Lunch with a group of girls will always be a different sort of experience than a lunch with guys. Allow me to translate for those unfamiliar with the peculiar female creature. There will be a lot of dithering and discussion about what the eat and little pretty sounding tasty morsels will be ordered, all with a view to dessert which always features. There will be some oohing and aahing over things such as lighting fixtures and decor. But there will always be dessert. And it will always be shared.
Today, I’m lunching with Christie, Darcie, Helen, Jen, and Suze at Etch. When asked to pick a venue, I suggested Etch because of my adoration for chef Justin North’s Plan B, and Becasse and also because it was in the middle of the city so it made for easy access by all. The space itself is decorated with a decidedly feminine touch (although it doesn’t seem to stop the male of the species from eating here) with plenty of feathered angel wings, wing topped globes, silver framed portraits and bird print wallpaper.
Most of us order an appetiser and an entree each as we’re saving room for the desserts which we have already pre picked: the Etch lolly tray and the caramel date tart with burnt butter ice cream and Earl Grey tea syrup.
Fried goat’s cheese with vanilla and lavender scented honey $9
The Fried goat’s cheese with vanilla and lavender scented honey consists of two crispy coated goat’s cheese balls deep fried and doused in a headily fragrant lavender honey. It’s ambrosial and the crispy outer, creamy inner and sweet taste and floral aroma combines beautifully.
Shaved Serrano gran reserva with peppered melon, chilli and mint $12
We are surprised to see that the Shaved Serrano gran reserva ham with peppered melon, chilli and mint has watermelon, not the rockmelon that Christie and I had assumed it would be paired with. It is delicious with the chili and mint adding an extra dimension of flavour.
Crispy spiced local squid with sweet paprika mayonnaise $9
An adorable paper cone houses the crispy spiced local squid with sweet paprika mayonnaise. The squid is wondrously tender with the the paprika giving the mayonnaise a slightly spicy and bitter flavour.
Sardines on toast: Vintage sardines with celery gazpacho and green apple tartare $12
I’m not a huge Sardine eater but the sardines are a gorgeous, glistening silver and dazzle me with their flashy exterior matched with celery gazpacho and green apple tartare. They’re well paired with the sauce and thinly sliced bread.
Cauliflower, cepe and macaroni cheese $28
The cauliflower, cepe and macaroni cheese with a breadcrumb crust is a pasta with a creamy cheesey oozey sauce. The small florets of cauliflower give it texture and the cepes give it flavour.
Salad of heirloom tomatoes, with fried zucchini flower and herb emulsion $18
The Salad of heirloom tomatoes, with fried zucchini flower and herb emulsion is a good reason to go vegetarian, if even only for a meal, or even a course. It’s stunning visually, and ticks all the boxes for flavour and texture. If all vegetarian dishes tasted like this, I’d be one-and so would most of the world I suspect.
Caramelised pork belly, roasted Queensland scallops, sherry gel and sweetcorn puree $23
The Caramelised Pork belly, roasted Queensland scallops, sherry gel and sweetcorn puree is another gorgeously presented dish. The pork belly is soft and gelatinously unctuous and I adore the harmony of flavours to this dish.
Basque style cassoulet with herb crumbs $18
The Basque style cassoulet with herb crumbs is housed in a terracotta pot and is rich and deep in flavour. I can see the fine cubes of pork belly, sausage and beans all in a delicious mouth watering and intensely flavoured stew. It does need something to accompany it with so I used some of the fried provencal potatoes with aged proscuitto drizzled with smoked garlic mayonnaise which suits it perfectly.
Sides: left Provencal potatoes with aged proscuitto drizzled with smoked garlic mayonnaise $9 Right Vichy carrots $6
The Vichy carrots are sweet and steamed and tossed with a butter and herbs.
Roast rump of pork with crackling $32
The only main dish we ordered was the Roast rump of pork with crackling which is a huge serve of slices of tender pork, with some creamed polenta, greens and a cracklier than crackly crackling. Justin North seems to like the super crunchy crackling but for me the less crackly version is more palatable. However the pork is delicious and the serve very generous and filling, albeit very rich.
We already knew our aim of the day was to try the Etch lolly tray and the date tart but the question is, do we want a cheese or another dessert to share? After contemplating the cheeses, we decide on another dessert.
Caramel date tart with burnt butter ice cream and Earl Grey tea syrup $15
The Caramel date tart with burnt butter ice cream and Earl Grey tea syrup is delicious-like what would happen if a pumpkin pie and a creme caramel mated and produced a beauteous offspring. The tart isn’t particularly date-y but the overall effect produces murmurs of contentment.
Baked Chocolate delice with mandarin $15
The baked chocolate delice with mandarin is interesting. Said to be lighter than a mousse in its cold form, it is slightly warm here and very airy but still not quite reaching the ethereal airiness of a mousse. There is a curled nougatine crisp on top and three mandarin flavoured mounds: a mousse, a gelee and a mandarin infused creme with tiny shards of nut inside and dusted with cocoa on top as well as some candied mandarin zest. I like the parts separately as I don’t really like chocolate and orange.
