When I worked in advertising I was offered a job in a research firm by a former client. I had apparently impressed him in being the only person in the ad team that could give him a straight answer (advertising is of course well known for giving the fluffy answer and people that can bulls**t do very well). It was at a very prestigious marketing firm doing the TV ratings etc but another client of mine scoffed at the idea “Look you like making the deals, you don’t want to be stuck behind a desk doing research”. It was true, I loved the wheeling and dealing and the research job was rejected.
I still love doing research though but nowadays it’s more to do with food research and this evening when Mr NQN and I are off on a romantic date to Tomislav in Darlinghurst I’ve come armed with a list of must eats gleaned from Joey’s review here. This evening ex Fat Duck’s of the U.K. and Koi of Sydney, Tomislav Martinovic appears at the helm surveying those around him at the open kitchen. There is a large balcony area which tonight seems to be reserved for large groups and the iconic Coca Cola sign blinks down at us and seems only metres away. The maitre’d is very friendly and welcoming to all.
Ranger’s Valley Sirloin Roll (50g), toast, wasabi crumbs $11 for 4 pieces
Most of the food appears on dark grey slate plates giving it a certain feel and the serving of four beef rolls comes with a liberal serving of vivid green powder. The waitress says to us “Don’t worry the green wasabi crumbs aren’t as hot as you’d think” and so I pop a round beef piece perched on a paper thin wafer into my mouth. The beef is perfectly seasoned, the wafer buttery and the wasabi crumbs more creamy than crumby with a hint of wasabi. The green looks to be from something like pureed spinach which gives it that bright green. They’re a great morsel to start us off.
Rye bread with butter
The rye bread is thick with that distinctive aroma and the quenelle of soft, whipped butter is very light. I find that the rye with its strong flavour needs a strong butter to go with it.
Basmati rice risotto, poached prawns, lemon zest, chives $18
I was a little disappointed to see that the scallop risotto was off the menu-I am a bit of a scallop friend but the prawn risotto looks like a fitting substitute. Made with basmati rice it’s much lighter than a traditional arborio rice risotto. It’s spread out with a creamy lemon zest and chive sauce and the whole dish is delicately executed with just the right amount of chive and lemon zest and perfectly cooked pieces of prawn . The little black squares are pieces of dried nori seaweed.
Roast Reid Gate Farm Quail, chilli, coriander, roast pineapple $19
The Asian style quail is paired with a coriander and chilli sauce and grilled pineapple with little pieces of bird’s eye chilli. It’s well balanced but I’m still trying to renegotiate the return of my risotto. Yes I’ve taken claim on the risotto as mine. Sadly the negotiations for the safe return of my risotto did not work out and Mr NQN polished it off.
O’Connor Scotch Fillet, grilled mango, chives, bone marrow $30
The beef comes pre sliced and is cooked medium rare. It comes simply paired with roasted bone marrow, a smear of grilled mango sauce and a chive sauce. It is ambrosial especially paired with the chips. And if there was any doubt that Mr NQN and I were destined for each other it’s the fact that he doesn’t like bone marrow and I adore it and so he gives me his share of the bone marrow. Forget diamonds, it’s about the bone marrow (ok I didn’t quite mean that, diamonds are important too 
).
Crinkle cut chips $8
Did I mention the chips? They send people over the moon and these fat little crinkle cut beasties come golden brown and all in various shapes and sizes so they appear to be hand cut. The outside is crunchy with the inside potato lovely and fluffy.
Pasture Burrawong Duck Breast, olive oil sponge, baby beetroots $32
The duck breast too comes pre sliced and is paired with baby beetroot and an olive oil sponge which is as light as a chiffon sponge. They beetroot sauce is earthy and tangy and the sponge gives it a richness so that it never becomes too tangy.
Vanilla Cheesecake, cream cheese, rhubarb sorbet $14
I’m afraid to say that I rarely order cheesecake. It’s so easy to make that the idea of ordering it, no matter how fantastic it never appeals to me. But I’m convinced to order this from the waiter and the waitress. I’m glad I did as it arrives as a jellied wobbling dessert with cream cheese jelly cubes scattered throughout. Yes cream cheese jelly cubes! I take my spoon to it and it’s light as air. It resembles a mousse but it’s more a mousse crossed with a foam. It’s accompanied with candied rhubarb which has an unusually firm texture similar to cooked beetroot (I’m used to eating rhubarb in crumbles where it is stewed where the consistency is soft) and a tartly refreshing rhubarb sorbet and large cheesecake crumbs.
