55 Riley Street Garage is a very smart looking restaurant and bar from the team behind The Flying Squirrel and The Stuffed Beaver. Headed up by chef Regan Porteous, (Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurants), Riley Street Garage is a triumph of cooking, cocktails and atmosphere. Sampling nine of their courses (share plates), the menu was all killer and no filler. Particular favourites included the smokey soy truffle oysters, beef carpaccio, chorizo corn dog, tempura Morton Bay Bugs and crispy pork knuckle. Oh, and the truffle mash.
The venue, housed in a converted 1920 industrial warehouse, is impressive without overwhelming the experience. The cocktails, as expected from this team, round out a first-rate dining experience.
Note: ‘Pit Stop’ has recently been introduced, offering an express lunch menu Tuesday through Friday. Seating is at the bar with all meals coming in at under $20. The cooking is equal to that of the main restaurant with dishes including a grilled miso salmon with salad and fries $20, mini crispy pork knuckle $20 and the sublime Lessey’s beef and blue burger $12. The full menu is also available at the bar.
Address: 55 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo | Web: www.rileystgarage.com.au
