Hummingbird

There aren’t many places in Sydney that boast a $5 tapas menu, but the newly revamped Hummingbird (part of the hip Vulcan boutique hotel) does, between 5pm and 7pm every Tuesday to Saturday. During happy hour, a fiver will buy you a plate of Spiced Calamari with a great blue cheese dressing (normally $10); or a large serve of Beer Battered Fries with a good tomato salsa (normally $7). Both go well with cocktails ‘ the best I tried was a Silver Angel ($14), though the Pineapple and Caramel Margarita ($14) was an interesting proposition. Owner Grant Kells told me that their cocktails ‘include advanced techniques‘ that see their bartenders spend an hour of preparation time per day in the kitchen making things like caramel syrup. To dine I would happily recommend the White River Veal Meatballs ($12) served with tomato, lime and chilli; or the Pork and Duck Terrine ($12) with onion jam and sourdough toast. The Garlic Mushrooms ($8) were slightly disappointing, as was the lack of spicing on the Grilled Moroccan Lamb Cutlets ($12). The room is intimate and perfect for solo diners, with a log fire warming it up at one end. Wine list includes a great 2007 Mount Adam Unoaked Chardonnay ($38/bottle, $8/glass).

Hummingbird
Vulcan Hotel, 500 Wattle Street, Ultimo
Ph: (02) 9211 9260
Tapas $-$$