Hola!
Yes, not the El Bulli (where I hope to make it one day) but the Surry Hills version. This was our third attempt at securing a table at El Bulli. The first went wrong when I tried to book for Mr NQN and I. They told us that they don’t take bookings but if we want to come by around 6pm-7pm we could get a table. Not wanting to eat quite that early we didn’t. The second time we turned up at 7pm only to be told they were fully booked yet they could take booking for tables of more than 2. This time we managed to secure a booking but a) it would have to be at 6:15pm and b) we would have to give the table back at 8pm. Apparently during a Saturday night, they do three sittings!
Mr NQN and I walk in on time mindful of the 8pm pumpkin time when Cinderella has to give back her glass slippers. Inside it is all warmly lit with orange tones. Candles with huge wax drippings underneath them glow and there’s wood all around (and I’ve kept the light in the photos as is to convey the lovely orange shade). There’s even a wooden menu at some tables and when I enquire about this the maitre’d jokes that is is for naughty customers with a wink. When I drop it and make a kerfuffle (ok you knew clumsy me would do that didn’t you?) he wags a finger at me. My phone beeps and it’s Teena and Philippe and they’re running 10-15 minutes late. Then a minute later Gina and Hot Dog text us and tell us they’re 10 minutes late. Arrrgh Cinderella!
We take a look at the menu which tells us how tapas originated in the South of Spain as a result of a glass of sherry accompanying an outdoor meal. To keep the fruit flies out of the glass they placed a small plate (a tapa) over the top and added some small tasty morsels of olives, ham etc on top of that. The menu is quite detailed with the usual tapas items (there’s nothing experimental a la Bodega). Fittingly given the story of the origins of tapas, the alcohol list is extensive and much larger than the food menu with five Spanish beers and one Argentinian beer.
Almendras Tostadas -Toasted seasoned almonds $6.50
Service is charming and friendly and smooths any edges or ruffles you may have for getting a table for a limited time. We order something to nibble on while we’re busy counting down until they get here. The almonds are seasoned and salted with a buttery oily coating.
Bread with alioli (complimentary)
The bread comes with a small pot of delicious garlic alioli (just like aioli), a garlic mayonnaise.
Sangria jug $21.50
Croquetas de Jamon $14.50
The slender croquettas arrive. There are usually fewer in a serve but the waiter asks us if we would like six so that we can all try it which is thoughtful (good as it’s a pet annoyance of Teena’s). They’re lovely and soft inside with a very light crunchy coating on the outside and a drizzle of alioli on top. The filling is made of ham and white sauce which gives it that softness inside.
Empanadillas $15.50
We’ve upsized this to get six of these empanadillas too (there are usually four) and when it is set down we are first reminded of curry puffs. The first bite yields deep fried puff pastry and inside there is very finely minced beef. There is also said to be olives and egg but as these are smaller than other empanadas we’ve tried I don’t see the egg or olive in the centre.
Alitas al Ajillo Garlic Chicken Wings $14.50
Gina and Hot Dog love chicken wings and this is a generous serve which allows most of us to have two each. They’re surprisingly bland in flavour, we thought that they’d be strong in garlic but considering the flavour of the previous dishes, it ends up tasting unseasoned and not very garlicky at all.
Patatas El Bulli-Deep fried chat potatoes served with emulsion of fritas and bravas dressing (house favourite) $10.50
The potatoes are cut into little bite sized morsels and dressed with a creamy garlic tomato sauce.
Pulpitos a la Plancha-Chargrilled octopus $14.50
We’re getting into more serious garlic territory here (which is what we want really) with the chargrilled baby octopus. It’s not quite as tender as we’ve had but there’s strong garlic and lemon with the Chimichurri sauce.
Huevos a la Flamenco $16.50
The eggs a la Flamenco come with finely chopped chorizo and a blanket of tomato sauce and two sunny eggs side up up. It’s more of a breakfast dish and there is possibly a bit too much tomato sauce so we ask for some bread to mop it up and they bring us a generous serve with some delicious alioli.
