Subsolo - Spanish & Portuguese - Possible Vampire Hangout

Subsolo http://www.subsolo.com.au/

Location: CBD, near Martin Place

Cuisine: Spanish & Portuguese

$$$ per person spent inc drinks: $70

Hola! We were so looking forward to this... Located on a quietish street just around the corner from Martin Place, there was a bit of construction on the outside going in, but perhaps that added to the ambience of the place.... it could very possibly be the next venue for a Vampire movie. The restaurant is underground, dark and decadent... There's no clear direction in the decor with very modern red swirling lights scatter the ceiling, while large sexy black chandeliers are placed strategically over the wine bar and little red velvet VIP booths. The general restaurant seating was very relaxed though, nothing spesh, and the Spanish tunes cha-cha-ing quietly in the background added to a relaxed atmosphere.  

AMBIENCE (Sey)

Dels says 'I love the New York feel of the place.

DKay says 'Sleek in parts but mismatched decor’

Kaan says 'I would call this place the New York comedy club where Seinfeld did his comedy show. Back to the 90s'

Bron says '7/10 I loved the chandelier booths and the wine bar!'

FOOOODDDDD

We ordered (entree size for 4 peeps):

Baby Squid & Shaved Chorizo Salad with Roasted Garlic $22

Crunchy Bacalao (Salt-Cod) Croquettes on Aioli $24

Baked Piquillo Peppers with Goats Cheese & Roasted Pinenuts $26

Crumbed Meatballs with Melting Manchego Cheese Centres $26

Field Mushrooms filled with Pistachio & Currant Couscous $21

2 x CHARCOAL SPIT-ROASTED ESPETADAS - Rump, Chorizo, Chicken & Morcilla $36

Crema Catalana with Quince Purée Bruleéd at your table $15

Churros filled with Dulce de Leche & Spanish Chocolate Sauce $16

Baby Squid & Shaved Chorizo Salad with Roasted Garlic $22

Dels says 'Ive had better squid here before. Didn’t taste like the freshest squid, was a bit tough and  I didn’t like the batter'

DKay says 'Had better. Lacked taste’

Kaan says 'Not worth $22 bucks! Worst dish of the night'

Bron says ' Not a fan! Tasted like the squid had been in the freezer for a while '

Crunchy Bacalao (Salt-Cod) Croquettes on Aioli $24

Dels says 'Absolutely loved these. They weren’t too fishy in taste, light and fluffy on the inside'

DKay says 'I’m not a croquette fan but at least it had flavour’

Kaan says 'Two words - top notch! Best croquettes I've had in a long time'

Bron says 'I loved the Aioli, these were nice. But nothing too spesh... I've had better Croquettes before'

Baked Piquillo Peppers with Goats Cheese & Roasted Pinenuts $26

Dels says 'The goats cheese is not too overpowering, all the ingredients compliment eachother. Was yummy for sure'

DKay says 'Not what I expected visually but one of the better tapas’

Kaan says 'Great runner up to the croquettes. Very tasty'

Bron says 'Yum! It didnt look too appetising BUT goats cheese, pine nuts and peppers - YUMMO!'

Crumbed Meatballs with Melting Manchego Cheese Centres $26

Dels says 'My favourite dish of the night! Probably some of the best meatballs Ive eaten out.'

DKay says 'Cheesy centres a winner'

Kaan says 'Best dish of the night! Could have eaten the whole plate by myself.'

Bron says 'Favourite dish! I'd come back for this dish - melting cheese centres, delish! Something you'd expect from an Italian place though...'

Field Mushrooms filled with Pistachio & Currant Couscous $21

Dels says 'Was lacking in flavour. I needed to add salt and pepper to it.'

DKay says 'Bland bland bland. Total disappointment’

Kaan says 'I enjoyed this, the only thing missing was cheese on top;

Bron says ' Waste of time! I couldve cooked this in my kitchen...'

2 x CHARCOAL SPIT-ROASTED ESPETADAS - Rump, Chorizo, Chicken & Morcilla $36

Dels says 'The beef didn’t have flavour, the chicken was OK considering it was thigh meat but the chorizo was my favourite'

DKay says 'Meats poorly cooked. Beef was way over done’

Kaan says 'Very disappointing! I've had much better Portuguese skewers at our local Portuguese restaurant'

Bron says ' Way too much food! The wow factor is the skewer, the meat ain't that good'

Crema Catalana with Quince Purée Bruleéd at your table $15

Dels says 'It was light, delicious and a perfect end to a meal. Very cool to see it torched at our table too.'

DKay says 'Very very tasty. But there was quince?’

Kaan says 'Perfectly cooked and prepared! Loved the way they presented it!'

Bron says 'Not only was it funky to get your Creme Bruleed at our table but it was delish too!'

Churros filled with Dulce de Leche & Spanish Chocolate Sauce $16

Dels says 'The perfect churro needs to be hard on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside and there aren’t many places (in Australia) where you can get it with the Dulce De Leche through the middle. These churros were made perfectly, very yummy!!'

DKay says 'The honey nougat ice cream...mmm...’

Kaan says 'Give me three more. fullstop. Worth every calorie!'

Bron says 'Dough-ey, goey yet crunchy Churros were great! Amazeballs ice-cream! BUT not a fan of the choc sauce!'

VINNOOOOOOOOO

Bron and Dels ordered the following wines:

Telmo Rodriguez – LZ 2009 Joven Tempranillo – Rioja A fresh, light & concentrated unwooded Tempranillo. Impeccable fruit, meaty & earthy with hints of licorice & cola at the finish. Bron _ DELISH - a must if you love tasting something different! I tasted gorgeous rasperry, and the cola undertone was amazing!_ Evodia, 2008 Grenache - Calatayud                                                                       $12            From up to 100 year old vines, planted on pure slate, un-oaked Grenache. A nose of spice & cherry with mineral notes. Juicy with black & red berries, pepper & licorice on the palate Bron _ Easy drinking wine, but not too sure it was worth the $12 per glass_ Beronia,                                                                                                $14 2006 Tempranillo/Grenache/Mazuelo – Rioja Traditional style, Crianza refined, well balanced with mocha, savoury cherry& mulberry characters. Dels _ Easy drinking wine, but not too sure it was worth the $14 per glass_

$14

OVERALL TEAM VIEWSSSS

Dels says 'I think this is the perfect place to enjoy wine/cocktails with tapas, but I would skip dinner, not worth it"

DKay says 'No churros for this place. Nothing was spectacular for me. Sub par!’

Kaan says 'Wouldnt go for the skewers! Too pricey overall but the dessert and the croquettes are well worth it!'

Bron says 'Glad to say I've done it, but won't be going back for seconds. I would recommend you book a chandelier booth with some friends, and go for the wine! Tapas to line your stomach :)'

KAAN WILL SHELVE (i.e. not very good) 

1. the skewers
2. the mushrooms
3. the squid (double shelve!)
4. the price

AND THE GOLDEN CHURROS GOES TO:

Dels says 'Brulee-ing at the table for sure!'

DKay says 'No golden churros for this place. Nothing was spectacular for me. Sub Par!'

Kaan says 'The dessert and croquettes - salt cod is usually way too salty but these were cooked to perfection'

Bron says 'Brulee-ing at the table! And the wine... yum!'

Team meets next month - keep you posted....

Hint : Charlottes Web ;P

Date we visited Subsolo: 08/08/2012