Mother’s Days can be tricky. You want to find somewhere good that will please your mother but often, especially if you are paired up, you might have two Mothers to keep in mind. And if you are anything like Mr NQN and I and you have mums that are polar opposites. My mum: conservative, wears pearls, loves butter and expensive presents. Mr NQN’s mum: vegetarian, artistic and wears purple flowing clothes with scarves and never celebrates birthdays. So in my research, when I came across a place conservative enough for my mum yet artistic enough for his, I picked up the phone to book straight away. And got the answering machine of course since it was 8pm.
We arrive at 12 noon having dismissed the idea of the Afternoon Tea (said by some to be not as good as lunch). Tuulikki (Mr NQN’s mum) was waiting outside and we headed towards the restaurant on the ground floor. Underneath is the cafe (where we later peek and see a lot of exhausted people sprawled on chairs) and to the right they hold a children’s art class (a good idea to park your kids while you lunch although I think you have to collect them afterwards 
).
There are floor to ceiling windows and the whole room is like a glass cube perched on the side of Woolloomooloo Bay. The pick of the tables (and one that you can request when booking) are the ones facing the Harbour. Service is all male, smooth and efficient and comes in all sorts of soft accents. When there are exhibitions, the restaurant features set menus of 2 or 3 courses with an entry ticket and currently there is an Archibald Prize Set menu with 2 courses plus ticket for $59.50 and 3 courses plus ticket for $70. We go a la carte and share the food whilst Tuulikki as the only vegetarian picks her own.
Confit prawn, crisp pork belly, pickled cucumber $22
This is good, with a huge single prawn cooked well although the confit of prawn here doesn’t taste particularly different from other methods of cooking it unlike confit of duck which has quite a different texture. There is a soft pork belly and a vinegary pickled cucumber with flecks of chilli. It’s for those who might want a bit of seafood with meat (and no I didn’t mention surf and turf did I? )
Baked eggplant, fatoush, sheep’s milk yoghurt, mint $19
Tuulikki’s eggplant is soft baked and then crumbed and fried so that it has a soft centre and a crunchy outer. She enjoys this very much although I only tried the eggplant as it wasn’t a huge serve.
Cured ocean trout, fennel, watercress, roe, honey mustard dressing $22
The serve of the thinly sliced cured ocean trout is generous but it is very strong in flavour from both the salty roe and salty ocean trout and there was a lot of mustard dressing which could have used a bit more honey. Relief is in the peppery watercress although some more salad or a fresh lemon olive oil would have been lovely.
Brioche crumbed duck sausage, green lentil, raspberry vinaigrette $20
Although this is a single crumbed duck sausage, it is not an ordinary sausage. There is soft, tender duck meat packed in a sausage shape and it reminds me of a rillette. The crumbing gives it a nice light crunchiness and the raspberry vinaigrette gives the lentils an interesting sourness although I preferred the duck sausage on its own.
Chicken, taleggio, duxelle, creamed parsnip, madeira jus $31.50
As soon as they sat this dish down I smelt thyme. Full disclosure Dear Readers, I just don’t like thyme and it makes me nauseous although I realise I’m in the minority. The serve is generous and it comes with a parsnip mash. I am also not a huge parsnip lover – it’s ok and I’m not a Don Burke on the matter but I kept hoping that the creamy spoonful would be any other kind of mash so I never was going to love this dish. Neither do my parents (maybe the thyme thing is a hereditary thing).
Confit pork cheek, pickled cabbage, apple crisp, calvados sauce $30.50
This dish is however my kind of people. The pork cheek is softer than soft with the fat, jellied layers while the thick crackling is super crunchy-the kind of crunchy that you hear in your ears. And the cabbage and apples are such a classic pairing that is hard to go wrong.
Wild rocket, pear, goats curd, caramelised hazelnuts $10.50
We share a side salad with red wine cooked pears, little crumbled pieces of goat’s curd, lightly toffeed hazelnuts and wild rocket with a light dressing. My favourite parts are of course the red wine cooked pears and goat’s curd and whilst the idea of the toffee hazelnuts are nice they mostly sank to the bottom of the salad.
Rhubarb & mandarin jelly, coconut, apple foam $16
Mums all love dessert don’t they? Well actually Mr NQN’s mum doesn’t really but my mum does so we order a couple to share. The jelly is set in a glass and is strongly flavoured with the rhubarb and mandarin. There is also some liquid with the apple and coconut foam. It’s fresh and it’s fruity.
