The owners of The Hazy Rose cocktail bar have recently opened a new restaurant situated underneath, appropriately calling it Downstairs Restaurant, offering modern British fare. It’s even decked out in theme, from the bowler hat lamp shades to seating booths with curtains (like those on UK trains) to give it a British feel.
Twice Cooked Veal Tongue – $15
We sampled the veal tongue which was served with onion puree, pickled beetroot, watercress and gravy. For those who have never tried eating tongue, it’s soft and succulent compared to a lot of other cuts of meat, and goes well with the sweetness from the beetroot.
Warm Asparagus – $16
There’s also the the asparagus with beetroot, granny smith, crème fraîche and puy lentil dressing. It’s not as flavoursome as the veal tongue and I thought it was quite a simple dish.
Pork Tenderloin – $27
The pork tenderloin is a winner though, coming with crumbed belly, honey glazed chicory, pear, fennel and celery salad. A nice mix of textures, from the soft pork to the crunchy pork croquette and the side salad.
Cauliflower Cheese, Hazelnut Crumb – $8
Kale, Almond Butter – $8
If that’s not enough, indulge in some sides as well. The cauliflower is deliciously cheesy with hazelnut undertones and is a winner on the table. Although the kale is probably healthier, it didn’t taste anywhere as good – serve me up some more cauliflower cheese any day!
Overall, a nice, quaint addition to the area. Great to stop by for a small meal before hitting up The Hazy Rose upstairs for some cocktails.
Downstairs Restaurant
83 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Ph: 0420 645 373
I am really keen to try the veal tongue and the price seems so reasonable.