Bodega, Surry Hills

Bodega. What can I say that I haven't said already. It's bloody brilliant food. Such commendation would be reserved for the ending of this post but it's undeniable the fact that there is genius that lies behind this ever popular restaurant so why postpone it? Elvis Abrahanowicz, formerly of Porteno, has since returned to Bodega to grace it with his culinary presence. His return has brought with him an entirely new menu, energy charged and full of life.

I admit, it's been a while since I've been here and it does look a tad different due the the refurbishment a while back. Gone is the iconic green cow sign, replaced by a much more darker sleek colour palate. The bar's still there along with the open kitchen, the rattle shaker and the fluorescent eye popping mural towards the side and the very lively handlebar mustached sommelier who's as much synonymous with the Bodega name as the fish fingers are to it. Nevertheless it does feel a touch more sophisticated without ever feeling intimidating.

Fish Fingers, Hiramasa, Charred Toast, Cuttlefish, Mojama 22

The fish fingers here are iconic and I'm glad they've stayed. Same old, same old, but why mess with a brilliant recipe? Just the right amount of onions and coriander infused chewy cuttlefish, wonderfully fresh slices of king fish all on top of liberally acidic oil doused garlic toast. Happy days. It might be me but the mojama did taste a little fishier.

Steamed Milk Bun, BBQ Tongue, Crab, Salsa Golf 12 each 

Reminds me a lot like a fillet of fish because of the dill and tartare, but gutsier and delicate at the same time. Smoky tongue and crab make a shockingly addictive combo but it goes quite quickly. Admittedly 12 dollars did seem very overpriced for the serving but it is delicious nevertheless.

Buttermilk Pancake, Salt Cod,  62 ° Egg, Smoked Maple Butter 16 

The oddly sweet and clearly savoury notes are quite unfamiliar and offsetting but if it seems to work with bacon, hey, maple syrup can pretty much work with anything else. The lightest pancake is doused in maple butter with a salty crisp cod ball and a slow cooked gooey egg just waiting to be popped.

Slow Cooked Beef Brisket, BBQ sauce, Onion Rings & Fried Egg 28

Crunchy onion rings, tender beef and intense beef juices on steroids, smoky barbeque sauce and mayo and 2 wonderfully runny fried eggs; bravo Bodega, you have created the ultimate in dude food eating.

This is serious dude food, for lack of better word to use, with refinement. Bodega is a master at making odd combinations work and existing combinations even better. There aren't any foams to be found here, no gels, no spherification, no liquid nitrogen. No, there's no mucking about, just really good food. And really fun might I add. Supposedly the last day of the world, there's no where else I'd rather be.


View Larger Map

Posted in: brisket, dude food, egg, onion rings, surry hills