Sugaroom

Eat & Drink Modern Australian Wine

Jackie McMillan
May 23, 2012

Image: Buoyed by a successful 2012 Pyrmont Festival, I was inspired to revisit this local waterfront spot. It’s certainly had a shake-up since my last visit - the whole precinct looks shinier, down to scenic light boxes, light up poles, and kitsch fish storm water grates.

Buoyed by a successful 2012 Pyrmont Festival, I was inspired to revisit this local waterfront spot. It’s certainly had a shake-up since my last visit – the whole precinct looks shinier, down to scenic light boxes, light up poles, and kitsch fish storm water grates. Courting couples should descend for a sunset stroll and good value entrée Tasting Plate for Two ($38). It’s won, (somewhat surprisingly), by the Haloumi in Kataifi Pastry ($22) – though the Tea Smoked Salmon ($23) put up a decent fight. If it’s too cool for al fresco, snuggle up inside with a two-course Winter Special ($49/head). The Crispy Skin Barramundi ($37) pipped my salt meter with the black beans; a shame, as I loved the combination with Thai basil, bean shoots, bok choy and chilli. Perhaps err on the side of the Hereford Beef Fillet ($42) with olive and sage gnocchi, confit tomatoes and red wine jus. The big surprise of my visit was restaurateur and wine-lover Ramy Shelhot (ex-MoS Café) who’s put together a great list that includes personal cellar selections. I alternated between the quaffable, aromatic 2010 Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir ($55) and the seductive, cherry 2010 Dalrymple Pinot Noir ($64). Ramy also makes (arguably) the best Karmee Coffee ($5) in town…