Etch Lolly Tray $15 From top: lemon & vanilla marshmallows, salted butter caramels, peanut brittle and violette Fizzy Rock
Etch’s Lolly Tray is what won my heart though. With four little containers housing four different types of sweets of different textures, it’s what childhood through adulthood dreams are made of. The lemon and vanilla marshmallow is light as a cloud although more lemoney than vanilla tasting-it is also missing the snowy blanket of icing sugar and cornflour; the salted butter caramels are perfection with just the right amount of salt and a fudge-like texture; the peanut brittle is a delightfully light and airy crisp without that teeth wrenching texture and the violet fizzy rock is one of those things that you sit on your tongue to fizzle away in a sophisticated homage to the childhood favourite Whizz Fizz.
An angel winged mannequin in the Ladies Room
Today was also Day 2 of the Lean Cuisine challenge where I was obviously unable to fit in one of their lunches along with this lunch so I had a dinner instead. One thing that i was grateful for was at 5pm when I got home from lunch (yes ok, disgraceful to come home so late after lunch I know but I count traveling time) was that my dinner was sorted and I didn’t have to think about it at all. Convenience is not something to be sneezed at at all. I tried the Pumpkin, Spinach and Ricotta lasagne and paired it with baby spinach leaves, roasted beetroot, sweetcorn and cheese. It wasn’t bad and I could really taste the ricotta and sweet, nutty pumpkin.
Atmospheric back room-reminiscent of someone’s living room
Etch Dining
Intercontinental Hotel
62 Bridge Street, Sydney CBD, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9247 4777
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43 Comments | Add your own
I’m adding Etch to the list of restaurants I want to try the next time I’m in Sydney – everything looks delicious!
By the way – what is Mr NQN eating now that you are on the Lean Cuisine challenge?
Oh yum. The lolly plate looks so cute and delicious! Actually everything looks delicious. This post makes me so excited because I’m going to Becasse for my graduation dinner on Friday, yay!
How Fun! Even better that you got to try such a variety of dishes – I would definitely be leaving room for the tart
Etch is popping up all over the place on my internet radar (and a good thing too because i’ve heard so so much but haven’t seen anything til now). the dishes look delicious and are beautifully plated. how lovely!
The fried goats cheese looks like a real treat. I like the sound of the fizzy rock too. I loved whizz fizz as a kid
Meals my female friends is definitely way different than my guy friends.
First off guys are heading to the dingiest hole in the wall. Food and booze tends to be in mass quantity (I have been known to order a whole pizza just because I can) and the conversation hmmm…crude is an understatement.
God love them but thankfully my female friends are the ones I know are up for a nice restaurant run and always willing to listen to the latest gripe about the girl I am dating.
Maybe you can help me with something. Why do women’s restrooms always have chairs to sit in??
Your pictures are beautiful! Would you share some camera lens and lighting tips for restaurants?
Was an absolutely delightful looong lunch! The watermelon with chilli and mint was so juicy – I can’t wait to serve the combo at my next dinner party.
Thanks for an excellent recommendation once again NQN!
Etch looks so right for a girly lunch! And clever of you to order entrees and dessert, so you can try more without getting too full. Do you think the vibe there would be more masculine at night (though Will would be happy regardless)?
I have just discovered your blog and it is so amazing, congrats! That Lolly tray is just so adorable it looks worth the trip to try it!
Caramelised pork belly, roasted Queensland scallops, sherry gel and sweetcorn puree will be in my dream tonight ^ ^
I want one of everything-will go there this upcoming month, thanku so much =)
Oh, it’s so pretty! I confess to being one of those girls who orders according to how pretty the food is likely to be – that chocolate delice plating is gorgeous! And I have to say, I love the Etch logo – pretty swirly things @_@;
i love the decor, it’s beautiful! the salad looks gorgeous and the lolly tray looks particularly drool worthy
YUUMMM ^^! I have to try this placeeee and Becasse too! The pork belly and pork rump + crackling *droool* and love the chocolate smear! The lollies are cute ^^!
May I bet that you will try to make violette Fizzy Rock next?
Absolutely lovely…what a treat! The lolly tray looks fun
I love the presentation of the vegetarian salad and the pork belly, it’s sooooo pretty! Definitely my type of restaurant.
Wow! I must give this one a try!
Didn’t realise it was so close by to where I work!
Everything looks fantastic! I would love to try some of that fried goat cheese!
I was gnawing my knuckles out as soon as saw that fried GOAT’S CHEESE!!! goat cheese is my fav cheese, and fried? with lavender-HONEY? If I’m ever in sydney, please take me there!
That restaurant looks lovely! If I ever get to Sydney I’m totally going there.
i love that you pre-picked and saved room for dessert–that’s totally something i do all the time. i’m glad it was worth it, too.
That’s the thinnest toast I’ve ever seen!
Not a bad place, but I was left a bit underwhelmed to be honest. The entree and dessert I had (cassoulet and date tart) were brilliant, but the main (roasted lamb) was a bit average, kind of tough. My dining companion also enjoyed his entree and dessert but was underwhelmed with the main (pork or something).
