The Falconer, Darlinghurst
I have always wondered about this place. It has been around for as long as I remember. Located on the bottom of Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, this restaurant is rather old looking, facade rather plain with a sliding door. However, once entering, the decor is that of a diner, reminds me a little of a diner in America. The cute booths, the bar at the front of the cafe, and the cute old looking typewriter near the entrance.
It was one of those days, I needed ME time. A couple of hours on my own where I can eat something yummy, drinking good coffee and read a book. So with my book ‘Shit my dad says’, I went to the Falconer and ate.
It was past midday, I was hoping to get some breakfast, however, they don’t serve all day breakfast. The only breakfast item on the menu was croque madame with kuributa ham, gruyere cheese and a fried egg. It sounded wonderful but I wanted something ‘healthier’.
Started with blood orange juice ($4.50) – I don’t think it is freshly squeezed, but it was still rather refreshing.
The confit duck with rocket, orange, tomatoes and pine nuts drizzled with vinaigrette ($16.50) had my name on it. Generous serving of shredded confit duck which was incredibly tender and succulent. I love the combination of duck and orange and the pine nuts a wonderful complement. It was exactly what I wanted. It was relatively healthy, light and incredibly filling!
The cappuccino ($3.80), smooth, strong and aromatic.
I love the old record player – strictly vinyl. The staff are dressed quite trendy, it has a very chill and cool vibe, very relaxing. I didn’t feel as though I was rushed or pushed, I sat there for almost two hours, eating and reading my wonderful book.
I came back a week later after a lunch gathering backfired, but I didn’t mind it so much. I wanted to go back to The Falconer to try their reuben sandwich ($14)- corned beef on a toasted sandwich with ‘kick arse’ horse radish pickles and a side of salad.
WOW! Thinly sliced corned beef, which was incredibly tender with generous dollop of horseradish cream and was it ‘kick arse’? It sure was! Deliciously creamy and a wonderful complement to the corn beef.
The pickles were extremely sour – made up for the sauerkraut. It was missing cheese – melted cheese, but it was still pretty good I thought. Delicious! Definitely worth coming back for.
There are many versions of Reuben sandwich, but a ‘true’ Reuben consists of corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese and russian dressing on toasted rye bread. I ‘may’ be on the hunt for the best Reuben sandwich. If you do know of a place, let me know!
The falconer is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
GA’s ratings: 7 / 10
The Falconer
31 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst, 2010
Ph: +61 2 9267 8434
I really liked the Falconer when I went. It looks like one of those places that there has been around for years, but I think it might ‘only’ be two or three?
With the cake counter and little tables upfront and booths at the back I think it has a split European / American feel going on depending on where you sit.
The food I had there was yummy.
P.S. John had a great post a while back on the reuben sandwiches across Sydney.
Hey RIchard, ya i can’t believe it has taken me that long to go – its just literary up the road from where I live! the food is reasonably priced and delicious! definitely going back! thanks, will check John’s post shortly!
Try the Reuben sandwich at Satellite cafe in Newtown’
hey michelle, thanks for the tip! will definitely check it out
i had a typewriter just like that! i sold it recently though hehe. i love it when a cafe has all these little cute things on display, even more so when its retro themed!
i still have one too! its sitting in mum’s garage! hahahahah