Albondigas con tuco traditional Spanish meatballs seasoned with paprika, served in tomato salsa. $14.50
This plate comes steaming hot to the table and keeps sizzling and steaming away for a good few minutes afterwards. The meatballs are covered in a thick tomato salsa, like a concasse that has been reduced down (rather than perhaps the uncooked tomato salsa we are familiar with). Once we wait the requisite tongue burning time, I split a meatball open. The meat is soft, well seasoned and delicious. We are not disappointed at all.
Gambas al Ajillo: panfried prawns in garlic oil, salt and pepper with a hint of chilli oil $19.50
The serve of prawns is generous again and gets us about two prawns each but perhaps lacks a bit of vibrancy when preceded with these dishes.
Gnocchi con Picos: crispy gnocchi $15.50
The one dish that had Hot Dog running away (blue cheese makes him nauseous so he had to have some time out outside) was the one that had the rest of us swooning. Small morsels of gnocchi that were slightly crispy on the outside but beautifully soft inside are coated with a creamy white wine blue cheese sauce. The small pieces of serrano ham are a little firm but the gnocchi are heavenly.
Mejillones en Salsa Picante: mussels cooked in a traditional Spanish salsa with escahllots, basil, chilli and garlic $17.50
Our last dish was a large one with a bowl of spicy tomato mussels. Surprisngly we notice that the other dishes weren’t particularly spicy but this one gives a light tingle at the end. The mussels are good and we enjoy picking out the sweet briney morsels inside.
As the clock strikes 8pm we Cinderellas have to give back our table and forego the churros!
So tell me Dear Reader, do time limits on tables bother you?
El Bulli
501 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9319 5199
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now? 
NQN on Facebook
RSS
59 Comments | Add your own
I’ve been meaning to try this place, interesting! Yes, time limits do bother me, especially if I’m with a large group of people, there’s no way we can get out in 2 hours!
I’ve enjoyed many a tapas in Spain but I had no idea it originated as a way to keep the flies out! You do such a great job of conveying the feeling of a place through your writing and photos Lorraine, love your work.
Yes! Especially when you are having a lovely time and wish to stay. It’s better they tell you before hand and don’t just stand around the table making you uncomfortable!
ooooh what tasty dishes! And I must say that I dont mind sangria either
Too bad about having to forego the churros, but the rest of the meal definitely made up for it — everything looks great! Time limits on tables do bother me a little just because it’s in the back of my mind throughout the whole meal.
We rarely get to go out to dinner. We have never had a time limit, but I would not care for one unless it was reasonable,
and the service prompt to enjoy the time.
We do not have time limits here in Florida on tables in restaurants. But sometimes I wish there were time limits. Instead they say it will be this many minutes-hours before a table opens up.
Yes, time constraints bother me, as do “no reservation” restaurants. Good luck to them, but they’re not for me…
I absolutely loath having a time limit in restaurants and that was one of the reasons I didn’t enjoy my night at El Bulli. I found the food was quite ordinary and the noise unbearable. People rave about this place and I just can’t see it
I have a fabulous vietnamese restaurant near me (Mylan, Crown St Wollongong) which has two sittings on a Saturday night but I find that the places that have time limits are the ones with oh-so-fabulous food.. take the tempura vegetables with coriander and garlic yoghurt for example… droooooooooooool
I understand if we are told upfront. It’s very frustrating from the houses point of view if a couple of customers hang around on a busy night not ordering much.
Time limits do annoy me if they are unreasonable but I understand that restaurants do need to turn tables over. It’s a fine balance between being polite about it and throwing people out halfway through their meal. If the time limit is reasonable, the prices not too expensive and the food comes at a fast enough place then I do think it’s usually ok.
I always think that a good tapas restaurant from the Patatas Bravas and the Albondigas. If they are good then it’s usually a great restaurant. I love the look of those croquettes!
Omg I looooove Spanish food…those tapas look heavenly!!! I’m drooling whilst reading your review
this place is not for me…don’t like the no booking policy and the time limit considering that it’s not a cheap restaurant!
Mmm everything looks so tasty, especially that gnocchi!
Who knew there was even ANOTHER El Bulli out there? Well, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to snag a seat at the OTHER one before it closes in a year or two. But at least, there’s still the hope I’ll make it to THIS El Bulli. I’m ready to tackle that gnocchi with blue cheese all by myself, too.
