Bel Mondo

A delightful Sydney restaurant icon that I had never explored until Friday this week. We went for a work function and my was it a delicious wintry day in Sydney to be out of the office. Making our way down Gloucester walk, blink and you might miss this place, nestled away inconspicuously in a corner. Beyond the doorway however, is a massive space, with a well stocked bar and dotted luxury chairs and chiffon drapes from the high ceiling beams to the floor.

We are hurried along to the dining area screened behind those mysterious drapes. Drenched in sunlight, we were seated next to windows that opened up to this delightful view:

Yes the window needed a clean

 I started with a beautifully plated up entree that looked like a little garden on the plate. Although there was a distinct fishy smell as the plates were set down, the flavours were vibrant enough to the palate and was fresh after all.

Juniper cured regal salmon with alaskan king crab, orange, fennel & horseradish

 Don't fret, my stomachline didn't take all three of these mains, but I am assured by those that tried them that they were gorgeous combinations on the plate. My own gnocchi was light and fluffy with a tinge of the sweetness of the purple congo. Very pleased with my vegetarian choice. The sides we selected are rather rich, bordering on French styled cooking, I took a second helping of the mash, which in hindsight, my hips are not any wiser for and it was well worth the deed.

Pan fried fillet of barramundi with butternut squash, figs & proscuitto, burnt toast jus

Slow cooked lamb shoulder with pea & mint risotto, caramelised garlic & honey purée

Potato purée with truffle & parmesan butter &
Cucumber salad with persian feta & white balsamic made the most decadent sides

Sautéed purple congo gnocchi with wild mushrooms, snow peas & toasted almond foam

I really liked the style of desserts in Bel Mondo where almost every dessert was accompanied by a herb of sorts. My particular plate was very little sweet and more sour and bitterness, but it acted as a delightful palate cleanser and I did not feel disgusted with myself after polishing off the plate as I know I would have if I had caved for the Dark chocolate fondant with beetroot, raspberry, marjoram & cardamom that my neighbour was spooning oozes of into her mouth.

Lemongrass & bergamot parfait with black sesame ice cream, hazelnut praline

& lime leaf granita

Being teased for being a food picture taker. LOL

After the long boozy lunch, we were given the rest of the day off and because I had a do to attend at Assemby Bar, what was a girl to do with the spare time to hang out in the city? Hit up the Westfield shops of course!

Some basics for layering in winter. $60 poorer but hopefully will solve the problem of not having anything to wear!