Chocolate & chestnut mousse cake, pistachio ice cream $17
The chocolate and chestnut mousse cake looks impressive. The cake itself doesn’t taste like chestnut really, more like a chocolate mousse cake with a thick layer of glossy ganache on top. The pistachio ice cream is a disappointment. It tastes like almond paste with some ground pistachios. Although I’ve never been able to find a good pistachio ice cream here that can compare to the pistachio ice cream at Berthillon in Paris, it looks like my search continues. Interestingly, the chocolate triangle looks as though it would be crunchy but isn’t.
So tell me Dear Reader, what are your in laws like? Are they similar to you or quite different? And do you get along?
Art Gallery of NSW Restaurant
Art Gallery Rd, Sydney, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9225 1819
Lunch: 7 days, 12noon – 3pm
High tea: 7 days, 2 – 4pm
Brunch: Saturdays & Sundays, 10am – 11.30am
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47 Comments | Add your own
Hmmm I better not answer your question so I keep everyone happy
But the food looks interesting here and even though I knew they had a cafe I didn’ know they do “real” food as well!
A restaurant where they entertain your kids whilst you eat a 3 course meal? I’m headin’ right over!!!
eggplant, sausage, and apple foam–good eats. no thyme for you, eh? interesting aversion–i guess it must indeed be hereditary! no in-laws yet, but i predict they’ll be quite different from me…most people are.
What a lovely Mother’s Day meal! That duck sausage dish sounds really delicious with all the different flavors and textures going on!
Hmm sounds like the food looked better than it tasted which is a shame.
How wonderful does that prawn / pork belly combo look!!!!
I am lucky to have fantastic in-laws!!!!
What a great choice for two very different mothers! Great location too!
That pork cheek looks incredible!! YUM.
My in-laws (well, we’re not married but defacto) couldn’t be more different. My parents are the liberal creative type and my boyfriends parents are conservative and religious. They haven’t met and I dread the day!!
The pork cheek looks delicious. The Art Gallery is so nice. I will be taking my mum there for lunch soon.
Interesting to see the food there as I had tried to book on the same day, (booked out due to Mothers day) and ended up at the Observatory Hotel instead. So this one is still on my list to do. Food and art its all good!
i didnt know there was a restaurant inside the art gallery, food looks very nice
and love that last phot of .. is it a piano?? or stairs?? eheh
Hmm,this is a good question. But I can say all of our parents and we both too get along quiet well, rather very well. Me and P both have doting In-Laws esp mother in laws
.
And as you mentioned both my mom and my mother in law have different personalities. My mom being mother of 3, including me is bit of conservative and my mother in law having just 1 child, P, is quiet bubbly by character and funny sort of enthusiast, rather easy person to get along. Over the years we have become more of pals than in-laws by relation which is quiet rare in Indian culture.
What an interesting selection of food! Pity about the chocolate dessert because it looks fantastic
The duck sausage and the simple rocket salad are calling out to me off the screen!
I am extremely blessed with brilliant parents in law – so thoughtful and kind and very much like my own mum – between both sides it’s hard to get anything done with them all bending over backwards to try and keep us happy all the time!
Interestingly my kids took me, a sophisticated 41, to the MCA restaurant on mother’s day. Another gallery a different experience..jazz band, set lunch for 70 and free glass of fizz – overlooking the quay. Was great – perhaps try there next year, both mums might like it!
You had me with that ocean trout… what a lovely plate that is… and the chicken with madeira… so sorry you don’t like thyme…aren’t we funny about things like that. I have an older friend who’s the product of English boarding schools… when he smells parsnips he just dies. Me, I love em! Great review, Lorraine!
The food and prices look as much as I’d expect from a venue like this. As for the “mother in law”, she’s stubborn though easy to please, relaxed, accepting, loveable, loves a drink and doesn’t hold back on anything
My Inlaws live in the USA so we don’t see them often at all, lovely people but very different tastes in a lot of things.
Have you tried the Pistachio ice cream at Gelatomassi in Newtown.
http://www.gelatomassi.com.au
They have amazing Gelato, The coconut, apple crumble and cinnamon are the ones we brought home with us and the 3 were so amazing. I had the Pistachio in a cone at the store …YUM!!
The meals look very interesting and well plated. I think I ate here a long, long time ago and enjoyed the experience and lunch. Must give it another go soon.
My in-laws are Indian whilst my family is of Italian heritage,so culturally we are poles apart but we all get along well and most importantly food plays a major role. When there is a party or get together, there is such a mix of cuisine but it all works, oodles of yummy dishes to share and indulge in
Hi Lorraine,
Well done, good job organising lunch for 2 mums from opposites polars hehehe …
I like the piano!!!
