I’ve often heard guys say that they like girls that eat (or perhaps they’re being polite because I happen to be eating with undisguised gustatory pleasure and it’s nicer than saying “Sheesh you can eat!”). I’m of the same thinking, I like girls and guys that like to eat. If someone wants to pick at one tiny plate and be done with it, I’m afraid that I’m not your ideal dining companion. Tonight, I am dining with Laura, an unabashed sampler, her colleague Teagan and Laura’s lovely friend Maddie who is a long time NQN reader of 2 and a half years (who is so sweet that she bought me a gorgeous present!). Poor Teagan was tasked with the impossible job of being “mum” i.e. putting the brakes on it if we happened to order “everything on the menu-twice!”. A thankless task at best…
The entranceway is part subway map part Mondrian painting and the district that it refers to is the most immediate Surry Hills district. The signage reminds me of an underground. The double sided paper menu shows the entrees and mains on one side and the desserts and tea and coffee on the other. The chef is Warren Turnbull of Assiette.
Bread and olives
Smoked eel pate, cucumber, green onion flatbread $16
The plates are smallish in size and I’m quite glad that I haven’t brought Mr NQN here as he is a voracious eater and four plates would about do him. The first to come out is the adorably presented smoked eel pate which is smooth and rich with smokey eel fillet and it is presented in a little tin. It is paired with a pickled sweet cucumber which is a nice way of cutting through the eel and a soft green onion flatbread similar to a less fluffy naan.
Seared scallops, King Crab Sweetcorn congee $20
The seared scallops are lovely and seared on the outside and soft on the inside and sit on a shallow bed of sweetcorn congee. The congee has little pieces of prawns and crab scattered throughout it and it is a runnier type of congee with a flavoured broth rather than those rib sticking thick congees.
Heirloom tomato, crispy Mojama, fennel sorbet $16
The heirloom tomato salad featured crisped up Mojama which at first looks like prosciutto but is in fact salted cured tuna. The fennel sorbet had us divided. Laura liked the aniseed flavour whereas Maddie and I felt that it was too aniseedy for our taste. I normally like fennel as it has such a light aniseed taste but this sorbet is sweet and tastes like it has aniseed added to it.
Marinated tuna, wasabi panna cotta, soy bean, ginger marmalade $18
More a nod to Japan, the tuna was wonderfully fresh and served in cubes with a wasabi panna cotta which had a slight kick to it as well as shelled fresh soy beans and a pickled ginger marmalade.
Crispy quail eggs, white anchovies, tarragon mayonnaise $14
This was the dish we were all looking forward to: the six crumbed and deep fried delicate quail’s eggs served with white anchovies and a smear of tarragon mayonnaise. I am a quail egg fanatic and used to eat them by the tin when I lived in Japan (although I find that the tinned ones from China aren’t anywhere near as nice as the Japanese ones). Some of the quail eggs have a slightly soft centre and they’re best with some mayonnaise plus some white anchovy to give it the requisite saltiness.
Prawn spring rolls, romesco sauce, coriander $20
Now the thing about seafood spring rolls is that they generally often don’t feature much seafood. Not so with these crunchy babies. They’re full of lovely, fresh and perfectly cooked prawns and just prawns and are paired with a romesco sauce which has capsicum and garlic among other things and neat little sprigs of coriander. Service throughout the night is quite pleasant from one waitress although she does miss the beat a few times with questions and one waitress looks to have some of that inner city kind of att-it-ude.
District Dining Fried chicken, coleslaw and lime mayonnaise $24
The fried chicken looks quite different from what I expected. There are five pieces of what look to be wing and drumstick portions but they are in fact boneless pieces. The salad is an Asian salad full of herbs and fresh flavours and the chicken itself is well seasoned with a crunchy coating and moist white flesh inside and a well paired lime mayonnaise. I don’t know if I would say that this is the best value dish though and don’t mention the dreaded N word (nugget) but they are rather nugget-ish in concept if I were to draw a low brow comparison although the execution is much better than that.
Cone Bay Barramundi, ricotta gnocchi, peas burnt butter $24
This ends up being one of my favourite courses in that it’s cooked simply but perfectly. The slender fillet of barramundi has a crispy skin and moist flesh underneath and the ricotta gnocchi is an excellent accompaniment with a slightly spongey texture. There are also peas and a pea puree and tendrils of pea sprouts decorating the top.
Efi’s Rice pudding and cinnamon ice cream $12
Served in a mason jar, the rice pudding is impossible to photograph (I resisted the urge to get up on a chair to capture the cinnamon on top) but it is milky and delicious with the rice being a good consistency just like Goldilocks’ porridge, not too soft and not too hard. The cinnamon ice cream sits on a bed of crunchy crumbs and is quite strong in cinnamon.
Strawberries, raspberries, meringue, vanilla cream $12
Now this was a gigantic dessert! Enough for three this Eton Mess style dessert it is layered with fresh and freeze dried berries and pieces of meringue and folds of vanilla cream and a terrifically fruity sorbet.
