When you’re in the Potts Point or Kings Cross area, well, certain things do come out at night. The colourful crowd emerges, the bikies perched on their rides, ladies that work on the night streets for a living, groups of youths-the boys travelling purposefully with long strides in groups, the girls equally huddled in groups wearing the highest of heels. One thing I didn’t expect to see was bakers or at least extensions of bakeries who always tend to be early morning sorts of places. But the well known Bourke Street Bakery chain’s location in Potts Point defies baker’s hours and opens its kitchen and doors at night.
It’s been too many months since friends Gina, Teena and I have caught up but every Christmas we make sure to get together for a gift exchange and dinner without the boys. Gina suggested Bourke Street Bakery At Night and after perusing the menu online, I give them a call to find out about bookings. Calling a restaurant in Sydney can result in a few things:
1. Nothing: the phone isn’t picked up and you leave a message
2. Being asked to hold while someone furiously busy on the phone has exactly 20 seconds to um and ah, not have the time that you want available but they can squeeze you in for an hour but you have to give the table back and thanksverymuchwe’llseeyousoon!
The man that answers the phone is neither hurried or harried. He chats pleasantly and tells me all about where they are located, the best times to come as there are no bookings and what’s on the menu and how it differs from Wilbur’s Place, another BSB offshoot.
Chef Sam Bennett
A couple of weeks later, we all arrive and look around for where it might be. Part of the glass cube building, the entrance is down the stairs, opposite the street from The Apollo restaurant and entrance is on Crick Street. At 6.30pm there are a couple of tables dining and there’s a handsome selection of food in the front display cabinets as well as a copper and wrought iron raclette iron melting the half moon of raclette cheese. The staff are friendly and we are shown to a table.
House made lemonade $4
Gina starts with a house made lemonade cordial which has a good amount of lemony sourness and a light sweetness to it and is served uncarbonated like traditional lemonade.
We take our friendly waitress’s recommendations for the food and she suggests going up to take a peek at the front cabinet to see some of the portions of the food. They show us the raclette being melted and kindly give us a taste and we peer at the colourful range of crostini. After that, it’s an easy decision on the food.
Sausage Stuffed Eggplant $7
The first bites arrive quickly. The sausage stuffed eggplant is filled with tender mince and topped with smoked mozzarella, avocado and a spicy chilli sauce. The overall sensation is that it is creamy, soft and flavoursome. If I could have a tray of these I would.
Sticky Crab Bun $6
The sticky crab bun is a small puff that is filled with a crab mousse and served with a sticky honey sauce and topped with spring onions.
David Blackmore Wagyu Salt Beef Bagel, Sour Cabbage $6 each
Whilst these were bagel shaped, they were crispy and appeared to be more sourdough based baked round rolls that boiled bagels due to their texture. They were filled with thin slices of wagyu salt beef, sauerkraut and melting cheese and despite the fact that the bread texture was a bit crunchier than I expected, I thought that the toastiness suited it well.
Fishy Tartare, Toasted Fennel Seeds, Pickled Celery & Chili $14
We all love tartare and the fish today was kingfish which was diced alongside pickled celery, dill, aromatic toasted fennel seeds and chilli. Some celery leaves and a halved, crunchy baguette completed the dish. Although a little on the smaller side, the flavour and texture was very good indeed.
Frenchy Duck Salad $17
There’s a small break and then the mains arrive all at once. I loved the plates that the salad was served in and it was a generously portioned frisee salad with very crunchy pancetta and a duck confit leg with some pieces of duck torn and tossed throughout. Little dabs of duck liver pate gave the salad a richness and this was a bold, strong salad.
La Raclette on a plate with Baby Potatoes & Pickles $14 plus salami $6
This ended up being one of our favourites. The baby potatoes were cushioney soft like marshmallows inside the skins and paired with the pickles and the added salami and salty, melted cheese, we left not a skerrick on the plate.
Salt Baked Snapper, Ox Heart Tomato Salad $34
The snapper had a moist and soft texture but in lovely large, shiny white pieces. However, following the Frenchy duck salad and the la Raclette, it seemed too mild in comparison. We should have probably eaten this first. The ox heart tomatoes are beautifully sweet especially with the whole snapper and it’s a very big serve.
