Riley Street Garage
Flicking through a Travel Magazine in Dubai I was pleasantly surprised to find a review on a new restaurant in Sydney. A few days later I was on my way to SYD and made sure the Baron and I paid it a visit.
55 Riley Street Garage is everything the reviewer stated and more. Originally servicing and repairing automobiles they’re now feeding and watering people.
A cavernous, warehouse style interior with art deco hilights hosts a central gold bar offering a Pitstop Menu of express lunch burgers. However, if you have time, choose the full dining menu and make yourself comfortable on chocolate leather seating at wood grain tables.
Let’s begin with oysters, the reason for being there according to the travel mag review. If oysters are your thing then obviously a few naturals will start you off but don’t miss the smoky soy truffle combo. The oyster flavour comes through beautifully and the rich soy and truffle sounds a little too much but it works perfectly. The mignonette lettuce jelly and shaved fois gras is a softer flavour and less surprising but delicious regardless. I’m a bit of a purist so skipped the Tempura with egg mayo but based on the meal as a whole I wish I’d had just one.
Sharing is the way of Riley Street Garage; small plates and large. A fabulous way to taste numerous options. Buratta, a delicious mix of mozzarella and cream inside a mozzarella casing is served alongside bean pureé and crisp shaved carrot and radish. Fresh, clean flavours and a moreish indulgence. Try the beetroot salad; steamed whole, pickled and roasted with goats cheese and candied walnuts. Tempura battered zucchini flowers stuffed with Persian Feta and capers were tender and still slightly firm; perfectly cooked. The scallops, caramelised but still pink inside, with yuzu and pickled apple proved a treat. A serving size of 2 is not quite enough so don’t hesitate, order them again. Now this may sound like a fair bit of food already but there’s one dish you really have to try, crispy fried lemon sole with ponzu mayo. The flesh, cubed and lightly battered with the tang of the ponzu is excellent but the winner of this dish is the deep fried skeleton enabling pieces to be broken off and consumed as crunchy chips. To accompany our food we chose The Black Star Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough New Zealand and found it too to be a winner.
A special mention is necessary for the service from our mechanic, Jackson; knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. The touches of memorabilia from the venue’s previous life added warmth and sparked much interest especially the wall of hub caps in the downstairs foyer.
It was well worth flicking through the mag to find this gem. 55 Riley Street Garage, definitely a thing we love….