I’m writing this post up a second time because WordPress decided to delete 90% of my original post. Sad.
My long awaited visit to District Dining has finally arrived. After pushing my booking back for a week, I spent most of that week excited about my visit. It did not disappoint me in the least. District Dining has been one of the talks of the town since it opened a couple of months ago. It is one of the newest ventures by acclaimed Chef Warren Turnbull, head chef and owner of Assiette. I told the boyfriend about District Dining and he went twice with his colleagues before he went with me. They all loved District Dining since the prices are reasonable and it’s just around the corner from their office. The restaurant is tucked away in a side street, but still can be quite easily found. Exclusivity meets accessibility.
I love the Mondrian style artwork at the entrance.
The boyfriend and I dined at District Dining through Jump On It deal where it was $69 for two 3-course meals and a bottle of wine. The menu was as follows:
Entree:
Warren Turnbull’s selection of his favourites from the menu
Main, choice of:
Hiramasa kingfish, miso, radish salad, eggplant
Spiced pumpkin, marinated feta, honey, walnuts
Castricum lamb shoulder, cumin, honey, baby carrots
Dessert, choice of:
Efi’s rice pudding, cinnamon ice cream
Strawberries, raspberries, meringue, vanilla cream
Wine, choice of:
Bondeville Blanc. Grenache Blanc: Pineapple, grapefruit and fresh lime
Bondeville Rouge. Syrah: Medium bodied, dark fruits, cinnamon and spice
Bondeville Rouge. Syrah: Medium bodied, dark fruits, cinnamon and spice
I’m not a fan of wine. Actually, I’m not a big fan of alcohol. I let the boyfriend drink the wine and he managed to get through half before he felt a little bit tipsy. He felt the wine was quite strong and regretted not choosing the white wine.
Orange Juice $4.50
Bottled, not fresh. Still, it was nice and refreshing.
Warren Turnbull’s selection of his favourites from the menu
Veal Tongue, Pickled Turnip, Salsa Verde, Almonds
Now I know many people don’t like the idea of eating an animal’s tongue, but I have to say it is one of the most delicious parts of a cow or ox. This veal tongue was so soft. I could feel the tenderness as I pricked my fork into the tongue. The pickled turnip and the salsa verde worked well with the tongue.
Crispy Quail Eggs, Tarragon, Anchovy Mayonnaise
I would say this dish is like Quay’s Snow Egg. First you have the crispy outer layer, then when you crack into the centre, you find yourself faced with a perfectly cooked white and a runny yolk. Ultimately, it was like eating a deep fried poached egg. The mayonnaise provided the saltiness to this dish.
Smoked Eel Pate, Cucumber, Bread Roll
I don’t like pate, but I gave it a shot. The boyfriend, who doesn’t like seafood, enjoyed this dish. The sliced cucumber was quite refreshing though. That is all.
White Asparagus, Salmon, Radish, Citrus Salad
Yum, yum, yum! I love asparagus, and I love it even more when it is cooked properly. Quickly blanched enabling the vegetable to retain its crunch. The citrus salad is so appetizing and it worked quite well with the asparagus. This part was so moreish absolutely delicious. If you gave me a whole plate of this, I would gobble it down in no time. Downside is that it doesn’t seem to be on the menu.
Hiramasa Kingfish, Miso, Radish Salad, Eggplant
The fish was so well cooked, the fish was so moist and succulent. The crunchiness of the cucumber and radish give the dish some texture and pepperiness. The only thing I didn’t like about this dish was the eggplant and normally I love eggplant.
Castricum Lamb Shoulder, Cumin, Honey, Baby Carrots
It was SO soft. The lamb was cooked to perfection and it just melted in my mouth. The carrot puree was so smooth and silky, it just slides down your throat. The only off putting thing about this dish was an oily substance that was leeching from the puree or the lamb, it just went everywhere.
Strawberries, Raspberries, Meringue, Vanilla Cream
Who doesn’t love a pile of meringue, cream and fruit? This pile of strawberries, freeze dried raspberries and meringue covered in a mass of vanilla cream then topped with a quenelle of tart raspberry sorbet. This dessert was absolute heaven.
Efi’s Rice Pudding, Cinnamon Ice Cream
Efi’s Rice Pudding
This was the most creamiest and nicest rice pudding I have had in my life. It was not stodgy at all and was so moreish. If I could’ve licked the jar clean, I would have.
Cinnamon Ice Cream
This was served on a bed of cookie crumbs which gave it some texture. Just remember to try and eat all the ice cream before it melts all over the board, licking the board is not appealing to others.
Overall I loved this restaurant. The presentation of each dish is quite interesting and unique. Jar, chopping boards and even tin cans. The staff are quite friendly, especially our waitress Lauren. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone out there looking for a reasonably price meal. Many of Warren Turnbull’s dishes are cooked to perfection, I’m just picky. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the location is very convenient. I will be sure to return again. The boyfriend loves it even more than I do, he’s already been there four times!
Happy nom nom nom-ing!
District Dining
17 Randle Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
T: (02) 9211 7798
Oyster with chardonnay vinegar pearls and salmon roe
Caramelised pigs head and black pudding terrine, crunchy breaded ears, apple, celery, breakfast radish and red wine paint.
Crispy chicken wings, morel cream, sweet corn, jamon, scampi and shiso.
Mushroom pearl barley, parsley, fondant leeks, crispy enoki mushrooms and carrot air.
Roast king salmon, zucchini puree, cuttle fish, green olive jelly, coriander and popped skin.
Green beans with confit garlic, oregano and lemon.
Salad of pineapple, milk sorbet and macadamia nut praline.
Strawberry parfait, pistachio wafers, peppermint tea jelly and strawberry sorbet.
…and yes I did stay in the lines.
Happy nom nom nom-ing! 