HARTSYARD
Location: 33 Enmore Road, Newtown
Cuisine: Modern Australian
$$$ per person spent inc drinks: $65
A tucked-away, farmhouse kitchen dining experience in the middle of
Newtown… what’s new you say? We all expect the quirkiness of Newtown, the retro
vibe... So why not have a farm-inspired modern Australian, almost fine-dining
experience to add to the mix. Fouchebag DKay spotted this one afternoon
strolling around the hustle and bustle of nick-knack, bric-a-brac Newtown, and
added this fine number to our list and we are not complaining… Yes, outside
seems lacklustre, a shed-like exterior, but come inside the “farmhouse” friends
and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the ‘seed’ (starter type sharing
plates) and ‘feed’ (main course type sharing plates). Never judge a book by its
cover (great motto to live by!). OMG let’s get to the chase – you have to try
this place, it’s amazing! Special mention to the excellent service; our waiter
was brilliant! BUT there’s a hint to a good experience here… so enjoy the review :-)
AMBIENCE
Dels says ‘Nice cosy little place for winter meals in my
opinion. Nothing flashy, very simple but you don’t need to be fooled by amazing
décor in this place, the food is the main attraction’
DKay says ‘Blink and youmay miss the entrance to the
restaurant as the exterior slightly resembles that of a closed down shop but
once inside, it has a homely, warm farm vibe. Cosy & pleasant.’
Kaan
says ‘The restaurants location is in a random part of
Newtown. If you’re not careful you will easily miss this restaurant when
walking past. The front entrance blends in very well with the surrounding shops
(i.e. Op shops & African Hair Salons – to give you an idea). Personally I
think it adds to the charm of the place. You really feel like you have found an
untouched jewel in heart of Newtown. Once you walk in to the restaurant, you
are within a small intimate bustling restaurant. The décor fits in with the
theme of the menu (seeds & feeds) which is modern casual farm style
cooking.’
Bron says ‘For Newtown, and for the style of food, there’s a
fantastic vibe about this place! It just fits in… very cleverly decorated, you
do feel like you’re in a farmhouse kitchen in some ways – some quirky
industrial touches too! It’s nothing too fancy though, I’ve been to better set
out restaurants, and this won’t impress on a level that, say China Doll, will
provide, BUT I don’t think you’d come here for the ambiance in the first place…
its more about the food… trust me!’
FOOOODDDDD
We ordered:
Seeds (Entrees) to share
Salmon
Cooked in a Jar $19
Feeds (Mains) to share
Baked
Crepes $27
Fried
Chicken $28
Mackerel
$28
Smoked
Wagyu Brisket $30
Out to Pasture (Dessert) to share
Peanut
Butter + Banana Sundae $16
Deep
Fried Oreo $16
Carrot
Cake $16
Salmon
Cooked in a Jar $19
Dels says ‘From what I know, this salmon is placed in a jar
full of zesty, citrus'y fruit juices which cook the fish. This is how all salmon
should taste! If you like sashimi but dislike cooked salmon, you will enjoy
this like I did. This dish also came with rye crispbreads which were a little
hard but otherwise couldn’t fault this dish.’
DKay says ‘Light, fresh and lovely. All elements complement
each other perfectly.’
Kaan
says ‘This is the first time I have tried cooked salmon
this way. I think this style of cooking salmon is definitely a WINNER! The only let down was the rye bread that was
provided was too dry. To me it was bordering on stale! Apart from that the dish
was amazing.’
Bron says ‘I loved loved loved this dish. The salmon was
sooo succulent. Placed on the hard rye crispbread with the crème fraiche etc it
was just the perfect start to a beautiful meal. And well presented too!’
Baked
Crepes $27
Dels says ‘This is one dish packed full of flavour! It is
incredibly fresh & creamy & tastes like a very large ricotta cannelloni (but better). I didn't taste dandelion however (what do they even taste like?)
however was very impressed with the flavours. This is a very big portion and
will fill you up, best to share with 3 people.’
DKay says ‘I’d never had dandelions before so hence why this
dish captured my attention. Can’t say they taste of much but nevertheless it
was a good crepe. Loved the mushrooms. A heavy dish, make sure you share with
at least 4. Otherwise you’ll struggle to fit much more in and trust me, you’ll
want to!’
Kaan
says ‘I absolutely loved this dish. A very good serving
portion - it’s definitely a ‘BRO’ dish. If the menu wasn’t designed for
sharing, I could have had this on its own! This dish is also a very good
alternative to something without protein.’
Bron says ‘Wow, a party in your mouth! Full of flavour but I
must say, this is a dish best served between four. It’s just too much flavour
to handle in big doses.’