I have been to El Bulli once with a friend, a devout fan. I was so disappointed. I’ve grown up eating my mother and grandmother’s authentic and delicious Spanish cooking and El Bulli was no competition! My favourite Spanish restaurant – as good as any tapas bar in Spain – is En Casa on Pitt Street, Sydney. I’ve been there countless times and keep going back for more. Authentic Spanish tapas, friendly service at more than reasonable prices. A must for all tapas lovers!
Ooooh…. I’ve become addicted to roasted salted nuts since my “eat more salt” Dr visit, so those almonds look divine! And oh my lord, crispy blue cheese gnocchi… oh my lord!
Love the Panadol sitting next to the sangria – trying to prevent a hangover?
I don’t like time limits on tables, mainly because i’m one of the slowest eaters known to man & can’t enjoy my meal if I have to rush.
Maybe it’s a Spanish thing…? Kika’s does that too. Been there a few times when they’d told us to leave at a certain time, cuz of different sittings. Three sittings in one night… wow.
Don’t you just love when a restaurant tells you how long it will take you eat? It looks like really neat though.
Hi Lorraine,
i drive past this place every day and always wondered what it was like so thanks!
cheers!
tim
They certainly do! They had a drive in London to name and shame places that were trying to table-turn. We should all be allowed to sit as long as we want.
Wow, I am glad that you enjoyed the food, because it took some effort to get here. I am not that keen to go anywhere. I think the time limit is silly if the customer wants to keep eating/drinking – after all, it’s revenue in.
All looks very tasty – but alas no churros!
Three sittings is pretty ambitious! Not a big fan of time limits, its not very relaxing knowing you will be kicked out soon!
The toasted Gnocchi looks delicious. Oh El Bulli. I would love to be able to dine there one day too.
I must admit if I ring to make a booking and they give me a time limit I don’t make the booking and go elsewhere.
apas also is one of those style of meals where you eat, drink, talk and take your time and enjoy the small dishes as they are served.
I can’t stand places that are so fussy with their bookings – it is very off-putting! But at least you finally made it there
We drive past this place on the way home from the city every week – and there’s usually a group of people waiting to get in close to 5pm!
Looks interesting… I’d definitely give it a try, if I had the money and people to go with!
TAPAS!! Oh how I love tapas! That all looks glorious. Yum – I have cravings now
We had a very disappointing experience at the Randwick restaurant that I wouldn’t be keen to try it even at a different location.
We didn’t have a time limit because we had the latest sitting but it was a disaster of an evening. Seems we weren’t the only ones because I have since had comments on my post from people who had worse experiences.
Sangria and Panadol goes perfectly together
Mmm, sounds lovely, but I do have a pet hate for restaurants that put a limit on the time you can enjoy their food. Sure, I know they have a business to run, but if they really love food and drink, surely it is at their advantage to ensure real fans linger longer?
Yum, I love that place… been with some uni friends for a girls night out and boy are their sangrias lethal lol
Great review, looking forward to visiting soon
Looks tasty! Shame that it took you 3 goes to get a chance to eat there. I guess If I want to enjoy the night at my own leisure being given a time limit will put me off, but if it’s just us two wanting a good meal at a popular place and we havn’t made a booking, well okay fair enough.
That’s not long enough to enjoy El Bulli’s food & your dining partners’ company. You want a relaxing time, chatting & drinking, not a piggy-scoff & go experience when you dine out.
I had tapas over the weekend too!
I can understand the need for two seatings sometimes, but three is a bit much isn’t it?!
Candles or not the pics look good to me
.
Very interesting, thank you for sharing and I hope you can make it to the other Bulli….when it opens again!!!!!!!!
Crispy gnocchi mmmmmm but I must admit I hate the no booking policies of restaurants, I hate queueing and refuse to believe that any place is worth waiting hours for!
Wow with such tight restrictions on their clientele you think maybe THEY think they’re El Bulli from Spain?!! I don’t usually mind time restrictions that are reasonable (2-3 hours) but trying to fit 3 seatings in one night is crazy. The food does look good though!
That gnocchi really took my fancy – looks rich and intense with a great sounding texture.
