The Riverview Hotel ~ Birthday Dinner
So it was Jax birthday and I decided this year to take the initiative to plan everything… Her actual bday fell on a Thursday so we started off at one of my favourite restaurant: The Riverview Hotel. Uncle Gordon took MrErk and I there for the first time last year and I fell in love with this place… The guest list included the Birthday Girl aka Jax, Angus, Uncle G, Faith, MrErk and Myself…
This hidden treasure is located at 29 Birchgrove Road, Balmain, NSW 2041 or check out their website:
http://www.theriverviewhotel.com.au/
This part was copied straight out from their website: ”Established in 1880, The Riverview is a meticulously renovated historic hotel, a local landmark, nestled in the heart of Balmain. A favourite of locals since its inception, and situated over 2 levels in its cosy, quiet locale, the hotel combines bar, dining and lounging, creating the perfect atmosphere for all occasions. The “Riv” has evolved through changes spanning a couple of centuries, to become one of Sydney’s favourite hotels, melding its rich pub traditions with a quintessential local experience that only a true Balmain pub can offer.”
You can’t tell from the outside what amazing food lies inside in this two-storey historic hotel. As you enter the big red door you will have to on some nights gently push your way through the crowds into firstly the Bar and the Lounge on ground level before making your way upstairs before passing the giant knife, fork and spoon hanging by the wall into the Dining Room…
Ok, a quick background info about the “Riv”. Chef is Brad Sloane and the Riv has been awarded ‘Gastronomic Hotel Of the Year’ at the prestigious AHA 2009 Award for Excellence. As you enter into the Dining Room, you are given a warm welcome by the bar/wait staff. The service is fantastic and they are always so happy to suggest matching wines for your meals. The only downfall for me personally, was the stench as I entered the Bar downstairs. Maybe it’s the piping/sewer or purely just from the bathroom but heck I’m eating great food upstairs with another nice clean bathroom so I’m happy…
MrErk and I (with my persuasion mostly as always!) WE decided to order the Tasting Plate for Two simply because WE like having a variety plus I’m greedy… The Tasting Plate consisted of: Prawn Toast w Sweet Chilli / Mushroom & Pine Nut Arancini / Chicken Liver Parfait / Cornish Pastie w Red Onion Jam / Ocean Trout Tartare / Spanish Chicken & Chorizo Brochettes / House Marinated Olives = $42
First of all, it was HUGE! I would say enough to feed 3 and it was definitely a good choice. The prawn was nicely and lightly deep-fried, not oily at all. The Arancini balls had great flavours, the liver parfait smoooth, the pastie was a perfect match with the red onion jam, unfortunately I didn’t try the tartare but was informed that it was nice, the brochettes is probably my favourite I mean who doesn’t like meat cooked on a stick and lastly the olives which I also didn’t have as I simply just don’t like them ~ “The Olive Theory”
*Beetroot Carpaccio w Pickled Golden Beets, Radish & Goats Cheese Croustillant = $18
*Ocean Trout Gravlax w Apple, Crab & Celeriac Remoulade = $20
Humpty Doo Barramundi w Chorizo, Borlotti, Prawn & Mussel = $34
My Barra was perfectly cooked and definitely not shy with their portions, by the time I got to half way I was pretty much stuffed! The little chunks of chorizo along with the borlotti beans made it even more filling, it’s essentially a good balance with the lightness of the fish to match its hearty sides…
Dutton Park Duck Breast w Baby Beetroot, Carrot & Truffled Croquette = $34
Parsley Crusted Cowra Lamb w Shepherd’s Pie, Peas & Tomato Jam = $36
The lamb was cooked just the way it should be and matched the tomato jam nicely. I found the topping on the Shepherd’s Pie a little dry maybe because it was cold by the time I tasted it but overall it was very num num…
Needless to say after stuffing ourselves silly we didn’t/couldn’t/shouldn’t order any desserts but mostly because we had a birthday cake hidden in the kitchen…so we’ll definitely come back and order desserts the next time!
Cleanliness ~ No complaints from moi
Customer Service ~ Excellent and Attentive
Decor/Atmosphere ~ All I can describe is a warm glow that makes you feel like you’re somewhere else once inside the Dining Room
Food ~ DELICIOUS and very generous with their portions
Pricing ~ Entrees $18-$20 or $42 Tasting Plate (a must!) / Mains $28-$36
Notes ~ I’ve been advised that Chef Sloane changes his menus quite regularly so I’m waiting for my little bird to inform me when that happens so I can go again and experienc