Fried
Chicken $28
Dels says ‘When the waiter suggested this is one of their
most popular dishes, we knew we had to order it. OH MY GOODNESS this is the
best chicken Ive ever eaten! The batter was crispy, just right and definitely
didn’t over power the taste of the juicy chicken! Absolutely divine! The sausage
gravy? Possibly the best sauce Ive ever tasted. Absolutely delicious. ‘
DKay says ‘Recommendation from the waiter. I can understand
its popularity. A light coat of batter, fried to perfection. The gravy is great
but not necessary as the chicken is well seasoned and cooked to perfection.
Yum!’
Kaan
says ‘OK – I’m putting it out there, this is the best
fried chicken in Sydney. Nothing comes close! The fried chicken is like
something you would get from a American southern style small town diner. I felt
like I was in the states! The chicken was juicy and it was very crispy on the
outside. It also did not taste greasy at all. The sauce was also the perfect
combo with this dish. The only thing is this dish needs to be shared or you
will feel overloaded with fried chicken.’
Bron says ‘It’s the biscuit and the gravy that makes this
dish. OK so it’s great fried chicken, but honestly… I quite like Kentucky fried
chicken. I can’t say that it wouldn’t give me the same satisfaction. So why
come to hartsyard for the fried chicken? I’m just saying… its nice, but you can
get the family box at KFC for $20. Haha’
Mackerel
$28
Dels says ‘We wanted to give this a go as chorizo and
mackerel together was intriguing, however Hartyard were once again bang on the
money with another great dish. The tomato soaked bread with chorizo was divine,
the clams tasty. I found the mackerel very salty and fishy in flavour however
if you do like the taste of mackerel normally, you will love this dish. If not,
portion less of the mackerel.’
DKay says ‘My favourite dish of the night. Mackerel is a
strong flavoured fish but combined with the aioli, tomatoes, chorizo &
clams (interesting combo but works!) it was just a perfect balance of flavours.
Super tasty. And the bread, soaked in the juices.... Sooooo good!’
Kaan
says ‘I’m
normally not a big fan of mackerel. I was very surprised with this dish.
I actually really enjoyed it and I think it was due how the fish was prepared.
Unlike the salmon in a jar, it was very dry and had different spices rubbed on
it. If I was going to eat mackerel again, it would be this dish.’
Bron says ‘Wow, one of the best fish dishes I have had out.
Just beautiful! The grilled bread and aioli was so delish – perfect accompaniments!’
Smoked
Wagyu Brisket $30
Dels says ‘This is a very big portion, I think its too big
for 2 people if you want to try some other dishes with it. The wagyu was thinly
sliced and boasting great flavour. The kale and fried tomatoes a nice
companion. A great dish also, just not as exciting as the others we previously
tried.’
DKay says ‘Well smoked and so tender – the pickled tomatoes
added a nice bite to the dish. A decent portion size too. It was a shame that
it was the last dish to come out and by then I was quite full so I didn’t give
the dish the full appreciation it deserved,’
Kaan
says ‘Another dish that was a winner. Probably one of
the nicest brisket meats I have had for a very long time. I hate it when
restaurants serve brisket with the fat still around it. Harts Yard made sure
the fat was removed, is was also drizzled with an amazing sauce that completed
the dis.’
Bron says ‘I was getting quite full by this dish to be
honest. It’s a lot of meat – expertly cooked to perfection and I loved the tomatoes.
But again, I must emphasise that it’s best to go in groups to enjoy this
restaurant. It’s best to share!’
Peanut
Butter + Banana Sundae $16
Dels says ‘Yummy dessert for those who like icecream and
peanut butter. Little peanutty bits in the sundae were a nice touch. Nothing
special though and very sweet.’
DKay says ‘By comparison, the least exciting of all the
desserts (I am so going back and trying the brulee!). It was very rich - good
thing we were sharing between 4 of us. If you love peanut butter, you will love
this.’
Kaan
says ‘Probably my favourite dish of the night but the
reality is that I could be easily won over by a decent desert. Firstly, this
desert is not for everyone as it is very rich and creamy but I love this kind
of deserts and I loved every spoonful! Each spoonful had a different texture
which I quite enjoyed.
Bron says ‘YUCK! Far too sweet and sticky for me. I did not
enjoy this much at all. You have to love SWEEEEEET to enjoy this.’
Deep
Fried Oreo $16
Dels says ‘Whoever thought to deep fry oreos is a genius.
Literally every drop was scraped off the plate with this one!’
DKay says ‘Best dessert of the lot. Who doesn’t like Oreos,
let alone deep fried Oreos ice cream? A little too sweet for me though.’
