Merivale Feast for the Senses at Bistro CBD

5 Freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters with golden shallot dressing and lemon

What could be better than having 2 course meal plus a glass of wine for just AUD 39? Okay, there are alot of things that could be better, but hey, this is quite a good deal. Merivale is having its promotion again. Today is the official launch party, I heard. Anyway, I really liked the design and atmosphere of the CBD Bistro and the bar downstairs. I could definitely come back here for some drinks.

Shiraz

So, having been prodded to decided a few days earlier on what I would order, I had oysters for appetizer and grilled sirloin for entrée. Since I was having the sirloin, I opted for a glass of red wine. There were 5 of us and we all brought our cameras. We were snapping pictures (not all at the same time!!) when one Mr. Howard Flannagan from Northern Ireland (or so he claimed) tried to charge us for taking pictures. He was kidding of course. He then proceeded that we better have a blog, well lucky for him and Merivale, two of us do. So here it is Mr. Howard, a free publicity on your charming hospitality and the dinner. Unfortunately, he adamantly refused to have his picture taken and posted on this blog. So, if you are curious you just have to go there and check him out for yourself. Oh! Perhaps this is one of his marketing tactics?! Just kidding.

Soy and linseed sourdough

It has been a while since I had some fresh oysters and I was delighted that the oysters were fresh! It tasted so fresh and almost creamy. My complain? There were only 5! Upon finding out that I have a blog, our charming Irishman proceeded to tell me where the oysters were from. Merimbula, South coast of New South Wales. I love my food, but I am not at that stage yet where I could distinguish how oysters from different coastal region could taste different. Nevertheless, it's good to know so that next time I could look up these oysters again.

Grilled sirloin steak, pomme frites (missing), watercress and chimmi churi

Steak, ah, who could ever resist red meat? Not this girl. The steak was juicy and tender. I asked for medium, which upon consideration I could have been a little more adventurous and asked for medium rare. The watercress was yummy, it was salty which was good for me since I love salty stuff, but I think for other people it might have been a tad too salty. The meat, the watercress and the chimmi churi sauce made a great combination of taste though. I thoroughly enjoyed that. However, I wondered where was my pomme frites? It said so on the menu on their website....

Roast beetroot, spiced duck breast, rocket, and pear salad

Crisp skin ocean trout, fennel puree and zucchini fritter

The other ladies had duck, either as appetizer or as entrée. I was the only one not having duck the whole night, now that I think about it. They said that the duck salad was great, but there wasn't a lot of duck. I tried the trout and I think it tasted fantastic. Some of the pictures are quite dark and I apologize for that. I accidentally put the wrong setting and only realized it at the end of the meal.

Vanilla meringue, passionfruit curd and fresh cream

It was a great meal. The food was good, company was great and the staff were amazing. One Mr. Howard Flannagan is a core competency of Bistro CBD if I may say. He was friendly and engaged his patrons making their stay comfortable. Its a rare treat to have this kind of hospitality and it was refreshing to have. The last time I had this kind of hospitality was at a boutique resort in Central Java. I dread to give away the name as I want to keep it a secret. So back to the Irishman, he even arranged for us to meet the chef. Love my foods & sugar even got a chance to take a picture of Chef Simun Dragicevich in action, check out her blog for pictures. Sometimes, a restaurant could have amazing food, but if the staff aren't hospitable, its a flop. But a restaurant with a decent meal and amazing staff, that's something else. In the case of Bistro CBD, food great and the staff is great. Especially when it's on a promotion! Which is why, we are going back next week, to MadCow. Mr. Flannagan, do hook us up.

Bistro CBD

Level 1, 52 King St

Sydney, NSW 2000

+61 2 9240 3000

Correction: The oysters were from Merimbula not from Narooma as previously posted. Thanks Mr. Flannagan for the correction.