My in laws are great, especially my Mum in law. She’s fun to be with and open minded. My parents live overseas so it’s great to have my in laws close by (no … not in the same house hahaha)
oo~ i like the desserts!!!
that piano is very amazing too…i wonder who gets to play it =P
We’re so glad that you had a lovely time at the Restaurant for Mothers Day. Your photographs of the food (as always!) are fantastic.
Thanks for sharing. Molly (from the Art Gallery of NSW)
the eggplant dish looks fantastic!
Great post which brought back lots of memories for me. I used to meet up with a dear friend who lived in Sydney (now lives overseas) and spend many long lunches at the Art Gallery of NSW Restaurant, followed by copious glasses of bubbly before tipsily exploring the gallery and inventing fantastic stories behind the beautiful paintings.
The food looks better than I remember. I will definitely have to go back next time I am in Sydney.
my inlaws are great… they own a restaurant, so it’s always great fun going to their place. my mum in law makes the best soups! and my wife’s extended family live in bowral… the drive down there is always pleasant… love the quietness and the fact that there are no lines in COLES on the weekend there!
Hmmm! I ate there only last week. The pork cheek was absolutely stunning as you found. I can’t remember the rest of the meal at all…. it was… nice. (is that damning with faint praise? – I don’t mean it to be).
Really wanting to try the duck sausage and the pork cheek. What a great find for Mother’s day or any other day.
Great place to have a relaxing lunch and be cultured!
That eggplant dish is pretty, but OMG OMG OMG. Chocolate, chestnut, and pistachio? That is my utopia of desserts. Lorraine, your blog is sometimes painful to me
Ooh this looks delightful! I love museum and gallery cafes (Australia and the UK do this particularly well I think).
Although my mother-in-law is absolutely lovely, we are from polar opposite backgrounds and she is impossible to cook for (I like things like pear and blue cheese pizza, she likes meat and three veg).
Briony xx
My in-laws are very different to my parents! We never spend time with both families together……
Great post which brought back lots of memories for me. I used to meet up with a dear friend who lived in Sydney (now lives overseas) and spend many long lunches at the Art Gallery of NSW Restaurant, followed by copious glasses of bubbly before tipsily exploring the gallery and inventing fantastic stories behind the beautiful paintings.
The food looks better than I remember. I will definitely have to go back next time I am in Sydney.
The dessert looks fabulous. I can just picture myself eating that Chocolate and Chesnut mousse. Too bad the ice cream wasn’t as good.
Best pistachio ice cream = Bar Italia in leichhardt HANDS DOWN!!!
Oh loooks like a place to try out on my next day off =D Our parents havn’t met each other yet and I dread the day they do!
How fun and I usually have had great meals at Art Museums like the ones in Paris ; sounds like a fun outing too trying to manage the two polar opposites! Ha!
My former mother-in-law is a character out of a Cowboy movie, a modern-day Calamity Jane, who used to beat up Texas cops and is not afraid of anything. I am friends with her and told her I wanted to write a book about her colorful life.
omg, that eggplant is calling me. CALLING me!!! *pet pet pet*
I love the description of your mother “likes pearls and butter” Me too!!! LOL
. I’ve eaten much fancier, but baskin’s one is the best in my book
I hope both your mother and mother in law had a wonderful mother’s day, it looked like a fabulous place.
My in laws are lovely, but i have to admit, it took me a while to feel that way. Over the time I’ve grown to love them very much, but we’ve had our share of stumbling along the way.
p.s. my fav pistacio ice cream is at basking robbins
I’ve never eaten at the restaurant bit (with two kids in tow, I might scare the natives). But I LOVE the cafe downstairs which is loud enough to withstand the onslaught of kids, and the food is great
My in-laws and my parents are actually pretty similar and we do get along, although when we first met, I freaked mum-in-law out by adding too much chilli in her dinner …ooops.
Hello my friend, and happy belated mother’s day, I hope you had a great time with your two mums on both sides. The food looks very appetizing.
My inlaws are totaly different than me, they are very traditional French Canadian, when it comes to food, they are so picky and not open to try new flavours. They love and enjoy my baking.
ohhhhh lovely! must take my mum there as the food and view look stunning! and they have the time and no children to enjoy galleries!
love the differences between your mum and MIL. My mum is very proper, loves her designer labels, eating out, and is almost a regular at pilu. MIL is much older, had 7 children, thrifty and wolfs down her food even when you’re out because she still must think she has 7 children to get dessert for. I try not to focus on her eating otherwise I have to stop all the giggles because it’s just so funny to watch!!!!!!!!!!!
looks like a perfect day! we did clonny’s at clontarf and it was just perfect for my mum!