One place we go to frequently often has time limits on the tables but it’s cheap and the food is served so quickly that you’d be really hanging around if you stayed longer than they suggest anyway. If I was paying a lot I wouldn’t be willing to go somewhere with time limits.
What a feast. I need to try some more Spanish food – I’d love to try out El Bulli. (And the real one even more
)
I don’t like the idea of table limit but can understand the need to turn tables. So usually I try to book for the 2nd session.
Time limits on tables are all the rage here in London. We have eaten at Hix, OXO Tower, and sundry other restaurants who all advise you have two hours in which to consume the food. Our theory is that in reality they have 2 hours to get us the food and drink that we want, and if they fail to do so it is not our problem but theirs and we will stay until we’ve finished our dinner. Normally they manage it, but not always!!
Wow, the portions are really huge for tapas. Did they actually shoo you out at 8? Restaurants always tell us there’s a time limit they tend not to do anything when the time comes.
Eating out is an experience, one that should not be rushed, and so it should be up to the diner to decide when it is time to leave as this is part of the experience they are paying for.
I guess as dining out is becoming more and more popular businesses are having to increase turnover, but i think the patron should be able to deduce when they have overstayed.
El Bulli Looks amazing, i just want to dig into those mussels right now!
the food here look tasty and so well constructed. sounds like a hit place!
Hmmm..to my knowledge, there are no time limits on tables here in the Rocky Mountains….I think I’d probably walk out if my server gave me a time limit on the table! I guess things are just different here in the wild wild west!
The gnocchi looks good to me too, Lorraine!
I swear, you guys have the greatest restaurants! It’s such fun to read your posts and see what the decor is as well as the food. I NEVER rememeber to take my camera and my cell phone takes lousy photos.
i’ll be honest–i’ve never eaten anywhere where a time limit was imposed, so i can’t answer your question. also, i feel pathetic.
some crispy gnocchi would help…
love the patatas bravas :O)
Being of Italian origin, ( I think we invented the Long Lunch and spend hours around the dinner table), I would hate having to eat to a time limit. If I’m really desperate to try a restaurant then I take the second sitting so it guarantees I can linger longer.
I’ve never tried Spanish crispy gnocchi so I’d definitely order those along with the croquettes.
Time limits do make me feel a bit pressured and rushed but if it’s something that’s been agreed to beforehand then you really can’t complain. Definitely worse if you’re not forewarned but receive hurried service.
Hi Maria-I know it’s so hard with a large group and people eat at different paces!
Hi Sasa -hehe I know, cute legend isn’t it!
aww thanks so much darling! 
Hi Gastronomy Gal-Hehe yes hovering is not very subtle is it!
Hi Lisa-It’s good isn’t it!
Hi Faith-I know, the churros looked good but that gnocchi-oh so divine!
Hi Darlene-Yes I think a lot of it depends on how fast the kitchen is too!
Hi Julia-Oh right, do you mean so it is easier to get a table?
Hi Celia-haha me too! I like eating out but I want to do other things too!
Hi John-We mostly enjoyed our time there as the food was good as was the service but the time limit really was too short
Hi Lulu-I think two sittings a night is fine for most too
Hi InTolerantChef-yes we were told upfront. But we would have kept ordering if we had stayed!
Hi Sian-The service was really good so that helped and we didn’t feel like we were getting kicked out. The croquettes were fantastic!
Hi Sweet-tooth-Hehe thankyou! I’m glad that you liked it!
Hi Julia-Yes thankfully they’ve got the newer one now
Hi Y-That was awesome, I’d definitely like to go back for that!
Hi Carolyn-haha I know!
I wish I had a table at the other one too! *isgh* a girl can dream can’t she 
Hi Roslyn-Oh no what a shame you didn’t enjoy it there
Thanks for the recommendation!
Hi Hannah-I know, isn’t it amazing sounding?
Hi Phunk-haha well spotted!
Ahhh yes I know what you mean, my mum is a slow eater. That’s got to be good for you doesn’t it though? 
Hi grace-Ahhh perhaps it is. I think this place is pretty small too so they want to turn tables over.
Hi The Scrappy Bug-haha! I never thought of it that way!
Hi tim-You’re welcome!
Hi Loll-Ahhh interesting! were there many?
