Mr NQN has never been one for birthdays. He has had his share of dubious birthdays borne from an eccentric upbringing where rocks from the front garden were given as gifts. So every year I try and get him excited about birthdays and Christmas and it has started to have an effect on him. He actually seems to enjoy celebrating them although I suspect the best part for him is the presents-he seems to be making up for a childhood of rocks with his current day presents.
The part I enjoy the most though is the dinners (well of course given my vocation!). And tonight we are dining at Bloodwood in Newtown. We have meant to get here for the longest time (and we went a few months ago for my friend’s birthday but were late and missed out on the best food) but that user unfriendly no booking policy has put paid to a more imminent second visit. It seems night after night people gather at the front bar hoping for a table in the restaurant. The only way to confound this is to book for a table of eight or more and we have nine of us tonight.
Menus appear to change monthly as the recycled brown paper menu indicates that we are dining from the August menu. We look up and see that there are doors suspended from the ceiling, bright yellow painted pipes and light bulbs dangling from black cords. As we are late (arrgh stupid sporting games in our suburb), everyone has familiarised themselves with the menu which is designed for sharing. As befits a modern Australian menu, there are touches of Asia, the Mediterranean and Europe. The Head Chef is from Claude’s in Woollahra. There are three vegetarians in the group and five vegetarian selections to choose from and there is also a nine omnivore course set menu for $40 per person. Service from our waiter is very friendly and accommodating.
Socca $25
The first vegetarian dish comes out. It is chickpea pancake topped with zucchini, pumpkin, Persian fetta and lashings of dill and resembles a small pumpkin pizza. The chickpea pancake however has a crispy texture and a thick, slightly dry texture to it and the flavours are fantastic. Correction, it’s like a pumpkin pizza but better.
Fried bean curd roll $15
My mum was eager to try this and the crab, pork and shiitake mushroom filling rolled in bean curd skin is a step into Asian territory. It is crab meat, vegetables and shiitake mushrooms rolled in pork mince and then wrapped in yuba (bean curd skin) and then fried. It’s divided into five pieces and it is quite good. My mum particularly likes this.
Salt Cod Brandade $17
This is more my kind of people. The soft salt cod brandade (which is like a fish paste but much better than that sounds) sits on fried bread halves and is teamed with watercress, fennel, quinoa and pil pil sauce. What is pil pil sauce? It’s a sauce from the Basque country in Spain and is a common accompaniment to salt cod. It is made of a lot of garlic, some oil, hot chilli and salt cod. I wish I could have eaten this all by myself.
Baked mushrooms $17
The medley of mushrooms (field, king brown, king oyster mushrooms) are braised in just the right amount of red wine and a confit of eschallots and is smooth and slippery on the palate. It comes with three fat wedges of toasted bread.
Charcuterie plate $28
We’re crossing continents again with the charcuterie plate consisting of breseola, salami, duck liver parfait, cornichons and pickled cauliflower with some toasted bread. Whilst it’s not bad I find myself yearning for the other dishes that are more original.
Artichoke tart $21
The confit of Jerusalem artichoke tart with eggplant, diagonally sliced swiss chard, baby carrot and onion soubise was a definite winner, with a creamy garlicky sauce and crisp, buttery puff pastry on the bottom.
Grilled Cuttlefish salad $19
Mr NQN loves the grilled cuttlefish salad with eggplant, potato crisps and a spicy romesco sauce as he likes the spicy kick from the romesco sauce. I didn’t get quite enough of this dish to fall in love with it and I thought the potato chips were a little odd.
Garlic prawns $25
The garlic prawn dish has king prawns with their heads and tails on but the body shell removed. They are nice and garlicky with flashes of Spain and are paired with heirloom cherry tomatoes, lemon and paprika.
Baked King Fish $32
All of us really enjoyed the Japanese flavours of the paper shrouded king fish fillet which was thick and juicy and moist and flavoured with a sesame Japanese salad with miso, radish and seaweed on top.