Custard Tart with Lemon Ice Cream $12
I’m a fan of all custard tarts from the Portuguese custard tart to even those classic nutmeg dusted custard tarts of yesteryear. This is one of the latter but there’s a very strong eggyness to this tart that is a bit overwhelming. It reminds me of duck egg custards where the yolk is so very strong. The lemon ice cream is refreshing and smooth textured.
Flourless Chocolate Sponge of Passionfruit Mousse, Praline and Meringue $12
The waitstaff are very friendly and one waiter stopped by to personally sell us on this flourless chocolate sponge which we’ve never seen before even going so far as to say that he would cry if we didn’t order it (obviously joking I’d hope 
). So of course we had to order it and it really is lovely although quite a petite sized serving and I think a little lonely looking on the plate. The flourless chocolate sponge and passionfruit mousse is soft as velvet and it has a crunchy praline base and a torched meringue outer.
So tell me Dear Reader, are you a morning person or a night person? And have you ever had raclette before? And what do you think of places where you can’t book? Do you go early in order to snag a table or avoid them?
Bourke Street Bakery After Hours
Open from 6pm-10pm Tuesday to Saturday (bakery is open during the day 7am-5pm)
Tel: +61 (02) 9569 3225
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50 Comments | Add your own
Incredible looking food, Lorraine! I’d love to try the toasts and the Frenchy Duck Salad!
My kind of place Lorraine, the food looks delish. I am a morning person and a night owl! I don’t like eating early though.
I have never heard of a raclette, ever! Can’t even spell it without looking at it twice. The meal looks delicious.We as a family suck at booking tables, and simply go and pray for a space, lol! So far, we never had a problem. Some places we did have to wait for 40 minutes or so, but nothing too bad.
All that food looks absolutely wonderful! Yum!
Wow, I didn’t know BSB had restaurants – this all looks so good, and I really want that custard tart.
The food looks amazing! Such a great range and the melted cheese… Wowwy!!!
… I am not really a morning or night person… If there is something worth getting out of bed at 5.00am for I will do it happily. If a great party goes all night I will be happy for that too, otherwise I will be happily tucked up in bed at the extremes of the morning and night.
Delicious looking food! I have tried raclette in Germany…I think it is an acquired taste.
Hi Lorraine,
If you like raclette you should really try it at The Eiger on Parramatta Road Petersham. It is best if there is a crowd to share it and you will need to order it 24 hours in advance so that Alain can set up the special grillers at your table.
Each diner melts their own raclette while pieces of the three sausages provided are grilling on another part of the machine, potatoes and pickles are also on hand.
It is a winter dish and I invite my friends there for my birthday every year in June.
Regards,
Sergio
I’ve only had Raclette once but I would jump at the chance to have it again. I didn’t realise they were open for dinner. Must add it to my Sydney list. My friend lives just a few blocks away from there so it will be a must visit!
There is nothing better than dropping into Bourke St Bakery and grabbing a few loaves on the round trip to Marrickville after Faros Bros for seafood. Haven’t yet been to the night restaurant at Potts Point, but heard a lot about it – the food looks just as heavenly as their bread and pastries.
Definitely a night owl. That’s when all the fun starts. Yes I have tried raclette. Friends in both France and Germany told me it was the “specialty of their region” Couldn’t work that one out. It was served differently though in a do it yourself gadget with individual little trays you would fill with pieces of potato and cheese and cook under a flame.
We try to eat in between hours at restaurants. You get the place all to yourselves. Service is usually better as well.
This looks amazing Nigella and I am heading there soon. Hey I have a feeling that the photo for the last desert does not match, ie this is surely a take on Bread and Butter pudding not a torched chocolate mousse?
All looks wonderful, thankyou.
Ooh that Frenchy Duck Salad is my pick for sure! It certainly looks like there’s some wonderful choices at this not-just-a-bakery.
I hate it when places don’t take reservations- my hairdresser, chiropractor, doctor, physio etc. all send auto reminders and if I don’t respond, my appointment is canceled and tough luck for me. I think larger or busy restaurants should try this method perhaps. It is very rude for customers not to show at the last minute, perhaps this would train them?
Lorraine your posts always make my belly ache with hunger and my mouth drool!
I cannot wait to go and try Bourke St Bakery At Night now.
Whilst I like staying up late at night, I hate sleeping in. I feel like I’m wasting my days.
Oh and I don’t like not being able to book a table, but for a good restaurant I’ll head there early in hopes of nabbing a table.
Woah I had no idea this place existed. The food looks amazing, especially that fish and the desserts!
