V Rating: V-ware
Where: Fifth Floor, Customs House, 31 Alfred St. Circular Quay.
When: Mon - Fri: Noon - late. Sat: 5pm - late. Sun: Noon for lunch only.
Tel: (02)9251 8683
Price: Appetisers: $22 - $26. Main: $28-$29.

Cafe Sydney was the venue for a dinner with work colleagues this week. At the high end of the Sydney restaurant scene, it boasts beautiful views of the Sydney Opera House and harbour from the top of Circular Quay’s renovated Customs House. Enjoy the view because there’s little by way of choice for vegetarian folk.

A quick squiz of the menu revealed no vegetarian entrees and a single choice for mains. After explaining my predicament to an attentive waiter, he suggested the cured meat and roasted pear salad with the meat removed. I’m not a big fan of modified meals. Meat eaters don’t have to ask for their meals to be modified when they go out for dinner, so why should I?

But mindful of the need to eat, I took the waiter’s suggestion and also ordered the “roast garlic gnocchi with pumpkin sage and cashew pesto, taleggio and nut brown butter” for main course.

The pear salad was dressed with a reduced balsamic vinegar and was tasty enough. The gnocchi though was ultra-rich and a little oily. I put my plate aside after a while and filled up on naan bread and steamed greens instead.

The wine we chose from the extensive wine list was excellent. But typical of the top end of town, the meal was very disappointing as despite the best efforts of the waiting staff, the menu made no effort to cater for vegetarians. V-ware.

Barry R. Reviewed 12/07/06.

Share This