White chocolate brulee, chocolate madeleine $12
The white chocolate brulee has a thickish, crunchy toffee crust and is slightly runny underneath but is moreish. We ordered this because it came with chocolate madeleines and I think there is a rule that if your name appears on the menu then you should order said item (Maddie and Madeleines). Quiche Lorraine excepted 
Coconut panna cotta, mango, lime coriander $12
The coconut panna cotta was served in an Italian preserving jar and was topped with finely diced fresh mango, a squeeze of lime and coriander. The flavour of the panna cotta was good but it wasn’t set and quite runny underneath.
I don’t know if Teagan managed to keep our ordering under control given everything that we tried!
So tell me Dear Reader, if you see a dish with your name on the menu, do you order it?
District Dining
17 Randle Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9211 7798
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 12 – 3pm / 6 – 11pm
Friday 12 – 11pm
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60 Comments | Add your own
Oh, why must you keep tormenting me this way?
Every dish looks like a license to dive in with nothing but bare hands and, perhaps, a bib.
I’ve never had Smoked Eel Pate, so I find that dish particularly intriguing.
love the panacotta dessert with mango top ! Pierre
Wow, what a fun place to eat…love how they present the food, so different and so creative…enjoyed so much going through the pictures…thank you Lorraine
That all sounds delicious, especially the desserts! I love the presentation – great idea to use the jars!
Thanks for the review. I am looking forward to dining there. If my name was on the menu, I would definitely order it! I dont think Erin anything would appear though
Totally, I’m the same way! There’s something so comforting and pleasing when I look at someone enjoying his/her food…maybe that’s just being creepy. haha
What an interesting place. They seem to be inspired by all kinds of cuisine, and make it their own. LOL, it is highly unlikely that they will ever include my name in a menu item – I had enough trouble getting a key chain with my name on as a kid.
I think you meant to say girls that DO eat not DONT eat- at least I hope- lol.
Haha I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dish with my name on it, but then again it would who would call a dish ‘Angie’? =D Mmm that burramundi does look good!
HAha, have you ever seen something called ‘muppy’? You better order it if you do!
I love the look of the salad with the salted tuna, interesting.
I am note sure that I have ever come across a dish with my name on it – although I did come across a sparkling wine once called “lisa” which I, of course, bought!
I used to work at a cafe that had a ‘Heidi Raclette’ on the menu. I never got it – didn’t appeal. In fact, they put it on during one of my absences – I maintain they did it as they missed me. I would give quiche lorraine a ship too – not a HUGE fan of quiches in general. The word too “Quiche”. Anyway, this post got me craving scallops big time. I love the look (in the italian jar) of coconut panna cotta too, yum!
Heidi xo
I wish they named something Nicole haha! Id totally order it!
I would say any Diane out there must have a hard time at most steak restaurants though lol
Looks divine.. I just love the way they’ve served the food on wooden boards like that – very unique.
Everything looks delish – looks like the menu has changed a little too – which is a good thing
I love the presentation of those desserts, and the crispy quail eggs – actually it all looks great.
I’ve never seen my name on a menu, but perhaps I should always buy fashion items with my name on them…
I can’t think of any foods called Shannon – if I found one I think I would
I’m thinking of dining here again next week before a show at the Belvoir. Would love to try that congee and the quail eggs and the fried chicken and the … never mind.
Although 20 bucks for three spring rolls is pushing it, even with the seafood.
I so enjoyed my recent lunch at District Dining. Everything was great and reasonably priced. Will definitely be back.
That looks absolutely delicious! I agree with you about the eating -I may be small but I can eat more than my boyfriend who is twice my size =P
We went to District recently and loved it! I am not a huge sweet/dessert person but the Strawberries, raspberries, meringue, vanilla cream was one of the best desserts I have ever eaten.
I want to go back tonight!
I’ve always been a big eater and thank my parents for the small genes! The food looks delicious, and I would definitely try any dish with my name on it
went to D a few months back and i enjoyed it muchly. however, like you said, the serves are on the small side. for the most part the food was good. but because of the small serves, the group of us left a little hungry and quite drunk.
Loved Dinner recently at District Dining. The food fantastic, service was great. Overall a big 9
Crispy quail eggs, seared scallops, hello I’m going back to District Dining for round two!
wow the seared scallops and the quail eggs looks fantastic! not sure why we didnt order that next time…. i think i may have to revisit
great review!
I keep reading so many good things about District Dining – and the dishes you had have pushed me over the edge. Must go soon!
The food looks great but with that prices they should taste very good.My husband says he can’t afford it….lol.Thanks for the info,but i would love to taste seared scallops most of all.
Have never seen an ‘Eha’ dish anywhere in the world, but promptly fell in love with the island of Kauaii in the Hawaiian chain when I found ‘Eha Street’ in almost every township!
Thanks for teaching me the word ‘mojama’ – had never heard of that one before. That tomato salad appealed too!