On one of my very rare nights out these days, I went to BSB After Dark and had a fabulous time an delicious desserts
You didn’t run into Archie, did you? He’s always in Potts Point. Now gigging in a few places. What a great little place and I do love the look of the Frenchy duck salad! xx
Immediately goes on the list of places to go on my next visit to Sydney. The atmosphere in there is gorgeous!
Oh my!
As someone who lives dangerously close to the original Bourke Street Bakery in Surry Hills, I’m both jealous and relieved they’ve decided to do their night one a longer walk away.
This looks absolutely delicious. It’s going on the list! (And I’ll force myself to walk there and back… that should surely help?)
Hurrah for the blog post
Great review, looking forward to heading there soon. Love that cheese iron, never seen anything like that before! And those crostinis are so cute 
I like the mushroom and egg ‘garden’ one
Absolutely love the look and sound of the place [and shall ask all my E Suburbs friends whether they know about it!] and like the food!! Exciting enough for an informal night out, but ‘sensible’ and nicely plated. Actually quite fancied the snapper
! Yes, have loved raclette forever, it seems . . . Used to be a real night owl, but as the years pass seem to come awake earlier in the morning: good, always have too much to do! And, no, I love bookings and tend to avoid places which are busy and I may have to wait!!
The raclette looks amazing. I have a cheese mad friend who is going to lose her mind when I share this with her. I am a great fan of custard tarts as well. I used to make the old fashioned kind quite a lot but I couldn’t get anybody I knew to even try them because of their past bad experiences with ‘eggy’ tarts, so I gave up years ago. Wish I lived close enough to go there
Definitely NOT a morning person is me,
More of an mid morning to mid afternoon is my “fire with desire” time recipe!
Your photos and food adventures always make me yearn for more! TRUE!
Have tasted raclette (yum!)and enjoy places where you don’t have to make reservations (LOVE the element of surprise) too!
HAHAHAHA: “ladies that work on the night streets for a living”. Nice euphemism there.
Pickles and cheeeeese!
I am not a morning person, although over the years I learned to get up early enough so my kids are on time at school.
We usually just make the gamble if you can’t book and have a back up plan.
That does not look like your ordinary bakery and I love it!
The food looks absolutely delightful here! Will have to try this place soon (: Wilbur’s Place has been on my list of go-to’s for a while now but I haven’t made the trip yet
I always tend to go to restaurants early to snag tables
OMG, food heaven, my trip to Sydney in Feb will include at least one Bourke St Bakery, I have the cookbook and LOVE it.
If I have to travel to Potts Point for that raclette, then I shall!
The last place I had raclette was at Borough market in London last year!!
Dreamy!
Thanks
Amy
I’m glad you like Raclette Lorraine. I spent the first 20 years of my life in Switzerland and grew up with Fondue and Raclette. Bourke Street Bakery is now a must. Thanks for this
Everything looks scrumptious, what a cozy bakery!
Potts point is so artsy and unique, I’m not surprised this bakery is there! Can’t wait to visit
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Wow Lorraine, everything looks so interesting, so different and delicious…
Have a great week
Lorraine. Excellent post, BSB is one of my favourite plces.
Please note I have a new email address which is above.
My best for 2013.
Cheers
Dee
Hi Marissa-Hehe the bread is very good as was that salad!
Hi Eva-Hehe wow you’re both?!
Hehe we always eat early 
Hi Minnie-Oh well perhaps one day?
Hehe well that’s great that you’ve never had a problem. 40 minutes isn’t too bad! 
Hi Clare-It was indeed Clare!
Hi Gaye-They’ve also got Wilbur’s Place as well which I haven’t been to yet!
Hi Julie-Hehe maybe for when you next visit Sydney?
Oh that’s good! 
Hi Debra-Hehe some people don’t seem to like it but we loved it!
Hi Sergio-Oh we’ve driven past there and wondered what it was like. Thanks for the recommendation!
I think it would be fabulous in Winter! 
Hi Claire-Yes it’s great and you can still buy bread if you want to. Ahh sounds like a good possibility!
Hi Heather-OH yes love Faros Bros too! Oh yes I’ve had it that way too! It’s kind of cute that way. Yes it’s usually less stressful if you go earlier and for us, the light is better too!
Hi Amanda-Oh no, the last photo is indeed correct
The meringue has been swirled around it and toched 
Hi Rebecca-Yes it was actually quite hard to choose!
