Cru54 *UPDATED*
Image: Small plates are the perfect companion to balmy summer nights; but when I returned here on a Wednesday, it was Paella Night. It’s pretty hard to pass up a full meal of seafood/mixed paella with olive rolls, aioli and salad for $38/person - we were delighted with our generous pan brimming with mussels, king prawns, tender squid and rich, flavoursome rice.
Small plates are the perfect companion to balmy summer nights; but when I returned here on a Wednesday, it was Paella Night. It’s pretty hard to pass up a full meal of seafood/mixed paella with olive rolls, aioli and salad for $38/person; our generous pan was brimming with mussels, king prawns, tender squid and rich, flavoursome rice. The regular menu of small plates is worth exploring too – Grilled Calamari, Squid Ink Crumble and Aioli ($17) is a great combination; Jamón Ibérico ($20) is boldly unadorned. The wine list may be filled with unfamiliar names, but they are all carefully chosen performers. Our accessible and faintly pink 2008 Tar and Roses Pinot Grigio ($8/glass, $34/bottle) capped off a very reasonable bill. Dessert is a highlight here. With fond memories of Burnt Valencia Orange with Leche Meringada Ice-cream and Turron Sprinkle ($10), I dived into a bowl of Chilled Strawberry Soup with (house-made) Yoghurt Ice Cream and Pistachio Galette ($11) – the perfect antidote to a hot day. If you’ve broken up with your boyfriend or had some other calamity, the Churros (de la casa) ($11) with hot chocolate sauce and Pedro Ximenez ice cream won’t fix it; but for five minutes, you won’t give a damn.
Cru54
54 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
Ph: (02) 9281 1054 www.cru54.com.au
Modern Spanish $$-$$$