But, yes, gorgeous room. And uses great ingredients and has a top wine list so I can’t complain too much.
It looks divine, I need to get me some girl friends and a babysitter.
The goats cheese sounds especially delicious.
Hi Kathy-That’s wonderful! Is it a big list?
He got some of the macaroni cheese (on the blog today 
)
Hi Steph-The lolly plate was definitely the star of the show. Who knew a concept so simple, I guess paid for
petit fours, would be so popular? Oh congratulations! That’s wonderful. Have a gorgeous time!
Hi Anita-I know sampling a bit of everything is definitely the way to go!
Hi shez-Yes I was really curious as I’d heard a lot about it (and some mixed reviews) so I was curious to try
it for myself.
Hi Arwen -Aha well then you might like this version. It’s much nicer!
Hi Jeff-Definitely yes I totally agree! Ah interesting question, I have two theories:
1) That women go to the bathroom in packs and so one might have to wait for the other and we often wear shoes
that are impossible to walk in so we need to rest. OK that may just be my friends and I…
2) It’s somewhere to rest your handbag as the sinks are sometimes splashed with water and you don’t want to
ruin your lovely bag.
But I could be wrong entirely!
Hi Gale Reeves-Thankyou! Hmm let’s see… always try and get as much light as possible, that’s the main thing.
Otherwise take a lot of photos, a lot will be blurry in low light but one should turn out ok!
Hi Christie-It was so much fun having lunch with you as always
I could see how much you enjoyed that and
it’s so healthy and flavourful too! You’re welcome, thanks for the sparkling company!
Hi Belle-It is indeed. I find it hard to fit in 3 full courses at lunch so this was a strategic move. I don’t
know about at night but there were plenty of guys, there was a table of them lunching behind a lace curtain so
the vibe doesn’t put them off at all!
Hi cherryblossomcupcake-Thankyou so much!
It is indeed 
Hi Bean Sprout-Hehe mine too!
Hi Brianna-Fantastic, you’re welcome!
Hi Chris-Yep it’s a girl thing perhaps! Actually the winged globes are reminiscent of your blog design!
Hi Betty -It’s so nice, I wanted all of those silver framed pictures! If only I were a kleptomaniac I would
have made off with half the decor
Hi FFichiban-Oh yes you do! Lots of nice meat dishes for a guy like you!
Hi Lilia-Haha you know me don’t you? I was very intrigued and I do love Violet flavoured things…
Hi Alexandra-It was -on both counts!
Hi Su-yin-Yes I didn’t realise that they would be so artistically presented! It was a nice surprise
Hi Carolyn-Oh that’s great! The perfect place for a nice quick lunch (or long one)
Hi 5 Star Foodie-That was so good, I loved the way the honey was so headily perfumed!
Hi Sophia-I know! You can’t beat that can you? Sure!
Hi anna-It’s great and if you do I do recommend it!
Hi grace -Hehe we usually ask to see the dessert menu so we know whether anything is worth saving room for
Hi Blond Duck-Hehe well it was more like a thin crouton I guess!
Hi Jobe -Oh no, really? Perhaps we were lucky with our choices. Was it the lamb daily special? Did he have the
same pork dish?
Hi Heather-That’s a great idea to fully enjoy it with a bunch of girls
Aw I was ‘this close’ to going to Etch when I was in Sydney but ended up at Spice I Am instead (it was raining and I felt like spicy food).
Your photos look so good though!
Ha ha, actually I was intrigued by the violette Fizz. That thing make me wondering how make it and how it will taste. Knowing your love of violet, make me bet that you will be researching and try to make it.
Wow thats some really interesting dishes there. Nice looking fit out too. Very unique!
Hi Cora-Ahh perhaps next time!
Thankyou so much!
Hi Lilia-Hmmm well maybe I should add it to my bursting “to make list”
Hi Esz-They were really creative, especially the entrees! The room was beautifully designed
I’d definitely be oohing and aahing over the decor – it’s just gorgeous. And the lolly tray wins fo me!
Hi Cakelaw-It is sooo girly and fab! I was seduced by the lolly tray too
I like how they have appetisers AND entrees. Allows for room for dessert, as you have wisely noted. By the way, what are the vintage sardines? Were they marinated in a wine?
The decor is so lovely. I would love to visit one day.
And the food, expecially the chocolate delice, looks like something one would swoon over.
Hi Y-Yes the desserts are well worth saving room for. I saw a pic of the sorbets and they look so cute! I don’t think so, they tasted pretty much like regular sardines but to be honest I am not a big sardine fan so I am not a big sampler.
Hi Artemis-Definitely!
I swooned a few times that meal I admit 
hhmm……have you been to all of restaurants featured here in your blog? Nice huh!
Hi Love Gifts-Yes of course, I wouldn’t be able to write about them or photograph them otherwise!
Is Etch owned by Justin North or is it the hotel paying a royalty fee to Justin?
Hi Thomas-I have no idea to be honest! Sorry!
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