What used to be a garage (literally) has now been turned into a snazzy hot eatery – just next door to where my friends AB and LB live! Come inside Riley Street Garage with me…
First off – the place is muuuch bigger than anticipated! The centrepiece is of course this colourful, decadent bar. I feel like this place would fit in perfectly somewhere like New York (drawing on stereotypes of course [mainly Gossip Girl] as I haven’t been to the Big Apple yet!)
The extensive menu is designed to share, and might I just point out that there are some great options for vegetarians as well! A lot of what we ordered has no meat in it.
We started with some small plates to share, including Heirloom tomato, Fiore di Burrata ($12) – a truly fail-safe dish. The 100gm seven hermanos Jamon, house pickles ($22) was a real relight as well, I love how impressive it looks displayed on a board, surrounded by its condiments. Another small plate was the Salad of beetroot, goats cheese and candied walnuts ($15) which was also a very impressive looking dish. Beetroot and goats cheese = winning combination.
The Spinach ricotta ravioli with burnt sage butter ($14) was a bit unexpected – I feel like the ravioli may have been fried? I think I like to keep to my traditional soft pasta ravioli…unsure how I I feel about this variety.
Onto bigger dishes: the Queensland spanner crab risotto with preserved lemon ($26) is such a simple dish in terms of appearance and ingredients but it was hella good. Definitely recommend this one, especially for a bit of difference as the menu is quite meat heavy.
Dish of the night however, definitely goes to the Crispy pork knuckle with soy mustard, pickled apple ($45). WHAT an impressive dish, not only for its sheer size but also how tasty it was. We shared it amongst 4 of us and barely managed to finish it. Delightful wintery main course, which goes well with a side of Shoestring fries with aioli vinegar ($7). Aioli vinegar was definitely interesting, but just plain ol’ aioli is so good by itself, I sometimes wonder if we are doing it a disservice by adding to it. Anyone else feel me?
Overall a great place for a solid meal. Also props to our awesome waiter, I said I’d mention him but I’ve forgotten his name…sorry!
Riley Street Garage
55 Riley Street
Woolloomooloo, Sydney
https://rileystgarage.com.au
