Gastronomous Anonymous

Still one of my favourite tapas place in Sydney. I have lost count how many times I have visit this place, however, when I heard that both Nic Wong and Joel Humpreys has left and that both Elvis Abrahnowicz and Ben Milgate are back I had to return. I loved the menu when they first opened and what they have done with Porteno, so I knew I was in for a real treat. Bodega has been opened since 2006, and recently undergone a new face lift and a new menu! Even the bar area in the other room has gone, and there are now more tables, hopefully the queues won’t be as long!

I came here for lunch with a dear friend, S. Everything on the menu sounded good, I really wanted to eat everything  but my eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach! It’s also hard to try everything with two people, no doubt I will return.

We started with lamb empanada, mint yogurt ($6.50), the empanada was fantastic, the lamb flavour was subtle and I adored the mint yogurt.

Next the grilled calamari, pickled tomato, ink, water cress ($18). The grilled calamari was cooked to perfection, soft and tender and the pickled tomato was incredibly sour that it sent shivers down my spine but in a good way. It really complemented the calamari well.

We received complimentary pork sausage, chili sofrito, pickles, butter lettuce as our next order took a while which I thought was very generous of them! We didn’t even notice but it’s nice that they did.  We were told to wrap the sausage, and pickles with lettuce and eat it like sang choy bau – oh my. The pork sausage was incredibly tender, the chili sofrito really gave it a nice touch.

The dish we were waiting for, wagyu skirt steak, roast pepper and chipotle béarnaise ($28) – OH MY FRIGGING GOD! Elvis and Ben really do know how to cook steak! The steak was cooked to perfection and the chipotle béarnaise was to die for – creamy, delicious and wonderful. I could have eaten the béarnaise on my own and licked the plate! It was heavenly.

For dessert we thought we would share ‘banana split’ cream flan, banana marshmallow, dulce de leche ice cream ($16) – again – OH MY FRIGGING GOD! The cream flan oh so creamy, the banana marshmallow wonderful and the highlight, dulce de leche ice cream with mashed bananas – not only are they good with their steak but desserts also!

I have always enjoyed my meal at Bodega, and having both Ben and Elvis back, they have seriously taken this place to another level! I can’t wait to try their other dishes – the buttermilk pancake, salt cod, egg, smoked maple butter looked divine! Seriously, if you have been you are definitely due for another visit, and if you haven’t – I would suggest getting your arse there! You are in for a real treat!

This was my local when we lived in Surry Hills, if we weren’t moving, I could definitely see myself coming here every day and trying something new every time! Returning this Friday for lunch so stay tune for more delicious goodness!

GA’s ratings: 9 / 10

Bodega

216 Commonwealth Street

Surry Hills 2010

Ph: +61 2 9212 7766