Polenta chips with gorgonzola sauce $9
The Assman was a little hungry still (the meals aren’t huge it must be said) so he orders a serve of piping hot polenta chips. These are well seasoned and come with a creamy gorgonzola dipping sauce.
Grilled milk fed lamb $30
The last dish was the grilled milk fed lamb pieces with an unusual but actually quite brilliant black been purée, fennel and green beans. The lamb is delectably good and the only thing missing is some bread to mop up the sauce.
There’s no need for dessert as we adjourn back to our place for some very manly birthday cake 
Inexplicably we’re in and out within one and a half hours without feeling too rushed. We walk past the crush of eager patrons spending their time at the bar and they look at us hopefully hoping perhaps that we’ve vacated a table and they are closer to their meal.
So tell me Dear Reader, what is your favourite part of your birthday? The meal or the presents?
Bloodwood Newtown
416 King St, Newtown NSW
Mon, Wed-Thu 5pm-late
Fri-Sat noon-late
Sun noon-10pm
http://www.bloodwoodnewtown.com
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47 Comments | Add your own
The Socca looks amazing.
I am inspired to try and make some now.
The food looks lovely but $25 for a chickpea pancake – what the? o.O
My birthday is actually tomorrow! (Eeep!) But my favourite part would probably just be spending time with my family.
I’m simple, I haven’t asked for any presents or any parties – To be honest I’d rather not have a birthday!
That Socca looks and sounds delish! I love zucchini and feta together, yum.
oooh I love the look of that chickpea pancake!
Great review, Lorraine, thanks! I’m a bit hardline about the no-booking rule, which means there’s quite a lot of nice restos in Sydney I’ve never tried…
The meal, the meal!!! Nothing better than having total freedom to scoff yourself silly for a whole day. I hope Mr NQN had a wonderful day, and well done on the cake – it looks amazing.
All looks delicious
My fave part is definitely the meal. The only time of the year when I have a legitimate excuse to make the bf take me somewhere fancy
Love the look of the succulent lamb and the polenta chips!
Looks like they offer a few things for vegetarians which is nice. Will try Bloodwood.
Lorraine, my favourite part of Birthdays is when my girls Mia (9) Ella (8) see the decorated Birthday Chair that i decorate on their Birthday Eve with streamers balloons and lots of bling and whatever funky stuff I can find – the expression on their faces say it all !
Mmmmm, it’s only 9am and I want to go there NOW!! Thanks for the lovely review. Love Jerusalem artichokes!
ooohh. I went here for my birthday just a few weeks ago too. I thought the $40 sharing menu was wonderful value but the drinks were expensive!
My favourite dishes were the mushrooms, the lamb and those amazing polenta chips. I actually really enjoyed the Charcuterie plate – the parfait was divine.
Dinner is by far the best part of a birthday. Alays try to do something nice and a great excuse to get the gang together!!
Nice review Lorraine, definitely a place Jean and I need to check out, he would love the cod brandade with that Basque country sauce!
PS: tough choice, I equally love birthday food AND gifts… I guess one of the things I love most about birthdays is how you’re receiving a bucketload of love from all your friends and family from all over the place. Feels good
What a lovely way to celebrate, and a Happy Belated Birthday to Mr. NQN! (I try to get Mike excited about birthdays too, but he’s having a bit of trouble getting on board…I wonder, is this a universal man thing, lol?) The meal looks delicious, especially the socca!
oh i love polenta chips!
The meal for sure, and all the associated planning and decision-making
Hi Lorraine!
I must say, I went there a few weeks ago and found the food good, but way overpriced considering the size of the dishes and not worth all the hype… But I might be the only one here, looks like everyone else loves it!
Happy birthday to Mr NQN!
I dislike parties but enjoy a lovely dinner! But the presents are good too!
I loved the brandade when we were there and it appears they’ve added more meat to the charcuterie plate compared to when I had it
I love the pressies, but I love the food….. I don’t think I could pick!