Dark chocolate Mousse, toasted hazelnuts, vanilla ice cream $14
“My dessert is alive!” Mr NQN exclaims. Allow me to rewind a few minutes. The chocolate mousse comes as a chocolate sphere with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as well as a smattering of toasted hazelnuts. Unlike the cheesecake, the mousse is firmer, less airy and creamier and with a surprise inside via whole toasted candied hazelnuts which give it a lovely crunch and sweetness. But wait there’s more! And before I sound like I’m spruiking cleaning products, I am going to ruin the surprise so look away if you intend to dine here and want to be surprised… The surprise is actually pop rocks hidden amongst the toasted hazelnut crumbs which start exploding when the vanilla ice cream starts to melt on this warm Autumn evening from copious photo taking. On cue after he claims that the dessert is alive, there’s a pop and he pulls back alarmed and rubs his arm as a bold, rogue pop rock pops on his forearm*.
*there were no arms seriously harmed eating this dessert
So tell me Dear Reader, do you research your meals before you eat out so that you know what to order?
Tomislav
2/13 Kirketon road Darlinghurst, NSW
Tel: + 61 (02) 9356 4535
www.tomislav.com.au
Open Tuesday to Saturday 6pm until late
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57 Comments | Add your own
I like the ambiance of the restaurant, their food look good. the rolls looks so delicious…
I have to tell my mom next time that the restaurants are offering bone marrow , as we use them in our stock all the time, then i clean/lick what left
Oh my goodness. I absolutely adore bone marrow which totally grosses my boyfriend out. He’s gotten a lot better about trying new things but bone marrow is still out of the question. More for me! Now if I could find a store to sell me some marrow bones I could die a happy girl.
I have now read a few reviews of this restaurant. And all the comments have been seriously good. I love how they plate up the meals especially the Sirloin Roll.
Oh my those desserts look heavenly. I’d be totally down for that chocolate mousse. And that duck! Yummo!
oooh that rhubarb sorbet looks divine! I like to look at a restaurant’s menu before I arrive – however then I usually get tempted by the specials anyway
I especially love the desserts.
I agree about ordering cheesecake at restaurants, but when they look as spectacular as this, I’m all for it.
Thank you for another lovely Monday morning pick me up!!
SSG xxx
I’m so glad that you reviewed this place as it’s on my list of places to eat. It looks like you had a marvellous night.
I actually went ‘oooh’ when i saw those crinkle cut chips! Why can’t all chips be like that?
I’m dying to try this place. The food looks delicious – and that dessert is 100% droolworthy.
The food looks lovely and I am loving those slate plates.
The Food looks incredible. That bone marrow made my mouth water.
oh wowwwww. that cheesecake looks amazing
im kind of new to the world of cheesecake – always a chocolate girl, but now i’m torn!
i do research my food a little – always see if there is an online menu or read online reviews.
hahaha and as for the research job… sounds like exactly what i do now! which involves lots of sitting behind a desk
but i love tv so it’s okay by me!
Yes I love to research the restaurant before we go! I also plan our holiday destinations with food in mind. We are going to banisters next month. They say the area is beautiful but I just want the seafood! Yumm-oh!
You and your blog would be my source of research for restaurant recommendation when I go to Sydney!
Yes, I ALWAYS research the menu before I go out for dinner as I’m always so busy chatting I haven’t got enough time to concentrate on the menu and the waitstaff have to keep coming back again and again. Too embarrassing and frustrating for them I’m sure. This way I already have a good idea of my order before I leave home and only need to decide if one of the specials is more to my liking. Usually works out beautifully! Also my husband will say “do you already know what I want to Order?” I know him soooo well, when it comes to food!!!!!!
This looks great. I can’t wait to pay them a visit. Both mains looks interesting but I’m more accustomed to the roast duck from places like BBQ King with rice to accompany.
How did you find the duck?
Food research is absolutely my favorite kind of research! This place looks incredible, and I love the presentation on those slate plates!
I am a freak when it comes to dining out. If I am going somewhere special (and usually if I am going anywhere new) I have a long hard look at the menu to weigh up my options. If you are spending $100 on a meal, i like to see it as an investment/experience and the 5 minutes or so you are given to order just isn’t enough time in some cases!!
oooh i really want to go here since reading Terry Durack’s review in the Herald, he was VERY impressed, did you read it? I remember him particularly remarking on those delicious looking chips!
The food looks great. The dessert I have to admit is my favourite.A great presentation on some old favourites.
Wow this place is on the “must visit” list for Sydney. I like to ooh and arr over the menu with my husband when we arrive at a restaurant. It is an important part of the dining experience. We usually choose so we can share the dishes and taste as much as we can.
I have to say Lorraine, this is one of the places I’m really keen to try now tht you’ve done a post on it. And it’s accessible too!