Yes that’s a good system! Although I have heard that some people book at multiple places and decide on the night. Not very fair on the restaurant 
Hi Steph-Thanks Steph!
Hehe I am exactly the same! When I wake up early I marvel at how much I get done! 
Hi Christine-Yes it’s relatively new to being open late at night
Hi Reemski-Hehe what did you get?
Hi Charlie-Haha no Archie that night! I’m sure I would have spotted him if he were in the area!
xxx
Hi Sarah-Oh cool! I hope that you like it!
Hi Amanda-Hehe well that sounds like a very clever idea madam!
Hi Vivian-Hehe I really wanted to get that garden one too although we had so much food already!
Hi Eha-Yes it’s not too high maintenance which is nice for a good local place!
Yes I love being able to book too!
Hi Theresa-Hehe I hope that she likes it!
Mmm I do love a good custard tart too!!
Hi Joanne-hehe I wish I was but I’m just not!
Ahh life on the edge I see! 
Hi Hannah-You know what I mean I’m sure!
Haha good huh?
Hi Marina-I think that would be quite tough! I found it difficult enough to get up for school when I had to go
Hi Bek-Good idea!
Yes it’s a bit different isn’t it? 
Hi Sherrie-Oh yes we haven’t been there yet!
Yes me too! Plus there’s better light 
Hi Amy-Oh fantastic! I don’t actually have the cookbook but I’ve heard that it’s good. Oooh great place Borough-we loved it there!
Hi Ulrich-How fantastic! I bet you’ve tasted some great fondue and raclette!
You’re welcome!
Hi Laura-Isn’t it just!
Hi Uru-It’s a fun suburb, except there’s nowhere to park!
Hi Juliana-Thanks very much!
Hi Dee-Thanks for your comment and glad to know that you like it
Have a great 2013!
Is it possible to live on raclette? If yes, I could cheerfully live there.
Hi Lorraine, love raclette I first had it with my sister and brother in law who were introduced to it when they visited Switzerland years ago and promptly bought the grill when they came home. It’s such a fun meal to have as everyone gets involved. It’s great for dinner with friends as takes all the stress out as you can prepare all the food beforehand. I hate queuing so I usually go early to get a table. When we eat at The Book Kitchen in Surry Hills we always find room to eat something from Bourke St afterwards as it’s across the road and we can’t resist!
Oh hello melting cheese! That is just incredibly visually stimulating, very very cool.
YES! I have had raclette recently in Val d’Isère which is a skiing resort in the east of France near the border with Italy. It was yummy! Do you know about raclette grills? They’re kind of like a toastie maker… you have a little metal pan and you put cheese in it and put it under the grill then scrape it (French verb “racler”) out with your little wooden spoon.
I didn’t realise BSB did such a thing!! I am amazed!!
Oh Lorraine, RACLETTE!!!! Lucky lucky you – I love the R. heater, could have done this in my “previous life” for entertaining, lol
WordPress is playing up again.
Lorraine, hope this comment at last get’s through to you.
Lorraine, this looks like a really good fun place. And RACLETTE – oh how delicious. How can anybody not like???
I’ve yet to get there during the day (can’t believe i just admitted that). The food looks divine, particularly the Frenchy duck salad. And i’ve never seen cheese melted like that in my life! Wonderful.
Hi Lorraine! I love reading your blog and love the frequency of which you update it. I’ve had Raclette at Borough Markets in London and it was so so good!! Am keen to check it out at BSB now
BSB opens at night?? good to know!
What a lovely place, can’t wait to check it out especially for that Frenchy duck salad, sausage stuff eggplant, and raclette. Everything looks delish. I’m not a morning person as I usually have trouble sleeping at night.
My 23 year old son and I are having a date night here next week thankyou Lorraine.The last desert looks more like a bread and butter custard, not to be picky and I had the experience of that gorgeous cheese wheel in the Sofitel in Phnom Phen, and looking forward to this again.
My 23 year old son and I are having a date night here next week. Can’t help but comment that the last desert looks more like a bread and butter pudding and I was lucky enough to enjoy a cheese wheel like this in the Sofitel in Phnom Phen, so will look forward to this one.
Thankyou for the review. Looks great.
I haven’t had cheese from a raclette before but have seen photos from when friends went overseas. Ever since then I have felt its my destiny
must check it out!
Waah, I wasnt able to try this After Hours thing of Bourke Street Bakery! Must try this as soon as I go back!
Great post! 
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