Corrie;)
My mum and mum-in-law could not be more different. My mum like yours (must be the Singaporean connection), Loves pretty and expensive things too and likes going out to nice places to eat. My mother in law however, is alot simpler, doesn’t like presents and neither does she like going out to eat. It is a struggle with both mums but somehow we manage
I’m incredibly spoilt by my inlaws!
Hi Maria-Haha very diplomatic!
yes this was our first visit here to the restaurant!
Hi Sarah-I know, how cool is that?
Hi grace-Yeah I think it must be and I know I’m in the minority there
haha!
Hi Faith-It was really nice and ideal for both mums
Hi sandra-No, not really. It was good food?
Hi Lisa-Ahh how fabulous! I think that’s great!
Hi Liss-Thanks! It came to me one night!
Hi Esz-Doesn’t it just?
Hehe sounds like we have the same dynamic going on here but opposite! Aww I bet they get along 
Hi Katherine-It was really good!
Fantastic, I hope she loves it!
Hi cityhippyfarmgirl-ahh how was the Observatory?
I agree!
Hi Betty-Yes I had only been to the cafe before! haha a bit of both!
Hi Mokita-Oh that’s fantastic!
That’s so lovely!!
Hi sam-It was
I think it covered most bases. Yes I wanted more chestnut in it 
Hi Shan-hehe! I get food that does that to me too!
Oh that’s absolutely wonderful! 
Hi Moira-That sounds great! Maybe that will be for next year?!
Thankyou for the suggestion!
Hi deana-I know, I wish I liked it and I didn’t use to mind it! Oh no, how funny!
Thankyou!
Hi john-Yes although the cafe has got it covered for those that don’t want to spend as much. Aww she sounds like lots of fun!
Hi Belinda-Ahh that’s a very safe distance! I don’t think I have tried it yet so thanks for the suggestion!
Hi Matilda-Ahh cool!
I think that is just wonderful! Absolutely so! 
Hi AR-Thankyou! I felt so relieved when I booked there!
Me too, isn’t it great! haha yes in the same house is way too close isn’t it! 
Hi Yuki-I don’t know if anyone does but I’d love to!
Hi Molly-Thankyou so much Molly and thanks for commenting and reading! What a pleasant surprise!
Hi lola-Yes I think she was very happy with her choice!
Hi delicieux-Oh how fabulous!
Sounds like you had a lot of great time with them! 
I wonder if they’ve changed management? 
Hi kewpie-Oh I bet it is! How great is that! Haha sounds like you really look forawrd to hanging out with them!
Hi retired foodie-Ahh what a coincidence!
Yes wasn’t it so lovely and soft yet with a lovely crunchy crackling! Haha! 
Hi Sara-Thanks, I felt so relieved I have to say!
Hi joey-thanks, indeedy!
Hi Hannah-haha it really is you in a dessert isn’t it!
haha I’ll take that as a compliment! 
Hi Miss B-I do agree! UK galleries are amazing! Ahh how very different! :O xxx
Hi Amy-Ah I see! I suppose if everyone prefers it that way then it’s good!
Hi foodie-central-Ahh yes I am very fussy with my pistachio ice cream
Hi Enm-Ahh sounds like I need to head to some Italian places!
Hi angie-excellent! I love strolling around the Art Gallery so when you combine it with food, it’s brilliant!
Oh I bet they get along! 
Hi Joumana-Hehe thanks! yes I am was so happy to have found somewhere!
Haha she definitely sounds like she needs a book written about her! 
Hi pinknest-Haha you are too funny!
Hi Heavenly Housewife-hehe that pretty much sums her up!
Ahh that’s understandable isn’t it! Glad to hear that everyone is friends now! 
Hmmm you know I’ve never tried theirs before!
Hi shaz-haha that’s important with kids in tow. I’d say that the restaurant is not really that much for kids
Haha that’s hilarious! 
Hi Arlette-Happy belated Mother’s Day to you too! We did indeed!
Ahh interesting, and I’m sure they absolutely love your baking! 
Hi corrie-haha so true indeed!
Aww your mum sounds just like my mum! Your poor MIL 
Oh how fabulous-what a perfect location! 
Hi Einna-Haha I wonder if it is a Singaporean mother thing
Actually it sounds like very much the same situation! 
Hi Fiona-Lucky you!
I’m so with you on the pork. Pork belly, pork cheek, roast pork, pork crackling… yum!
The salad looks nice too
Hi, I am glad you enjoyed the lunch at the restaurant. We have just put a new menu in which is fantastic ! kind regards Peter Morgan-Jones
( Head Chef at the restaurant , Art Gallery NSW )
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