Gertrude X.
Yelp
Spectacular views, decor and service. This restaurant definitely belongs on any list of places to take visitors when you're trying to show off how beautiful Sydney is. Go during the day for maximum wow factor.
Here is what we ate and drank:
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COCKTAILS
No 18 Flirtini
Raspberry fruit puree, Belvedere Pure Vodka, pineapple juice, vanilla gomme, finished with Australian sparkling wine
No 72 Iceberg Sunset
Belvedere Pure Vodka, Cointreau, Aperol, fresh ruby grapefruit juice, blended with lemon sorbet
ENTREES
Queensland spanner crab, 'Venetian style' soft polenta, fresh sorrel, chilli, garlic, lemon
Black truffle, Taleggio cheese and chive frittata
MAINS
Market fish of the day (flathead) served with sorrel, parsley and roasted tomato passata
Char-grilled Black Angus rib eye 400g, bone removed, served with a selection of mustards and 'Salsa Erbe' (Italian herbs, chilli, garlic, virgin olive oil)
SIDE DISH
Broccolini with garlic and chilli
DESSERT
Flourless soft-centred chocolate pudding, honeycomb & raspberry ice cream, chocolate-coated honeycomb
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Both cocktails were excellent. I liked the Flirtini the best.
The spanner crab entree was outstanding: very fresh and lemony.
The truffle frittata was delicious but I could only eat one piece of it as it was very rich.
The flathead was disappointing. It tasted dry and overcooked. I regretted not ordering the salmon instead. (I was given a choice between about ten different kinds of 'fish of the day' and I picked flathead because the waiter told me it was his favourite.) The accompaniments to the fish - sorrel, parsley and roasted tomato passata - were very nice.
The steak was divine. It was tender, juicy and flavoursome and it went perfectly with the truffle mustard and Salsa Erbe.
Side dish (broccolini) was good.
Dessert smelled amazing - I love that baked chocolatey aroma of freshly made chocolate cake - and it tasted amazing too. The fondant centre was perfect and the choc-honeycomb pieces were an excellent accompaniment to the pudding.
All in all, an exceptional dining experience. Value was below average ($250 for all of the above), but this restaurant is situated on prime real estate and you obviously pay a premium for some of the prettiest water views in Sydney.