“It’s vegetarian food where you don’t miss the meat” says Mr Gatsby telling me about his latest find, Yulli’s in Surry Hills. He is also impressed that as a Surry Hills local, whenever he walks into Yulli’s, there’s a Skinny Blonde waiting for him at the the bar. The beer that is, not a person. Opposite the Clock hotel, Yulli’s is a new Melbourne-style bar and eatery serving up what is reportedly some very good vegetarian fare. And of course I feel obliged to try it out with Queen Viv and Miss America-Miss America is a former vegetarian so I am interested in his feedback.
It’s Saturday night and we’re sitting in the main area rather than the outdoor area as Queen Viv is recovering from a cold. Everything is warmly lit with red tones and looks very welcoming indeed. The menu is on the chalkboard behind the bar and you can either order there or, if you have a good memory, order at the table. Service is very friendly and easy going.
Cinnamon Girl beer $5.80
Wicked Elf Pilsner $8.60
The tables resemble wine crates with thick perspex tops and there are a combination of stools, chairs and lounges. A retro record collection lines one wall, another has empty beer bottles. Did I mention that the beer list is something special for beer drinkers? From fabulously named “Wicked Elf” to “Cinnamon girl” it appears that there is a beer to suit any whim or taste. Miss America and Queen Viv try both of those beers and are particularly partial to the Wicked Elf.
Eggplant Involtini filled with buffalo mozarella & spinach topped with lemongrass tomato sauce,fresh basil and parmesan served on a roti $17.50
Our Involtini arrives, it resembles a rather photogenic lasagne, The layers of soft eggplant are punctuated with interesting flavours such as lemongrass and I swear there was some mint along with the basil and buffalo mozarella. It sits on a roti which is not as odd as it sounds. In fact we barely notice that there is a cross cultural mix going on.
Mixed chip plate: Sweet potato, taro, lotus root, beetroot and spanish onion $12.50
The chips arrive with a rosemary salt, tomato sauce and a tzatziki. They’re all distinctly different with some particularly the taro and the sweet potato finding favour. The lotus root is not quite as enjoyable being crunchy and dry.
Panfried Polenta: with braised porcini mushrooms and fennel, watercress and salsa verde $16.50
A triangle of polenta comes adorned with porcinis, fennel, greens and a piquant salsa versde. As polenta can be bland by itself, we make sure to get some mushroom topping and it is indeed delicious.
Salt & Pepper Tofu served with a green papaya salad $15.50
Mr Gatsby’s favourite dish, the salt and pepper tofu has 5 makeup sponge sized triangles of tofu and accompanied by a green papaya salad. This is a nice dish and whilst the tofu is great, I really enjoy the green papaya salad next to it although.
Yulli’s Massaman curry Pie served with mashed potato $15.50
The massaman curry pie comes deep within a square individual pie dish with a covering of golden puff pastry and swirl of mash and a cinnamon stick on top-again there is an unusual hint of spices. The curry is sweet and delicious and full of chunky soft vegetables.
Despite the crowds, and it’s very busy tonight, we’re not hurried and we are chatting for a while before I ask if anyone wants dessert. Two by two we go up to the menu and check out the desserts. Queen Viv and my husband like the sound of the Belgian white chocolate caramel slice while Miss America and I like the sound of the Mango Tapioca Pudding. Great choices the owner Carl says. He and his girlfriend own Yulli’s and while she tends bar, he does his job charming the customers.
White Chocolate Belgian Caramel slice with icecream $8.50
The slender White chocolate caramel slice is nice and sweet but the other dessert has won me.
Mango Tapioca pudding with ice cream $9.50
The soft, gorgeously textured tapioca pudding is drenched with a mango sauce and served with coconut ice cream. It’s fabulously moreish and creamy but still light enough for you to want to eat the whole thing yourself. But I don’t of course, as that would be rude.
Yulli’s
417 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9319 6609
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
29 Comments | Add your own
I know where I’m off to next week! I’ve been craving massaman lately but no where in Sydney does it vegetarian … but now they do
I love the beer names
and am very intrigued by the pudding.
All this food sounds beautiful, and not like something is missing because it’s vegetarian. I love papaya salad, but in this cooler weather the porcini and polenta sounds more appealing.
how lovely to be able to go out to a vegetarian dinner without having cries of “where’s the meat?” ringing in your ears. the involtini has me craving warm and cheesy eggplant, and it’s only half past 9 in the morning!
Looks like a cosy place! The food seems to be a bit of everything.
Wow, what a fantastic place, right up my street! It all looks amazing (especially the desserts, naturally).
