My parents are huge fans of Barangaroo. Seriously, they always want to go one of the new restaurants there when we’re going out for dinner! They were completely blown away by BEA the other week (where I forgot to bring my camera, but never fear we’re going back there next week so there’ll be a post coming up soon!). They’re also regular guests at LOTUS. So I suggested we should check out ÉTÉ RESTAURANT for a change! It’s a relatively new joint in the Barangaroo dining precinct and it’s actually not on the main strip by the water, so you might miss it if you’re walking around. Have a look below at what we ate!
We started by sharing a couple of entrees. Actually, I think you can share the whole menu, but we opted for our own mains (see below). We actually got two of the Woodfired Bone Marrow with truffled streusel and caperberry ($12). Dad and I are both huge bone marrow fans, and this dish is really too small to share between four! I’d actually recommend maybe getting a third entree to share if you’re hungry.
We also had the Quail, ancient grains and watercress ($28) which, as you can see, is not really what you expect when you see ‘quail’ on the menu! It’s actually kind of like a quail sausage? Hard to explain, but definitely tasty. Again, though, this is a small entree and perhaps it would’ve been good if they could’ve given us an extra fourth piece so we could all have a piece.
Onto the mains! First up, two fish dishes that the boys in our group had. DS had the Whiting with oyster & mustard beurre blanc and coastal succulents ($39). How cute are the little mini waffle chips on this dish!!! I really do love little details like that. Compared to our other mains, this was definitely the smallest and it would’ve been tough to share this dish. Yes, the little details on the dish are nice, but overall it was just okay.
My dad had the Blue Eye with leek fondue and smoked shiitake ($38) which he had no complaints about. It was bigger in size than the whiting so I think he was quite satisfied with it.
Mum and I got the meat-y dishes, and we also got some Wood roasted carrots with labneh ($12). Does anyone struggle with their main dishes not having any vegetables and so you always have to order a side?! Or alternatively, vegetables are listed as part of the main dish, but when it arrives there’s like, one tiny carrot stubble that’s more like a garnish? It’s so important to have a balanced meal, so we often do end up ordering some greens on the side!
Pork with savoy cabbage and sauce Robert ($37) was HUGE! The dish actually comes with peaches as well, but I’m trying to eat a low FODMAP diet at the moment so I requested to have them removed. Compared to DS’ 3 tiny pieces of whiting, I had 4 or 5 huge pieces of pork and definitely could’ve shared my dish. Special shout-out to how great the crackling was – the chefs really did well on this one. It was perfectly crunchy, but not so crunchy that you couldn’t bite through it, and also not soggy so that it becomes a bit rubbery. I would actually liken it to a prawn cracker with quite an ‘airy’ crunch, if you know what I mean!
The Mothership had the Lamb Rack, pressed belly, Jerusalem artichoke and turnip ($44) which was also a huge portion. Again, this would’ve been better shared. Perhaps it would be good to indicate on the menu which dishes are more share-able?
Finally…we come to the highlight of our meal. We had spied this epic dessert selection at our neighbouring tables and just couldn’t resist ordering our own!
At first, mum was hesitant – she didn’t think the four of us could finish the Assiette Mignardise – selection of our finest mini desserts ($38). But then we saw a neighbouring table of TWO ordering it! We didn’t even have to look at the dessert menu – “We’ll have what they’re having!”
Wow – how often do you get your dessert served on a tiny wheelbarrow?! I know, it’s not really a wheelbarrow. But I just loved this presentation and all the little touches on the dessert selection. The ‘cake-pops’ covered in meringue on a stick were my personal favourite. The eclairs were pretty good too! Some of the flavours didn’t quite work together as there were some chocolate-y desserts right next to fruit-y sauces, but hey, it’s all dessert so I was happy with that!
Overall our experience at ÉTÉ RESTAURANT was pretty good, but not outstanding. I would struggle to tell you what was particularly special about it, and with prices in their $40s for some of the main dishes, you’d want there to be something special. I do appreciate, however, that many of the ingredients are sourced sustainably and from local farmers and suppliers, with a focus on seasonal availability. Maybe you’ll just have to try it out for yourself and let me know!
ETE RESTAURANT IS NOW PERMANENTLY CLOSED
ÉTÉ RESTAURANT
100 BARANGAROO AVENUE
BARANGAROO, SYDNEY
https://www.eterestaurant.com.au
100 BARANGAROO AVENUE
BARANGAROO, SYDNEY
https://www.eterestaurant.com.au
