Shannon C.
Yelp
I'm not afraid to admit it. I sometimes dream of cheese. Pale, gooey parcels of creamy deliciousness....mmm....heaven. In fact, I'd go so far as to say my last meal would be cheese. So, when I heard the man behind Table for 20 and Sticky Bar, Michael Fantuz, had teamed up with Marcelo Garrao and Peter Kypreos and turned his mind to a restaurant/wine bar focusing on cheese (and not just any cheese, we're talking Buffalo Mozzarella, flown in three times a week direct from Italia itself), I just knew this would be my kind of place.
The Buffalo Dining Club opened in January 2012, tucked away at the old Bugerman site in Darlinghurst. It's a two level affair, with a dining room upstairs, and more of a bar set up downstairs. The place is on the cosy side, with a blackboard menu, dark walls and exposed lights hanging from the ceiling. It's warm and welcoming and not at all pretentious.
Mr S and I arrive this Thursday evening, early enough to secure a prize table downstairs. We are greeted by the man himself, who ensures we are well looked after, as he does with all of his customers.
Michael suggests we start with a Spritzer. We are easily convinced. Turns out this is a Venetian Spritz - a refreshingly bitter, sparkling nectar which goes down a treat.
The wine list is reasonably priced, from the super cheap 500ml carafe at $20, to a few good bottles around the $40-$60 mark. We decide on a local Pinot, turns out it's made by Michael's godfather.
Michael delivers to us a passionate description of his blackboard menu. Just listening to him talk about the food makes our mouths water and his excitement rubs off on us.
You order your Mozzarella centerpiece with your choice of two sides. This is indeed the stuff dreams are made of, and we quickly forget about the carbon footprint left by our beloved balls of Mozzarella to make their way onto our plates. Or, you might prefer to try my favourite - Burrata, made from a solid Mozzarella outer layer, with an inside of Mozarella mixed with cream....mmm....I still dream about a Burrata and fig entree I had some years ago.
After our well placed recommendations, we decide to share a Mozzarella, a Buratta, and 4 sides, as well as 30 grams of San Danielle (an Italian ham).
Our sides are:
Polenta & Gorgonzola
Roasted Pumpkin with Spelt and Rocket
Grilled Brocollini
Potato Croquette
When our food arrives, on mis-matched plates, Mr S and I proceed to share our meals, strategically halving each item on our plate, and passing it over to the others plate. This is what food is all about, sharing it with good company.
Be sure to leave enough room at the end of your meal for the house-made gelato, it would be a crime to miss that.
Next time, I'll be trying a pasta dish. We enviously watched Michael theatrically preparing his 'poor mans' pasta for other tables. Good to have an excuse to return.
You'll want to arrive early, as they have a no bookings policy and spaces fill quickly. Rightly so, you'll guard your prized position, and your cheese, with your life.
Following in Table for 20s footsteps, this is good quality food and service, without the price tag. A welcome addition to the Darlinghurst dining scene.