I’m really loving the colours and textures of these dishes, there just seems to be something intrinsically inviting about them. Really like the use of the slate plates, though I have to feel a little sorry for the waitstaff – they must be heavy!
My god, those chips.
My favourite thing to do is research where I am going to eat, and I usually have chosen what I’m going to have before I get there….
My boyfriend thinks its tragic ha ha…
Sigh. Where would I be without you to test everything out in Sydney for me first?
Thanks, Lorraine!
‘Exploding’ desserts?! Remind me to take my safety goggles with me if I should ever find myself dining there!
Yum – look at that steak with the mango!! And it’s a marriage made in heaven if you like marro and he does not.
The sirloin roll looks mouth watering. Glad no arms were seriously hurt hahaha.
Yes, the crinkle cut chips do look look tempting indeed.Bone Marrow- I could do without the diamonds, give me more bone marrow. I love sipping it as if I were a vacum cleaner.
Oh my god I am definitely definitely going here. The food all looks and sounds incredible and I LOVE pop rocks. Love love. Great review!
I think I’ll just have you you had.
Everything looks incredible. And crinkle cut chips? Yes, please!
What a charmed life you live! Bone marrow, destiny and paid food research, sigh…but it couldn’t happen to a lovelier person ;P
HOW CAN HE NOT LIKE BONE MARROW?!! Share some with me, too! Oh wow…everything looks super amazing, but I’ve got my heart on that O’Connor Scotch Fillet, grilled mango, chives, bone marrow dish!
oh fabulous! i wanted to go there. we went to the sushi place just underneath Tomislav the other day. Yum.
That sirloin roll looks fabulous. Although I have to say I think slates for presentation are getting a bit overdone they are everywhere now – but maybe I am jaded!
I really love the slate presentation and your photo of it was magnificent, how do you do that in a restaurant??? You are a genius Lorraine!!
No Lorraine, we have you to do that for us.
As for me, I’ll take the diamonds, they last forever haha but the food does look tantalising. Must note it down,’Book at Tomislav’. Loving the desserts!
Your meal looks amazing. I’ve never actually heard of the place, so will be putting it down on my list of special places to go
if at all possible, i decide what i’ll be getting beforehand. if i don’t, i’m the shmuck who takes FOREVER to pick something out, waffling back and forth between two or three options. it’s bad.
As someone who *does* order cheesecake out because I’m too impatient to wait a day for a homemade one to cool… that dessert looks amazing!
And yes, I’m a big proponent of researching – helps build the excitement, though I have to remind myself not to get too hung up in case what I wanted is no longer on the menu!
Research is my middle name! Love to anticipate making my informed choice. Those chips – everything looks so good, I love eating with heaps of like-minded people so we can order everything on the menu, hehe!
You had me at the sirloin rolls!
What a fantastic restaurant! I seriously need to take myself out somewhere nice to eat but there are so many choices; this looks like one of them. Food looks amazing and I’m intrigued by the dark choc mousse dessert. Ant always chooses the chocolate dessert whenever we go out to eat and he loves dark choc; so I gotta take him there to see his reaction to the dessert. HAHA!
I like how the dishes are all very simply but stylishly put together and presented. Not too frou frou or mad. I love it! I want the wasabi crumbs, those generous crinkle cut chips and the duck., not to forget ALL the pudding. Looks too good for my poor heart. And you used to work in advertising? I’m so jealous of your life right this moment. x
Sounds and looks divine! I usually do research if I can, I like thinking about the options then deciding =)
I love the swish of beetroot across the plate with the duck! it all looks so delish… except for the risotto.
I often do research, I feel really down when I get dissapointed with a place.
I would love to try that rhubarb sorbet and love the idea of wasabi crumbs.
Oh I’ve just seen the hidden poprocks trick on a show! It’s called Heston’s Feasts and we get it on youtube TV, he made a cake that literally spewed custard and hid a pop-rock shortbread in it. brilliant stuff
I always look at the online menu first to get an idea, and in most cases, decide in advance what to have. I am impatient and don’t enjoy sitting in the restaurant for hours on end, so whatever quickens the process is good by me!
Ooh those sirloin rolls look delicious! Not so sure about pre-cut steak though… although that chocolate mousse would make up for anything in my book!
As for researching, if i’m going somewhere new I definitely like to have the time to sit & ponder what i’m going to choose. It draws out the enjoyment!
I’m so glad you did a review Lorraine, our Customer Service Manager Jeremy has been raving about Tomislav since it opened (he dined there on NYE 2010), and I’m heading there in 2 days for my birthday dinner! Excitement levels are off the scales now – yippee!
Hi Arlette-Oooh yes it’s gorgeous in stock! Hehe good idea!
Hi Deanna-Isn’t that funny!
yes that’s the way I look at it too! 