A birthday traddition at our home is that whoever has the bday gets to pick the restraunt. Even when the bday person is tiny! I am proud to say that Maccas has never been requested, but our youngest does have a thing for fine dining and a minimum of 4stars is required!
Great post, I can’t wait to try bloodwood. My favourite part is the meal, last year a degustation at Becasse was my present
The meal… dah
Birthdays are very exciting experiences for me, I always feel about 8 years old and ANYTHING could happen, and this year probably I’ll get the most amazing thing (I always feel like that..); but now I’m all grown up…, I know that no matter what….., I’ll end my birthday at some amazing restaurant somewhere.., eating delish food & drinking great wine.
Its my thing…!!
I love birthdays, birthday food and birthday presents. But I’m greedy like that! I particularly like the vegetarian and seafood dishes here, but I hate no-booking rules. Part of me realises why they do it, but still – it sucks!
Your poor hubbies lack of real childhood birthdays is sad! I think I like the get together, food and cake part the best about birthdays.
Wow, this is another of those meals where I keep thinking I’ve found my favourite dish, and then the next photo one-ups it! Socca, artichokes, gorgonzola sauce, bean curd…
I think my favourite part of birthdays is feeling loved – whether that comes through at the dinner or the present giving or just in little kindnesses on the day
Mmm delicious! Love the manly birthday cake as well haha!
My favourite part is probably the presents and general fun! My family isn’t really into food, but I always make my birthday cake and have a nice dinner with my partner!
Now, those dishes look way better than a bunch of rocks. Glad you are spoiling Mr. NQN and making up for all the geologic presents he once had to put up with.
Oh it has to be the food, always the food! Those polenta chips look fantastic and so easy to bake in oven too!
I really like the decor of this place. It seems very funky and young. I used to frequent newtown more than I do now, so I might just have to go back!
Matt
Sorry you missed out on the food at Em’s party Lorraine. I too missed out as I spent the whole night standing up talking to people and each time the food came out, it was quickly eaten by the hungry masses. One cool point about this place is that they serve long necks of beer and as a country boy, that made my night. I’m a bogan at heart!
I love the whole ” it’s my birthday , so spoil me” part,lol.
Seriously, as long as I’m with my family and close friends, a good meal and an exceptional birthday cake, then I’m more than happy.
Happy Birthday Mr.NQN
I read about Bloodwood when I was researching places to eat in Sydney a few months ago, and was especially interested in the fried bean curd roll. It reminds me of ngoh hiang- very similar concept down to the bean curd skin deep fried. But I’m with you now- the brandade looks really interesting!
polenta fries with cheesy sauce–yes, yes, yes!
and for me, presents on my birthday come in a distant second to the all delicious food i make it a point to consume.
Happy birthday Mr. NQN! Did he end up liking the cake, despite it being (pretty amazing if I must say so) handbag? ;o)
All looks delicious, but I’ll take the socca and king fish, please! I must be getting old, because my favorite part of my birthday is the meal.
I had my first ever polenta chips last week and they were delicious but my god, they could have done with some gorgonzola dipping sauce!! What a great idea to accompany them.
The meal, I have to say, because this brings the people
Ooh, I love the variety of dishes on offer. I don’t like no booking rules. Unfortunately we’ve tried several places in the past where you had to wait hours for a table and none of them were particularly worth it.
I would probably look forward to the birthday meal the most (see my blog for my 30th birthday foodie extravaganza) but then again, this year I got a divine Kitchenaid Mixer so its a hard call!
What a random place with doors on the ceiling! hehehe.. the garlic prawns look awesome, love the heads on.. and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR NQN
See, I don’t know if a changing menu would make me happy. When I like something, I get obsessed.
Loved the picture of the Socca. the effect was breathtaking
MMM cake! But the rest of the dinner looks great and I love the name of the place. You guys have the coolest fish down there! I’m torn between the brandade and that bean curd roll… great reporting, as usual lorraine!
Oh I made F love birthdays! He didn’t get rocks or anything but he didn’t use to like them much…The salt cod looks amazing, I wish I’d eaten more in Spain a few years back but I only discovered it on my last day
So many of these dishes have piqued my interest. Looks like a great night out.
