Redoak Boutique Brewery Cafe
As we slide into the season of revelry, padding out our calendars with meetings involving food and cheer, I thought I’d throw in a CBD spot that slides under the radar… This every-woman (and man) restaurant and bar is great for groups. It specialises in beer, and shows great vertical integration, with them also producing every beer on their (not-insubstantial) list! Choosing your brew is made easier by knowledgeable staff, accurate tasting notes and smart tasting boards that present a quartet of beers with four snack-sized dishes. While vegetarians are blessed with their own board, for the purposes of this meal I road-tested Seafood ($25) and Meat ($25). The former was won by salt and pepper soft shell crab protruding from a compelling Oatmeal Stout, caramelised onion and chilli relish and matched to the quaffable Organic Pale ($11/pint); while the latter impressed most with a seared duck liver and braised red cabbage combination against their banana-flavoured German Wheat Beer ($11/pint). Pick out a pint of your favourite – perhaps the approachable All Day Breakfast ($13.50/pint) that delights with hops and mango – to accompany a hearty main, like the Duck Triple Treat ($33); or take on one of Sydney’s better burgers: the Beef, Beer and Brioche Burger ($25) which even includes a beer.
Redoak Boutique Beer Cafe
201 Clarence Street, Sydney
Ph: (02) 9262 3303 www.redoak.com.au
Modern Australian, Burgers $$$
