Lil Darlin', Surry Hills

Now I'm not usually one to frequent bars. Gastro pubs yes, fine diners yes, Asian restaurants yes but not bars. But when an invitation arises to try out a new place promoted by Simon Hancock (especially after the Crane 1st birthday extravaganza), you can't just say no. I must apologize. I've been on a little hiatus (3 weeks infact) but I haven't forgotten all my readers! I'm on my final year of uni (B.ed) now and on my work placement so I've got 28 little rugrats to take care of. Busy busy.

Lil Darlin' has 3 locations, all promising a merry time. It's dark but inviting with bottles lining every square inch. We perch ourselves down and let the waiters welcome us in.

Pork and Beef Meatballs 12

Salt & Pepper Calamari 14

Arancini Balls 12

Calamari was hot and fresh, straight out of the fryer and with two delicious sauces to boot. Then you've got the arancini balls which are little mouthfuls of soft rice and fontina cheese. Finished off with some simple meatballs finished in a rich tomato sauce and I was already loosening  the notches of my belt before the main even hits the table.

Marinated Grilled Vegetables 19

Grilled Chilli Prawn 22

Crispy Peking Duck 25

The pizzas go down without a problem. It was the peking duck that had everyone racing for the last bite. Saucy and rich, jacked up with fresh herbs, it's a tasty little bite and goes down a treat. However, my favourite easily has to be the vegetarian with each mouthful being filled with delicious slow cooked onions, fetta, pine nuts and balsamic. Deeeelicious.

Summer Crunch Salad 13

250g Char-grilled Sirloin Steak 27

Steak was cooked perfectly to a blushing medium rare just the way I like it and accompanied by a mushroom sauce. It's the salads oddly enough that captivate me. They're just so interesting compared to the plain jane ones I'm used to. They feel complete with a cheese and nut element to each one so that isn't just a pile of leaves.

Oven-Baked Chocolate Brownie Swirls 10

Dessert lands on the table greeted by oohs and aahs. Simply put, they're bread rolls sauced up with some velvety chocolate and cooling ice cream. It's dainty enough that you won't fill guilty and stop only at one.

Hundreds & Thousands 16.9

White Choc Passionfruit Martini 17.9

Fairy Floss Martini 17.9

Amaretto Sour 16.9

Of course you can't hit a bar without alcohol so cocktails were the order of the day. My favourite has to be the simple mulled. One sip and it warms up the spirits with its fruity and cinnamon-y winter notes. Just like a warm hug on a cold day. The other cocktails weren't half bad either, playful in their own right (just check out the pink fairy floss wig!) and delicious although I wasn't a big fan of the fairy floss martini which tasted like cough syrup.

Lil Darlin' is plain fun and very interesting. Whilst the bar food for the most part doesn't divert too much from the usual suspects, they're well done with a lot of heart. This is one place you won't want to miss.

Petit4s and guest ate at Lil Darlin' courtesy of Simon Hancock. 

Posted in: alcohol, Bar, Duck, pizza, steak, surry hills