84 Union Street, Pyrmont
Friday, September 16, 2016
Located
just a stone's throw away from the bustle of Darling Harbour, 84 Union Street
occupies the space where the old Hog's Breath Café used to be, before it was
transformed late last year. The space is busy on a Friday night, full of people
easing their way into the weekend.
There is a
distinct, tropical Australiana feel about the restaurant and bar. Aussie
landscapes are painted across the walls, along with green grapevines and fairy
lights that hang from the ceiling. The bar in the middle of the space is framed
by grey corrugated iron, and lights up blue in the dim evening light. It's a
casual local pub that does more than just offer drinks and pub meals; the menu
is a culinary mix of different cuisines that is sure to suit every stomach.
As well as an
extensive 'tapas' menu, which lists sharing plates, there are wok-fried Asian
favourites such as Nasi Goreng and Pad Thai, as well as more traditional
classics like schnitzel, burgers and grilled steaks. The drinks menu also has a
number of unique and intriguing cocktails.
Beluga Moscow Mule ($22)
A refreshing
concoction of mint, ginger beer and a hint of Beluga Vodka, this cocktail is
dangerously addictive. I love both ginger beer and mint, so this was the ideal
drink for me. It comes in a fitting Russian mule cup filled with lots of
crushed ice, and is adorned with a bunch of fresh mint.
A take on the popular Negroni, this has a distinct sour, bitter cherry flavour mixed with Burleigh's gin. Although I am sure this is a very popular drink, I am not sure I like the strong flavour as it is a little too much for me. I do, however, love the novelty ice cube that sits in the glass, which is shaped like a skull!
84 Union tasting place ($38, to share)
This crowd-pleasing
plate has some of their most popular tapas-style bites that are perfect for
nibbling on.
Crispy pork belly bites, cheese & spinach
arancini
Nuggets of pork
belly are twice-cooked to create a crispy, caramelised, crispy outer. They are
very moreish indeed, and have a rich, sweet flavour that comes from the oyster
sauce and shao hsing rice wine. The spinach arancini are plump specimens, best
eaten with a squeeze of lemon and dipped into the accompanying tangy blue
cheese sauce.
Crispy mini tacos
The idea of both
smoking and pulling chicken is a little
out of the ordinary. The result is a paste-like meat with a texture and flavour
that is similar to that of tuna. It's quite intriguing! The pulled chicken
comes smug in a crispy mini taco boat, with smooth pureed avocado and fresh
herbs.
Crispy dumplings
Deep fried dumplings
always make a winning tapas plate addition. These have a chicken and
shiitake mushroom filling, and come with a soy-based dipping sauce.
Roasted duck spring rolls ($18.90)
A delicious
combination of roasted duck, woody ear mushrooms and glass noodles forms the
filling of these handmade spring rolls. They're shatteringly crisp, and come
with a cauliflower piccalilli. I love the meatiness of the duck in these.
Chilli & Garlic Prawns ($22.90)
Warning: these are
not for the garlic-averse. The fragrant smell attracts our noses as soon as
they're placed on the table. Cooked in a garlic and chilli oil along with bean
sprouts and fresh herbs, the Tiger prawns are meaty and pungent. Should you
crave an extra garlic hit, the accompanying garlic bread is buttery and crisp,
although a little on the harder side.
Wok tossed street style Pad Thai ($15.90)
Everyone's favourite
Thai street food is tangy and vibrant, with a subtle smoky flavour. The chicken is not
too dry and the fresh bean sprouts adds a layer of texture to slippery noodles.
Crispy skin Tasmanian salmon ($32)
A perfectly golden,
crispy-skinned fillet of salmon is laid atop a bed of chat potatoes, with an
eye-popping carrot and orange puree and tomato salsa salad. The fish is cooked
to perfection, and goes well with the sweet puree and fresh salad greens. A small
piece of prosciutto laid on top adds a hit of saltiness to this fresh, healthy
dish.
Blueberry Brulee Cheesecake ($13.90)
A classic piece of
cheesecake is topped with berry compote and vanilla ice cream, which helps cut
through the richness. It has a slight brulee-like top, which is a nice twist,
however because it is not quite caramelised enough it's hardly noticeable.
If you are looking
for a casual, crowd-pleaser pub close to Darling Harbour and Pyrmont, then 84
Union Street is a good option. It's not quite like the revamped, hipster pubs
of late, but the nostalgic, slightly corny Aussie outback decorations and cross-cuisine
fusion menu will definitely have you smiling.
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