)
The waitress was very kind, a little clueless about their menu, but nice, nevertheless and very attentive to helping Jodie with whatever she needed in regards to Elijah. Look at this beautiful child...
(damien, you're pretty alright too) ;)
Anyways, we started off with drinks. Seeing as it was only noon, we stuck with fancy sodas instead of alcohol. However, the drinks menu was so clever, I thought I'd show you anyways.
"Gentlemen, don’t approach ladies; and if you are so lucky to have  
one approach you, endear her as you would your mother."
(my favorite of all the rules)

Jodie, James and I all ordered this pineapple ginger soda and Damien took the different route with an apple julep. Both were great and I wanted to order a second.
(but I refrained)
Then we started off with appetizers. ('entrees' for you Australians... quick conversion info, US to AU: appetizer = entree, entree = main... so bizarre, i know)
 empanadas... although I do believe the ones I posted here are better. ;)
 fancy salt
Charcoal Oven Roast Chorizo, Potato and White Beans.. this was amazing. I would say this was the most creative culinary item that we tried and it was fabulous. Not too greasy, the beans were to die for and nothing's better than sauteed onions with crusty toast.

Steak Sandwich with Tomato and Chili Relish
(sorry about the blurry photo)
David Blackmore’s Full Blood Wagyu Hamburger  
with Bacon, Gruyere Cheese and Zuni Pickle
(yeah, that bun was sinfully delicious.. sadly, I didn't finish it all)
Butter Lettuce, Avocado, Cherry Tomato and Jalapeno Chili Salad
(may not look like much, but it was the best salad I've had in a really long time)
Fabulous espresso with a little cup of house made caramel corn, compliments of the house. Win.
Jodie had to go outside to stroll Elijah to sleep just when they brought us our entrees... the waitress proceeded to take her plate back to the warming drawer until she returned and brought us our espresso while we waited. Service well done, in my opinion. And a great time was had by all.
 James and Jodie
Isn't she gorgeous?
So there you have it. Rockpool Bar & Grille is a definite 'go-to' in my book. It was crowded, and bustling and full of business folk, but they treated us like royalty and we were in and out, fully satisfied, in just an hour. It may not be a "fave" per say, but I recommend it... you won't be disappointed.

Fabulous Friday to you and yours!
xox

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