Yup my list of top five restaurants just got amended. My list is forever evolving and works on a six month rotation. I use these restaurants as my benchmark for determining how others are placed considering things like interior, produce, technique, consistency and innovation. I think over time I have managed to hone my eating passion into a skill so I value my top 5 as do my friends. So it is with pleasure that I now add Teage Ezard’s restaurant Black at The Star onto the list. It sits proudly next to my other favourites like Four in Hand, Ormeggio at the Spit, Pendolino and Marque. I do have a second list but we can explore than some other time and I also have a Don’t ever at there list too.
Teage Ezard - New Boy on the Sydney Block
Black is hot, not only is the interior a fusion of New York meets Sydney but it is spacious without being cold, it is dark without being somber. The entire brand is continued through the venue from the iPad wine menu’s, American accented wine list to the black salt and textured crockery. We were greeted by two lovely tall rather beautiful young women who graciously seated us and then we proceeded to watch an array of glamorous people stroll through to their tables. It was fun!
New York Meets Sydney - Black Hip and Sexy
The meal began with what I refer to as Fool’s Gold, that would be the bread. It fills you up and then you have no space for the good stuff after. However in this case rather than avoid it I devoured it. Buttery soft served with creamy butter and designer black salt it set the tone. We opted for the highlight dishes starting with the fat succulent oysters with Yuzu and Wakame Jelly $12, three little treasures so delicious and simple you could have eaten them all night.
Oyster with Yuzu and Wakame Jelly
The Spanner Crab $29 with Avocado, Butter Lettuce, Apple Remoulade, Parsley Ginger Meringue was a taste sensation. The dehydrated meringue a textural, taste highlight. This was followed by the Organic Farm Egg and yes many top restaurants do a version of breakfast as a quirky menu addition few are a success this one is a true treat. The Potato Cream, White Alba Truffles, Iberico Ham and Herb Salad make you want to lick the plate.
Lux breakfast at night - Organic Farm Egg
The Main of Blue Eye was perfectly cooked highlighted by the warm Quinoa Ragout, Soft Egg, Leek, Chorizo, Truffle and Parsley Sauce $43. While you would expect this to be a combination of too many flavours it was actually clean, light and the flavours announced themselves with confidence. The Wood Burning Grill offered some sensational beef cuts my 200g Flat Iron Grain Fed Wagyu, marble score 9+ $59 was to my mind my perfect steak. A rectangular visual delight cooked to perfection, rare and yet not bloody accompanied by the most delicious Parsnip Fritters with Coconut, Tumeric Caramel $10 that have followed Teage from Melbourne. The homemade BBQ sauce was dense and rich and the Argentinian Chimichurri spicy and authentic. Steaks range up to a 180g Striploin Grain Fed Wagyu, marble score 9+ $95.
Must Have Parsnip Fritters
Well and then there was dessert. Truly a love affair as the chocolate ball with gold leaf slowly melted to revealed a delectable banana ice cream. It hits the taste buds and you go to heaven, $22.
Chocolate - Warm Couveture Ganashe, Banana Ice Cream, Hazelnut Mousse
Black Shimmer
Where you’ll find it
Level G, Harbourside,
The Star,
80 Pyrmont Street
Pyrmont NSW 2009
Lunch: Fri 12pm – 3pm.
Dinner: Tue – Sun 5.30pm – 11pm.
BLACK by ezard is closed on Monday
Contact http://www.star.com.au/dine/signature-dining/black.html