Great find! I’ve got a couple of vege friends and it’s never a satisfying food experience for them if they have to choose from the few vege dishes offered by normal restaurants or for me if they drag me to a vegetarian restaurant and order me “mock meat”. This will make us all happy!
Very close to my house! Next option for Date Night I think!
Wow, sounds delicious. It very hard to find a really good vegetarian restuarant.
Looks like my kinda joint. I love my veggies. The eggplant dish looked amazing.
Both of those desserts look really amazing!
hi! i love eggplant, and that dish looks amazing! i’ve heard of yulli’s and have been meaning to try it… now it’s moved closer to the top of my ‘places to eat’ list! the tapioca dessert also looks amazing!
have you been to badde mannors in glebe? that’s also a great little vegetarian cafe/restaurant.
As long as there is cheese I am happy mmmmm ^^! The chip plate and tofu also look quite tasty.
Haha I want to try cinnamon berr… but it has girl in it -____- I fear for my masculinity.
That all looks great – especially the mango tapioca! I’d order that, too!
The tofu looks great! It reminds me of the type of tofu I had when I lived in Indonesia..mmm..packets of crispy tofu sold streetside…the vendors would come up to the cars stuck in traffic so you could buy a snack while waiting arnd
yes traffic there is that bad…hee hee..
Does anyone know if some of these dishes are vegan>?
I love meat. And lots of it.
But this actually looks like food! Very yummy.
But I’d still want meat.
Oh wow, the food looks amazing – mmm yummy. Now I’m hungry. *silences noisy stomach*
I can be quite a carnivore, but you had me at the involtini and the Massaman curry pie with mash!
If I ever choose to become vegetarian, this is the restaurant that will convince me. YUM!
Sounds like a fun night! I love the funny names they give drinks.
wow! everything looks delish! I, as a fake vegetarian, must try this place!
wow the vegetarian food place looks awesome. THe massaman pie looks to dieeee forr making me mouth water.
Would love to see you re-create the mango tapioca puddin
Hi Em-Fantastic! Yes I usually see massaman beef curry but rarely see it done as vegetarian
Have fun!
Hi Anita-They’re very cute names aren’t they! The pudding was oh so good. Very moreish and hard to put down!
Hi Arwen-Yes I think that’s important for omnivores to enjoy themselves. That night was warm but yes when it turns cool, the pie and polenta will do.
Hi shez-Haha yes! I love the texture of involtini, it’s always so buttery soft and gooey
Hi Y-Yes they seem to do food from all over the world!
Hi Angela-Hehe yes the desserts are always a highlight, especially for ideas to make at home!
Hi Forager-That’s true, although I think most are used to making do with a few dishes. Some I know are just happy to have something! But yes I agree it’s always nice to be able to give them more options whilst not feeling like you are missing anything.
Hi Reemski-Great idea! It’s nice and atmospheric there too
Hi ArtemisIII-Yes it’s hard to find one that satisfies meat eaters too!
Hi Bethie-It was really good, although I just love eggplant pretty much any which way!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-they were really good indeed!
Hi Betty-Me too!
Great, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the food. I have been to Badde Mannors but not for so long (more than 10 years probably!). I should go back, thanks for the reminder!
Hi FFichiban-Haha yes vegetarian food without cheese is nowhere near as fun for me
Haha I don’t think it’s for girls only! Maybe you could open it with your teeth just in case? 
Hi anna-It was! Hehe I’d like to have another one right about now…
Hi Alexandra-Sounds great and hehe yes ideal conditions for streetside vendors!
Hi anna-The pie probably would be as well as the chips but the involtini has cheese. If in doubt, call them.
Hi Carol-Haha yes I couldn’t be a full vegetarian, I crave meat too much
But for one meal I think you might be able to do it? 
Hi red neon hearts-Hehe sorry about that!
Hi Midge -Me too but for a few times a week I don’t mind being vegetarian!
Hi Sophiaa-Haha yes you need good vegetarian food to try and convert people
Hi Blond Duck-It was very fun, it always is with Queen Viv and Miss America. Haha that’s why we ordered them!
Hi Teresa-Hehe you’re a fake vegetarian?
Hi smileona-Great!
It’s always nice to have a good standby when dining with vegetarians!
Hi Kathy-Haha good idea hey!
But I don’t see any mangoes in season now 
i’m all about this food, from the gorgeous eggplant to the FRIED polenta. delicious. the caramel slice wouldn’t be too hard to eat either.
and i never knew i shared my nickname with a beer.
Hi grace-Haha yes you ARE cinnamon girl. They ought to send you some
reemi just directed me here
i’ve just added it to my list
yummy that pie looks gorgeous i have NOT eaten a pie in yonks!
Hi betty-Oh really? Tis pie season being Winter now and I’ve eaten plenty
Post a Comment