Hi jess-That was SO good!
I wish I could have had more!
Hi BuBbles-Hehe it’s a little small for the price but I guess Persian feta is expensive
Hi Kristy-happy birthday for tomorrow!
yes that’s a great part I agree! I love feta with anything pretty much 
Hi Lisa-it is so delish!
Hi Celia-Thankyou! hehe I know what you mean. I usually give them a miss!
Hi Loll-Haha I like your way of thinking!
thankyou so much, he had a good day! 
Hi Esz-Aww no Esz really? You should be spoiled more often!
Hi joey-That lamb was heavenly!
Hi Nic-Yes there are five options which isn’t bad at all!
Hi Marelle-aww what a great idea! I can imagine how delightful that would be!
Hi Carolyn-Hehe you’re more than welcome!
Me too-aren’t they delicious! 
Hi Vita-Ahh we didn’t get a chance to test out their drinks! I’m so sad that we missed the desserts though, the trifle looked great! heheh very true!
Hi Myriam-absolutely! Haha I thought you both!
Aww so true, I hope you had a gorgeous one recently! 
Hi Faith-Thankyou!
Maybe it is a man thing! 
Hi Betty-me too!
Hi Tina-it’s fun isn’t it!
Hi Sandra-Hi! I do agree that the meals are quite small and it is a tad expensive for the size but I really loved the food. Thankyou!
Hi Shan-Yes dinners are the best!
Hi john-That brandade was amazing, I’d love some more right now!
Ahh that’s good to know!
Hi InTolerantChef-hehe how about both then?
Haha good to know that even the babies know how to choose! What a little star! 
Hi Julie-Oh lucky you! What a great gift!
Hi Anna-hehe sounds like you’ve got it sorted out!
Hi MaidInAustralia-hehe nothing wrong with that at all!
I know I understand it but I don’t like it much! 
Hi Chocoholic-I know, poor little thing! I’m with you!
Hi Hannah-I know, so many winners! Gotta love that! Aww nice! Yes you should definitely feel that on your birthday
Hi Chanel-haha it’s nice and manly isn’t it!
That sounds nice and at least you know you’ll get a nice cake if you make it!
Hi Carolyn-hehe yes! Poor Mr NQN
I should give him some rocks as a joke!
Hi Moya-haha of course! Yes I know, must make them at home!
Hi Matthew-yes the decor is great, I love the doors on the ceiling!
Hi Stevie -Oh no, that was our fault entirely, we were late!
haha good to know but you’re not a bogan! 
Hi Matilda-That’s the best bit of birthdays!
A good cake is important! Thankyou! 
Hi Honey-yes it is very similar! I think that’s why my mum liked it
Mmm that brandade! 
Hi grace-hehe a girl after my own heart!
Hi Nuts about food-Aren’t you sweet! I think he did, once it was sliced up
Hi lisa-hehe there’s nothing wrong with that at all!
Hi Conor-yes they can be a bit bland without a strong flavour can’t they! Yep I hear you!
Hi Leah-Yes I hate waiting for hours for a meal too! Especially since I don’t drink a lot
Oooh how fantastic-what a great gift! 
Hi catty-hehe it is rather strange isn’t it
Thankyou! 
Hi Blond Duck-Oh really? I would love to be able to try something twice but I rarely do
Hi Kalyan-Thankyou very much!
Hi deana-hehe thankyou Deana!
You are so sweet!
Hi Sasa-haha good on you!
Maybe it is a man thing! Can you get it near you?
Hi Phunk-It was a really fun night out!
The place looks fun, but those doors over my head might confuse me.
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[...] That’s when I recalled having these lovely polenta chips with a gorgonzola dipping sauce at Bloodwood and decided to make my own low fat version. Of course the gorgonzola dipping sauce is not low fat , [...]
[...] NQN: Bloodwood, Newtown, review @Not Quite Nigella [...]
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