My friend, the frantic worldwide jetsetter friend Carbon Debit was coming to Sydney and on this rainy Sydney evening, I suggested meeting up at The Sardine Room, a place that rates very highly on eatability and one recommended to me for their excellent Salt and Pepper Squid. I will travel for a good S&P squid so I was looking forward to this. It’s fairly early when we take a seat in the smallish room. It’s smartly decorated with funky gothic-style lights. I thought I knew what I wanted from taking a look at the menu on the website only to be confounded by the owner who takes a seat next to us to explain the specials.
I’m torn, I definitely want the Salt and Pepper squid but am not hungry enough to eat a main and an entree but the Lemon Sole, served in the skeleton beckons for curiosity value. Carbon Debit saw another customer’s order of this set down and confirmed that it was indeed an interesting looking dish so I order it. She orders the Soft Shell Crab and the Duck Ravioli.
Salt & Pepper squid w confit garlic aioli & lemon $16
Our entrees arrive quickly, the Salt and Pepper Squid is a large mound of squiggly tendrils of squid and it’s piping hot and fresh. Perfectly seasoned and tender as tender can be I’m a very, very happy camper. Incidentally the salad it’s served on is also very good and flavoursome, not just a garnish.
Tempura battered soft shell crab w sweet chilli jam $16
I try some of Carbon Debit’s soft shell crab. It’s quite good but the squid is the definite pick of the two. It’s said to come with sweet chili jam which is more of a spicy onion jam with slices of onion throughout which Carbon Debit finds overwhelms the delicate crab.
Duck ravioli w seared scallops in a porcini & rosemary broth $28
I try some of her main, the duck ravioli which is surprisingly good. I say surprisingly as I had assumed that the specialty was seafood but the delicately flavoured sauce is nicely paired with the soft duck filled ravioli and there is a generous serve of scallops.
Crispy Lemon Sole with asian style dressed salad served in the skeleton $28
My crispy lemon sole comes to the table with a flourish. It’s clear they’re proud of this dish and we see many other diners order this. We see them setting this down in front of other diners saying “Look at this, isn’t it spectacular presentation?” as they set it down. The salad itself is a mixture of red cabbage, herbs, cherry tomato and other salad vegetables with delicious spicy dressing. The fish has been filletted and the meat cut into pieces, floured and deep fried. The only problem is that the fish is only slightly warm by the time it has reached me and deep fried food needs to be hot.
Even though it’s a Tuesday night, by 7.30pm it’s full. The tables near us feel a little crowded, indeed the people to my right feel like they’re dining with us so we decline dessert. Perhaps that’s why it’s called The Sardine Room.
And the only good part about the rain? The chance to use my Wicked umbrella of course darlings! 
The Sardine Room
31 Challis Avenue, Potts Point, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9357 7444
Open: from 6pm Tuesday-Sunday
http://www.thesardineroom.com.au/
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21 Comments | Add your own
What an interesting way to serve sole! The rest of the food looks pretty amazing too
I’m always on a quest for the perfect S&P squid. That one looks quite good!
I can confirm that pieces S&P squid that I pinched off NQN were indeed very good!
The presentation looks amazing! So does the Sardine Room serve sardines at all? I would of thought it had to feature in their signature dish!
Love good seafood. mmm
The duck ravioli sounds delish!
I looove S&P squid and soft shell crab! And anything with duck. Oh i’m hungry now
looks like such a lovely meal. yummm.
Your umbrella looks really good against that succulent
The ravioli sounds amazing, such an unusual mix.
oooh, that looks amazing! I’ve never heard of it before…must go investigationing!
Dude, we could cause so much trouble if we ever got together. I’ll take the pies, you can take the entrees!
Excellent meal! I would love to have a bite of that soft-shell crab.
That squid looks wonderful. I could go for some right now. All I had to post today was a corned beef sandwich. Your life is so much more exciting than mine
All the dishes look so appetizing but the sole does have some unique presentation! Hee hee do you walk around pretending to be the wicked witch in the rain
? *cackle cackle*
I just love excellent sea food!! It all looks so fab & tasty!!!
Hi Kathy-yes I’ve never seen it done that way before! Very visually striking
Hi Christie-This one is a definite winner I have to say. One of the best for sure, particularly in tenderness
Hi Carbon Debit-Haha it was fun having dinner and cake! When you next make it to Sydney we must do dinner again
Hi Forager-Hehe you know what? There aren’t any sardines. I think the S&P squid would have to be their signature
Hi Fiona-Me too!
Hi Diana-It was really delicious. I didn’t expect it to be that good given that it’s such a seafood themed restaurant but it was really good.
Hi Jen-Me too! If I see those on a menu I feel compelled to order them. hehe sorry!
Hi reddoorread-It was very nice with great company!
Hi Arwen-Thankyou! I thought that the background was suitably unusual for the umbrella. It was, very delicious indeed and unusual with the scallops (and a generous serve of them too)
Hi Reemski-it’s not too far from you too!
Hi Blond Duck-I think that would be very dangerous indeed
Hi. 5 Star Foodie-Hehe it does look tempting I agree!
Hi Beth-Me too. Every time I look at the picture I get a hankering for some more! Hey I like corned beef sandwiches too
Hi FFichiban-Yeah the presentation is pretty unusual! I’ve had deep fried fish whole looking like it was leaping but not like this. Haha no instead I sing songs from the musical Wicked
Hi Sophie-Me too! There’s nothing like good seafood is there
The food looks really good! I think the duck ravioli sounds really interesting, especially since it’s served with pan fried scallops!
Oh and they DO sell the wicked umbrella here, I just never realised..
Hi Su-Yin-Yes it’s an interesting combination with the seafood and the meat. Although I’d be just as happy with them served separately!
Hehe your Wicked umbrellas are different from the ones around the rest of the world. They have the wonderful witch’s hat shape whereas others are just normal umbrellas
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your web site. I am eager to get it everyday. The pictures are beautiful and I love your witty writing. I’ll be trying the recipes they look yummy.
Shirley USA
Hello,
I found your blog while looking for a witches hat style wicked umbrella. My partner recently lost her’s and I am trying to track downa replacement in the witches hat shape. Would you be able to tell me where you purchased yours?
If you can help I would be sincerely gratefull.
Thanks
David Phillips
Hi Shirley-Thankyou so much! That’s so sweet of you to say
Thanks so much for reading!
Hi David-this one was purchased from Covent Garden in London. I don’t know if that is much help to you though
It was from the Wicked muscial store at the theatre 
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