Gowings Bar & Grill

Despite riding up in the lift with a Leeloo lookalike, bumping into Curtis Stone in the hip QT lobby, then hearing that Luke Mangan frequents the bar for Chardonnay; I found this restaurant surprisingly approachable. Restaurant Manager Marie Gallien explained, that while her striking floor staff do have their hair and makeup done (down to a particular shade of lipstick), it’s frequented by a diverse range of people. A casually dressed woman, relaxing with just a novel and classic Prawn Cocktail ($18) for companionship, proved her point nicely. With the lively sound of the upstairs function space, and the clanks and sizzle from Executive Chef Paul Easson’s open kitchen, you’re unlikely to feel lonely if you pop in for flavoursome Hot Spanner Crab Cakes ($19) or perfectly-handled Darling Downs Black Angus Rib Eye ($48/350g). Ours arrived well-rested and sliced for sharing, with a performative array of condiments on the side. Tartare of Yellowfin Tuna ($18) is marvellously simple, whilst a pair of Whole Roasted Quails ($38) partially deboned, prove indulgent – stuffed with smoked ham, sage, malt, Parmesan and barley bread, then drizzled with quail jus. Sides will be necessary; and so is dessert – so arrive hungry, lest you miss the visibly pink pleasure of a layered verrine of Berry Mousse ($15).

Gowings Bar & Grill
Level 1, 49 Market Street, Sydney
Ph: (02) 8262 0062 qtsydney.com.au
Modern Australian $$$$

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REVIEW: Karen’s Diner Top Ryde

REVIEW: Karen’s Diner Top Ryde

I am not going to lie, walking into Karen’s Diner, which is reputed to have the worst customer service in the city, can be nerve-wracking. After several minutes of nervous pacing and scrolling through the reservation confirmation with clammy hands, a Karen turned to serve me. Rolling eyes and sass made up most of her demeanour, which finally put me at ease. As I looked around, I realised I was not the only nervous one in the diner. Many of  customers were similarly hesitant to order their food, all of whom were understandably unwilling to invoke the Karens’ wrath but equally keen to experience what this place was all about.

An evening at Karen’s Diner was a fun experience indeed. From aggressive pushes of food on the table to constant f-bombs and booing at customers, Karen’s Diner was a vibe.

The diner decorations were also quite beautiful. Seated at a high-top table with a table full of has-beens next to a comic plastered wall we watched the customers heading out to play the Wheel of Misfortune. Misfortunes that could land you anywhere between model walks to the not-so-fun spicy shots.

I ate a meal called the “Royale Karen” alongside sips of a cocktail called the “Sour Karen” – listening to Good Golly Miss Molly playing overhead. The food was good, but it could have been better.

Ironically, Karen’s Diner was not the worst customer service that I have experienced. From existing Diner videos on YouTube, I was expecting much worse. The Diner has started out well, but it could do much better with more realistic Karens. Overall, it was an enthralling and hilarious experience.

KAREN’S DINER TOP RYDE is a 3 month pop-up located at the Top Ryde Shopping Centre. The pop-up experience ends on July 22. For Bookings head to: www.bemorekaren.com/ryde

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