I wonder if butchers would if you asked for it? But I wouldn’t blame them if they’re keeping it for themselves 
Hi Mark-yes it’s great I have to say-we were so pleased with our meal
Hi Esz-Yes we couldn’t resist the desserts and we usually share them!
Hi Lisa-it was so delicious! Hehe yes it’s hard when the specials sound tempting!
Hi Sydney Shop Girl-I know, all the rules are out the window when you see them!
You’re welcome! xxx
Hi Kristy-Ahh fabulous! We did-a grea place for a romantic date!
Hi Betty-Hehe you are so cute!
Yes why can’t they!
Hi Zina-I’m amazed it wasn’t booked out to be honest! But we ate early so perhaps that was why.
Hi sandra-They’re nice aren’t they!
Hi Katherine-Wait til you try it-so good!
Hi emma-Ooh I have to say that they’re both good but the chocolate does have the pop rock element but the cheesecake is amazing! I guess I didn’t help
Ahh I wonder if it’s at the same place! 
Hi canobie-Absolutely-it’s a good idea!
Have fun and let us know what it’s like! 
Hi shirley-Aww wonderful, thankyou so much!
Hi Natalie Donkin-Ahh that’s a good reason, we sometimes take ages to order, especially when I’m catching up with girlfriends! hehe that’s great!
Hi Peter-Yes it’s a completely different kind of duck, more European duck. It’s delicious with a tang and a sweetness to it.
Hi Faith-haha you and me both!
Isn’t it stylish!
Hi gastronomy gal-Oh that’s entirely fair enough I think!
there’s nothing worse than making a bad menu choice! 
Hi Julia-I just saw it-the chips are very, very good but I have to say that I thought the rest of the food was better!
Hi Portuguese Kitchen-yes it’s so innovative isn’t it!
Hi MissJane-That’s what we do too, I love doing a plate swap!
Hi Sweets By Vicky-yes it’s great-I hope you like it!
Hi Conor-Yes I contemplated buying some for styling!
Hi Gillian-Oh no it’s not tragic-tell him that tragedy is picking the wrong meal
Hi Celia-Hehe you’re more than welcome!
Hi Laura-Haha! Just don’t peer too close to the pop rocks!
Hi Cakelaw-I know, we were definitely meant to be together
Hi Sara-Hehe I was too. Doesn’t make for much of a romantic date then!
Hi Adrian-Haha I can picture that!
Hi Alex-Fantastic! I’d love to know what you think of it!
Thankyou!
Hi lifeinapinkfibro-hehe good idea!
Hi Karen-it was great I have to say! No dud courses
Hi Sasa-Hehe it’s a lot of fun I have to say! Aww thankyou so much!
Hi sophia-I know, but I’m not really interested in persuading him otherwise if you know what I mean
Hi clare-Ahhh how is that place?
Hi Gourmet Chick-really? I haven’t seen it at many places at all here? Or do you mean in London?
Hi deana-thankyou! Hehe that’s Mr NQN’s steady hand!
Hi Matilda-Hehe well I’m happy to!
Good idea! I’d love to know what you think of it! 
Hi Rose-Fantastic, I hope you like it!
Hi grace-hehe I can be like that too-sometimes I hate it when they say “everything’s good”. That doesn’t help decide!
Hi Hannah-yes the scallop risotto changing was disappointing but the prawn one was a nice substitute!
Hi Moya-Ahh good stuff! Yes isn’t that great when they do that and they share too!
Hi Red Dirt Mummy-they were a great start!
Hi Phuoc-Hehe don’t tell him about the pop rocks!
Hi diva-Yes it’s simple but good. yes they were all so good which is good for a romantic date as you don’t want to be kvetching about bad meals then. Yes I did
Aww darling! x
Hi Mowie-Yes it gets one excited thinking about the food!
Hi Amy-You don’t like risotto?
Yes the swish was so pretty!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-yes they were very clever!
Hi Jade-Oh yes I love Heston’s Feasts-that ejaculating cake was brilliant!
Hi joey-hehe interesting that you don’t like to sit in restaurants for long
Hi Phunk-funnily enough, we didn’t mind the pre cut steak
yes that is so true! 
Hi Mei-Ahh fantastic! Happy Birthday Mei!! I hope you have a wonderful night!!
I have heard so many good things about this place – another to list to my long list of ‘to eats’!
I am happy to see that this is just up the road from where I stay in Rushcutters every time I visit Sydney, so on my list. Where would I dine with out you Loraine??
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[...] mousse dome was no longer on the Tomislav menu. I had looked at it longingly when I read reviews by Not Quite Nigella, Eat Show & Tell and FoodiePop. Alas, we persisted with the four desserts that were featured [...]
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