Hi Cakelaw-I know, I understand that if they’re sitting there nursing water while there is a queue (and I think a lot of ppl are considerate) but if they’re ordering food that is a good thing.
Hi MissA-yes we were craving them afterwards!
I agree and the kitchen has to send things out quickly. I’d imagine it would put a lot of stress on the kitchen too!
Hi Katherine-hehe you should!
Hi Sara-yes it’s very social isn’t it and I thought that it was meant to be social eating (as in sharing etc)
Hi Ladybird-I know! And the food was good so I was glad to have finally made it!
Hi Liv-Oh really? That early?
That’s devoted!
Hi Esz-hehe it was pretty good!
Hi Gourmantic-Oh no what a shame
That’s no good at all!
Hi Steph-My friend is perhaps psychic!
Hi MaidInAustralia-I know, it’s a tricky one isn’t it! And we’d never stick around not eating if there was a queue (and I think most ppl know too)
Hi mashi-haha do they! So I guess Teena was psychic in bringing her panadol
Thankyou!
Hi angie-I was glad to finally get there!
Hi Madbunny-yes we would have loved the churros too!
Hi Jen-yes two seatings is totally understandable but three does seem a bit much!
Hi Alessandra-Thankyou!
And yes I hope I get to visit there one day too! 
Hi Moya-hehe I know what you mean!
Hi catty-hehe! I know, I think 2 seatings a night is very reasonable but three makes you feel like a caged chicken!
Hi Sarah-Oh god yes that was so amazing!
yes luckily it wasn’t too expensive there or we would have felt a bit put out.
Hi Anita-haha yes I’d love to try the one in Spain!
Hi penny-Yes sadly there was just the first session available and I think eating at 9.30pm is too late for some of us
Hi Ellen-Ahh interesting! Yes I can imagine how much pressure there would be on the kitchen! I wonder what the chefs think?
Hi pigpigscorner-yes they did let us know that we couldn’t order the churros but they were polite about it
there was a huge crowd of people waiting outside to take our table and the others around it.
Hi Will-I love hearing everyone’s opinions! This is great!
Hi Big Boys Oven-I guess this is why they can fit in 3 seatings!
Hi Rocky Mountain Woman-Hehe perhaps they are different!
Hi Barbara-Hehe thankyou so much Barbara!
You are too kind!
Hi grace-hehe I’d love to send some to you!
Hi betty-hehe cool!
Hi Matilda-I wonder what you’d think of the gnocchi! yes lingering with good company is indeed how I like to do things!
Hi mlle delicieuse-yes although I think a lot of it depends on the kitchen. If you can eat the food leisurely then it’s ok but it must put a lot of pressure on the kitchen.
Time limits in a restaurant as popular as El Bulli are understandable I think. And I’m happy to deal with it to get my fix of Patatas El Bulli and Croquetas de Jamon. Although I could easily stay there all night drinking their fabulous white wine sangria!
I love it there. The potatoes are what make me swoon. Don’t mind a short sitting – we always finish quickly anyway!
I’ve been to Spain many times and time limits are NOT a Spanish thing. I’ve never had a restaurant impose a time limit in the U.S. either; I simply wouldn’t go to any place that did so.
I suggest to those bothered by time limits that they not go to those restaurants and tell the management why they aren’t going. If enough people did so, the restaurants would soon get the message. Just another case of rules imposed for the benefit of the establishment and not for the customers.
I recently went to El Bulli too (having never realised that their Surry Hills venue was the original, and not at The Spot) and had a great experience also. We called to book late on a Friday night and the maitre’d managed to squeeze us in a few hours later at an outdoor table with a time limit. When we arrived he’d found us a much nicer table that we could stay at until the booked party arrived and even after overstaying our time limit at the bar we weren’t shoo-ed away for quite a while (and they were very polite about it)! So while time limits can be annoying, when they’re accomodating I think it’s OK. P.S you’re right, the gnocchi was fabulous!
The gnocchi (blue cheese fan here
) looks pretty amazing. Time limits on tables don’t annoy me too much if they’re made explicit at the start – the really annoying ones are where you’re given the bill the instant you finish eating, and then the wait-staff hover anxiously around your table. We normally just go on talking until they either say something or give up 
Post a Comment