Kaan
says ‘Another desert that I enjoyed allot. The way they
served the Oreo’s two-ways made this a very uniquely delightful dish. The only
slight let down
with this dish was the serving size.’
Bron says ‘I quite liked this – I love oreos as it is, and
the oreo ice-cream was a delight! I think sharing this is a good idea again, if
you have a sweet tooth, but not in favour of too much sweet’.
Carrot
Cake $16
Dels says ‘This was the most disappointing dish of the
evening as I am a lover of carrot cake. It was more like a deconstructed carrot
cake and it didn’t do anything to satisfy my love for the dessert. In saying
that, I was comparing to some of the most amazing food I had eaten earlier that
night… ‘
DKay says ‘I’m not a fan of carrot cake usually and have to
say this didn’t change my mind. It was over de-constructed and not all the
textures worked. A little OTT.’
Kaan
says ‘This was the lease favourite dish of the night
for me. Harts Yard try too hard to reinvent an old classical desert. I really
thought there was too much happening on the dish and that the flavours did not
mix really well. The flavours were at too extremes, from really savoury to
really overly sweet.’
Bron says ‘I fought the others over this dish, and I regret
it. It’s a deconstructed carrot cake that has forgot what makes carrot cake
amazing. It was just a disaster – looked good on the plate, but as soon as you
had a mouthful you regret the calories. Take it off your menu Hartsyard, or
rethink you take on it. Carrot cake is meant to be delicious!’
VINNOOOOOOOOO
Kaan,
Bron, Dels ordered the following wine:
2011 Limbo ‘Que Pasa’ Tempranillo $11
Dels says ‘Full
bodied, fruity Spanish red. Cant go wrong with this one.
2011 Stoney Rise Chardonnay $10.50
Bron says ‘
2011 Le Moire ‘Annibale’ Magliocco $9
Bron says ‘
OVERALL TEAM
VIEWSSSS
Dels says ‘Hartsyard is in my top 3 fav restaurants after
this visit. How could every dish taste so amazing? I don’t think Ive had an
experience like it before. The staff are extremely friendly and very
knowledgeable, vast knowledge of the wines as well . The restaurant is small
and cozy; the food UNBELIEVABLE! The prices fantastic for the quality of food
and portion sizes. Best to go here as a group so you can try as many dishes as
possible, and the fact that everything is made to share, makes it perfect.
Loved this place! Love love love!’
DKay says ‘Though I wasn’t a huge fan of their dessert
selection, I could not fault the seed & feed plates. I LOVED them all! Plus
there’s so much more I want to try! The environment was friendly, comfortable
and vibe was relaxed. Make sure you go
with a minimum of 4 people. 4-6 is ideal as their dishes are all made for
sharing and very healthy portion sizes! Actually, if you need to make up the
numbers, I’m more than happy to fill that spot.;-).’
Kaan
says ‘Hartsyard is a hidden gem in the inner west. If
you are visiting the Newtown area or going to a show at the famous Enmore Theatre,
then you need to visit this place for a meal! You won’t be disappointed. Make
sure you book. A great place to interact with friends while dining out.’
Bron says ‘Come here with a minimum of 4 people… come with
friends who enjoy great food! There is something for everyone! This is one of
my favourite places in Sydney now – for the food. Not the ambiance, purely the
food J. Oh and
beware, when booking, tell them you wont leave by a certain time, because their
popularity is increasing with every delectable dish served, and as such, you
could be forced to move to a different seat at the bar (not as nice). That’s my
tip’
KAAN WILL SHELVE (i.e. not very good)
1. Oh darn HARTSYARD! We cannot
fault this place besides the Carrot Cake… ok yes, the Carrot cake is shelved.
Sorry!
AND THE FARMERS BEST AWARD GOES TO:
Dels says ‘Fried Chicken closely followed by the salmon. Or
the whole menu!’
DKay says ‘hard to pick but Mackerel just got in.
Kaan
says ‘I’m tossing up between the Baked Crepes or the
Peanut Butter + Banana Sundae. But only because I’m a fully-fledged dessert-obsessed
person. On a very close call, I’m going to go with the amazing Sundae. This dessert
is a place of heaven packed in a sundae bowl!’
Bron says ‘What a tough choice…I’d say try everything… but
since it has to be one… I would have to say the Mackerel… yes, a fish dish! Can
you believe it! Make sure you try it J’
Team meets late Feb…
Hint : A type of Tea
Date we visited Hartsyard: 23
January 2013
Something we’d like to add: So as
not to ‘sway’ our feelings on certain food/places etc we try not read other
reviews on the places we visit. We want to give you an honest point of view
from our “inexpert” taste buds and don’t want to give away too much either, we
just want to share an honest experience, and the rest is up to you aspiring
Fouchebags J to enjoy!
