It is now one of Sydney’s more famous casual dining venues, but I have to say that Chiswick really is a perfect spot for a lazy Sunday lunch. With elegant, chic decor inside the glass filled dining room, the large windows allows all the beauty from the outside greenery and sunshine to stream in.
Instead of all ordering mains, we opted for a selection of small plates and a larger main to share and were not disappointed, as this allowed us to try more of the menu. First up, we had the addictive little Prawn Popcorn, which were lightly fried nibbles with juicy prawns inside and paired with a moreish spiced mayonnaise.
Prawn Popcorn, $16
The prawns were followed by the adorable Snow Crab Sliders, the fluffy mini buns sandwiching tasty crabcakes slathered with kewpie mayo, some gherkins and lettuce. These delicious little treats were gone in a flash.
Snow Crab Sliders, $11 each
Seared Scallops were up next, looking distinctively more adult and gourmet than the previous 2 dishes which had been good fun. Each scallop was succulent and tender, seared to perfection and the thin eggplant crisps were also a treat, along with the salty hits from the wafer thin slices of mojama (salt-cured tuna).
Seared Scallops, $24
The slivers of Vodka Cured Petuna Ocean Trout were delicate, but strongly flavoured and were a refreshing change from the richer seafood dishes we had so far. The freshness of the artistically arranged slices of cucumber and apple went well with the ocean trout, as did the sprigs of dill.
Vodka cured Petuna ocean trout, $24
Rounding off all the seafood for lunch, we also had the gourmet fish and chips option from the menu, which featured lightly Battered Flathead Fillets, chunky chips and a tangy tartare sauce. The flathead fillets were done well, but it’s hard to justify the price tag for essentially a fancier version of your standard fish and chips.
Battered Flathead Fillets and Chips, $31
The refreshing fruity floral notes of the Blueberry and Lavender home-made soda were also a hit with the table – it’s a drink I’d like to see on more menus around town!
Blueberry and lavender home-made soda, $7
Chiswick is certainly a pricey place for lunch and the portions aren’t large, but it’s worth a splurge every once in a while if you’re looking for somewhere special for a classy lunch and have a couple of hours to spend among all the greenery.
Chiswick
65 Ocean Street, Woollahra NSW 2025
Phone:(02) 8388 8688
