Restaurant Review: Bloodwood, Newtown

Smoked ham hoc terrine, homemade pickles, 

chicken liver parfait and marinated olives

Last Friday I was invited to Bloodwood by my running friend Jennie. Our group of ten was given the large downstairs table. It felt like we had a private dining room, perfect for parties.

We started off with some wine recommended by sommelier Gabrielle Webster. Tattooed and nothing like my preconceived idea of a sommelier, she refreshingly recommended us towards some of the cheaper options on the wine list. Very nice they were too.

We had the generous nine course banquet menu ($50 per head). The food ranged from Asian, Mediterranean, South American and Modern Australian right through to British. Rather than suffering from the lack of a unifying theme the food just flowed. I think good food always works together, and it was good.

Whether it was the warmed and spiced olives or the homemade pickles, the simple was done very well. The freshness of the pear and fennel salad and the cuttlefish and cucumber salad helped lighten up the menu.

The more substantial beef brisket was a favourite and then there was the wonderfully rich chocolate torte to finish off the evening.

The standard of the evening was very high, but I prefer the crunchier polenta chips at Bakery Nights over the ones at Bloodwood. The spicy lima beans and guindillas accompanying the pork pintxo were a treat, but the pork itself could have been more tender.

Vegetarians and celiacs were catered for with aplomb.

The courses were brought out closely together and my stomach was groaning tying to expand so quickly. A more relaxed pace would have enhanced the experience.

Before going to Bloodwood the consensus among my friends seemed to be great food, but a bit expensive. The banquet menu of nine courses for $50 was an absolute steal and worth every cent. So much so, I've added Bloodwood to my Top Eats page.

 

Polenta chips with gorgonzola dipping sauce

Pork pintxo, lima beans and guindillas

 

Fregola and pear salad, fennel, confit tomato, beetroot crisps

 

Grilled cuttlefish, cucumber, herb salad

 

Pork and king prawn, black fungus, hot and sour sauce

 

Grilled rainbow trout (gluten free option)

 

Coorong angus beef brisket, spaetzle, cauliflower and beans

Chocolate torte, caramel mousse and peanut crunch

 

Bloodwood trifle

Poached peach (gluten free option)

The damage, $823.50 for ten

Bloodwood
416 King St
Newtown
Sydney, 2042