I like the eel in a tin and the quails eggs on the board, those jars are popping up everywhere now as they’re just so cute. There is no point going out for dinner if you only intend on filling up with the smells of th food cooking. It’s an insult to your host! I worked in a place where if a plate came back pretty full, the chef has to eat off it to make sure there was nothing wrong with it-unless they could see that the customer was one of those twiggy girls who was just wasting it and all our efforts.
I don’t think anyone will name a dish Michelle or Penelope (in the case of my sister).
So, no chance of doing so. If there is, I won’t do it. It’ll be like eating myself (sounds wrong here).
Haven’t ever seen a menu item called ‘Jodie’ but would most definitely go with your theory of having to eat it if one did appear!
I definitely have to eat my namesakes…chocolate eclair! That’s the only one I can think of but if a restaurant thinks a dish worth of my name (hehe) then it’s my duty to try it.
I’m glad I haven’t been to that restaurant. I could never have chosen between all those fabulous looking desserts.
The crispy quail eggs with white anchovies sounds and looks wonderful!
Mmmm, I don’t think I’d be safe to play ‘mum’ at one of these occasions. Everything looks amazing. The quail eggs, awesome presentation, oh, & the wooden serving board…, very cool (haven’t seen that for awhile).
Love it all.
I so want to go to this restaurant. I really want to go to Assiette as well. The only food I can think of that resembles my name is crepe suzette and I only think I have had this one time before..
Love the look of almost all of these dishes. The quail eggs and heirloom salad look particularly delicious. Would love to try the fennel sorbet.
How yummy and love how the dishes are smallish tapa style. You really get to taste a bit of everything =)
Quail eggs and anchovy sounds like a heavenly combination!
Yum and Yum! Everything looks great and plated up beautifully. I love inviting big eaters when having a celebration or dinner, it’s so satisfying seeing all the food disappear with approving vocals.Makes all the hard work worthwhile.
So far, I have only come across a beer in my name eg. Matilda Bay but I daresay that somewhere in Australia there are food items with my moniker.
I have to say that ALL the dishes you photographed look sensational.
I’ve never seen anything called ‘Ann’ but would have to order it if I saw it on the menu.
Debra never appears on a menu, I don’t know why. I can’t stand going out to eat with people who eat half their food, declare themselves full , and refuse to eat the rest. Why not just stay home. I have just seen on BBC World a story saying that many French restaurants are buying in prepared base ingredients. One of these was a roll of cooked and sliced egg. Another was truffle flavouring – with no truffle.It went on, I was hirrified. Have you heard of this? The above restaurant would never do this I’m sure. Everything looked delicious.
I have been dying to try the fried chicken here – but the hunger is now fueled by those qual eggs! yum!
I have only come across my name on a menu twice in italian restaurants – A “Chicken ala Gianna” and a “Pizza Gianna” but didnt order them, they didnt look like the tastiest dishes on the menu haha! An unfortunate “situation”
Wow you really went to town with the ordering!!! I also think people who eat small morsels and don’t seem to enjoy their food can’t be my friends.
Amen to the glories of friends who love food and don’t mind our photographing tendencies! I love the look of the pannacotta and rice pudding desserts. Cinnamon ice cream is amazing
I haven’t come across one yet – but it would depend solely on if I liked the sound of the dish so no, I wouldn’t!
Wow!Those are huge scallops!! Was it a hot day? That cinnamon ice-cream looks like its melting heaps!!
This place looks divine, such fresh and bright flavours!! The barramundi has my name all over it
xxx
I want those scallops NOW! Unfortunately it is early morning my time and the only way I’ll get them is to make them myself……:(
Our 11 year old has decided it is her job to make sure that mamma & papi don’t order everything on the menu. This is particularly difficult at Dim Sum restaurants.
Lovely photos!
I am a vorvacious eater. I would be delighted to gorge my way through all those plates!
insane! now i want some of those deep fried eggs!
There is an evil article out on Atlantic monthly about how foodies are disgusting… well pardon me but I don’t fully trust someone who has no enjoyment of what they put in their mouth. It’s like they don’t taste the world but rush through it. Taste is everything… eating watching listening… all connected. Ok off my soapbox. Love the presentation of this place.. food it great looking and I want one of those little tins… too cute.
They seem to have really presentations for their food. Love the look of the baramundi and the crispy quail’s eggs.
I truly adore their presentation.
I adore their presentation
yummm quail eggs!! u lived in japan too?? for how long??
Never seen Parkin (cake-like slice-like with ginger, oatmeal and molasses) but would certainly order it if I did. Particularly if served with a good custard…
Now I’m really craving some deep fried quails eggs.. if only there was somewhere in London that served that dish!
A photo of seared scallops gets me every time.
And,..no. I don’t think I’d order from the menu any food with someone’s name on it, much less my own. One might end up with “Bob-Bob’s Diddly Bob”, or some such ilk.
I can’t say I’ve ever seen a dish with my name but if I did I’d probably have to try it. The barramundi here would be my pick, I love crispy topped fish
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