Love a long lunch? lastminute lovely Nicole finds a contender for Sydney’s best value Sunday session.
Update: We’re sad to report that Concrete Blonde closed its doors at the end of February with a new restaurant set to open in that space.
My love of a long lunch is well documented. I don’t know about you, but when I think of locations for a Sunday daytime meal, Kings Cross isn’t particularly high on my list.
That’s all changed now courtesy of a hot blonde I recently had the pleasure of meeting.
Concrete Blonde, a hidden gem on Bayswater Road to be precise. With live jazz, a modern outdoor courtyard and a too good to refuse lunch deal, Concrete Blonde is a hot contender for one of the city’s top lazy Sunday lunch spots.
Executive Chef Ian Oakes and his team offer up a tempting Sunday-only menu with two courses for $40 or three courses for $48. For the quality of the food on offer, that is exceptional value.
First up for Mr LML is the ‘Grilled Blue Mackerel, roast beetroot, potato, apple, sorrel, dill and English salad cream’. Beautifully presented, the fish is enhanced by the array of flavours on the plate without being overpowered by them.
I go for the ‘Roast Tiger Prawns with a soy, lime and ginger dressing and micro salad’. While a little difficult to eat, the prawns are cooked perfectly and it’s a nice light start to a three course meal (it’s a given I’ll be sampling the sweets).
Concrete Blonde is well known for its cocktails so of course we have to sample one. Thanks to a recommendation, I choose the Bayswater Breeze: Belvedere Vodka, Saint Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, Cloudy Apple Juice, Mint and Passionfruit, topped with sparkles. It was just as good as it sounds (although drink it quickly if you don’t want all the crushed ice to dilute the flavours).
Onto mains, and Mr LML’s selection of ‘Roast Rib of Tasmanian Grass-Fed Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes with market vegetables’ earns his high praise, proclaiming it to be one of the best roasts he’s had in a very long time. The crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside roast potatoes are a big hit and even the beans and carrots score a big thumbs up. For the quality and quantity of this dish, a lot of restaurants would charge closer to $40 just for mains so the value as part of the lunch special is exceptional.
After much indecision, I order the ‘Parmesan gnocchi, smoked tomatoes, sugar snap peas, basil and ricotta’. While not the lightest gnocchi I’ve sampled, the tastes and textures make for a delicious dish and the presentation is again impressive.
It’s impossible not to feel relaxed with the live jazz setting the mood in the funky outdoor terrace. Inside, the design stakes are raised higher with the sleek and contemporary industrial vibe lending itself more to night time dining. Think mood lighting, polished steel, open kitchen and attention to detail including the impressive cellar and lavish unisex toilets with mosaic wall (an on-brand sexy blonde).
There is of course always room for dessert and after getting a glimpse of neighbouring tables opting for the ‘Tarte fine of figs, almond and Peanut Brittle ice cream’, we decide that is definitely where it’s at.
It’s the highlight of the meal for me: sweet, flaky pastry, fresh figs, balanced creamy ice-cream. What’s not to love?
We also sample the ‘Roast stone fruit, shortbread and hazelnut crumble with crème fraiche’ (after I spotted a photo of the fruit in its roasting glory on their Facebook page). Deconstructed in style, it’s not your usual crumble, rather a tasty summer version of a winter dessert stable, and it is divine.
With the exception of Mr LML’s main, the menu changes weekly; the perfect excuse for return visits. We’ll certainly be back with friends in tow and suggest you place Concrete Blonde firmly at the top of your weekend dining hit list.