I thought that I might have a bit of an uphill battle pitching a place called “The Animal” for a girl’s weekend lunch. But of course I should underestimate my friends who won’t even ask why a place is called “The Animal” or politely suggest that we go to afternoon tea instead. The Animal restaurant in question is part of the 130 year old Newtown Hotel on King Street in Newtown. The menu has Greek influences from executive chef George Diamond’s Greek heritage. The hotel itself is newly renovated and we make our way upstairs to the Animal which is on the first floor and open for lunch and dinner seven night a week. I’m lunching with Brydie, Celia and Tania.
I’m not sure how to describe the decor, it’s eclectic at the very least with a converted “purple onion” caravan for the private room. Some of the murals suggest Americana while there are booths, a large table has a comfortable looking couch at one end and chairs surrounding it. Other tables have black and white pictures of Marilyn Monroe printed on them.
Cushions have pictures of tigers on them and “Welcome to The Jungle” is spray painted on one wall. The open kitchen has beasts on a spit roast. Upstairs, there’s also a theatre that seats eighteen people where you can order food. Although I’m not drinking as I’m driving, I take a quick peek at the drinks menu which has a sense of humour. There’s a cocktail called “Keith Richards’ Coconut Incident” and “Better Than Jesus.”
We ask for the recommendations from the waitress. Despite the fact that it’s really quite busy this Sunday afternoon the food arrives quickly.
Real Taramosalata & Bread $12
I adore taramosalata, the cod roe dip that is creamy and rich with a touch of roe flavour. This is served with warm, grilled flat bread and is an unbeatable combination. Not quite as strong in tarama as I’ve had, it’s thick and creamy and meant for spreading or scooping on the soft triangles of bread.
Salt Cod Croquettes $16
The salt cod croquettes came as three to a serve and although our waitress was very enthusiastic and friendly, we wished that she had pointed this out so that we could order four of them (quantities weren’t mentioned on the menu). The croquettes were potato based mixed with salt cod, coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried until golden. They were served with a cauliflower garlic puree as well as burnt butter (although I didn’t really see this) and a salad with greens and red onion.
Watermelon, feta and mint, pita croutons $14
I really liked this salad which was prettily presented with cubes of watermelon stacked on top of each other, crumbled feta and mint and sharp and crunchy pita croutons. The topping of oregano also gave the super sweet watermelon a floral aspect to it and for a hot, humid day, this refreshed quite nicely.
Braised 9 hour lamb shoulder moussaka $22
The moussaka is very generous with slow cooked shredded lamb. It’s rich and unctuous and layered with bechamel on top and eggplant slices on the bottom. It’s the kind of dish that I think really suits winter.
Wagyu bolar blade $19
I was hoping for Greek lamb, I mean when you have Greek food, spit roasted lamb and lemon potatoes come to mind first. Instead, the spit item was Wagyu bolar blade. And try as I might, apart from the first bite, I just hit gristle at every turn and I try about four pieces before giving up. When the waitress asks us what we thought of it and we told her that we enjoyed everything but this dish and showed her the bits that were inedible she seemed a bit lost for words and just offered to take the dish away. If any of us were up for it, we would have asked for the dish to be taken off the bill as there was just so much that we couldn’t eat but I don’t think any of us were in the mood to discuss it.
Lemon Roasted Potatoes $10
Said to be cooked “backyard style” these potatoes with a drizzling of red onion, lemon and capers were moreish and were the meat more easily eaten, they would have been perfect partners.
Almond Shortbread $3 each
I’ll have to admit, I grew up with a neighbour whose mum made the best almond shortbread biscuits. So I measure all against hers. I’ve come across a couple that are just as good and whilst the rest of the girls liked these, I still think that Felicity’s mum makes the best ones 
Baklava rolls $13
The baklava rolls are strong in cinnamon, a little too strong as you don’t really get the nuts and honey, and the pastry isn’t as crisp as you’d like. It’s served with a thick fig cream, a dried fig and a layer of salted caramel, the latter which was nice but I don’t know if you needed it given how sweet baklava is.
Honey Donuts $13
We were recommended these by our waitress and they come out in a generous serve. They’re a bit tough to eat, quite different from regular donuts. We’re told the honey and herbs are from the rooftop garden area. It comes with strawberries, yoghurt ice-cream and rose petals and the yogurt ice cream is my favourite component with just the right amount of sweetness and tartness.
The bill is reasonable, about $40 per person including tip. We’ve been too busy talking to notice that the time is up and once we do, we make a mad dash in our respective directions in the mad summer rain.
So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever asked for a dish to be taken off the bill? And do you ever speak up when something isn’t to your satisfaction or do you prefer not to say anything?
The Animal
174 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
Tel: +61 (02) 9557 6399
Open 7 days from Noon until late
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
38 Comments | Add your own
Gorgeous food! What a fun looking place.
It was an interesting place, wasn’t it? I agree with you, the tarama and codfish were delicious, but the meat really was quite dodgy! It was lovely to catch up with everyone though!
The food looks amazing. Sorry to hear about the lamb though. I love the mural with the masked Beatles!
I’m so sorry I missed out on joining you! I think with the Greek influences and all meat cooking on a spit, this restaurant really does need more lamb – not bolar blade! I didn’t see any bolar blade in ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ – just lamb, lamb, lamb. I had some donuts the other night that were too tough to eat too. I don’t ask for a freebie, I just mention how I didn’t like it and hope they respond appropriately xx
It sounds like you had a wonderful time together Lorraine! It’s so nice to relax and have fun with friends
What a shame about the beef, they freaky should have offered to take it off the bill. If something is obviously wrong with an item, I’m OK with sending it back as the kitchen will usually fix it/replace it no problem. If the problem is less obvious, or more a matter of opinion, I won’t send it back but well mention it at the end of the meal. I’ve worked in too many kitchens to risk taking chances annoying vindictive kitchen or wait staff
I’m more honest these days if I haven’t enjoyed a dish in a restaurant, but I always wait until the end of the meal to say anything and I try not to be too negative in my criticism.
Looks like I need to get back for that moussaka – yum! Such a shame about that beef… Nothing I hate more than mouthful after mouthful of sinew…
I absolutely speak up when I am served something isn’t right. Mainly because a restaurant can’t correct something that they are unaware of – they need feedback both positive & negative. But also if it’s not a burger joint or other similar cheap eat, you are paying for better quality and should receive it. I have to say that I always been expected to pay for these meals and sometimes the dish has been replaced but I only remember on occasion when it was taken off the bill. My mother often complains to me about bad meals at restaurants and I tell her there is no point in complaining to me, tell the waiter they are the only ones who can do something about it.
It is such a tough call. I really hate to be a pain, especially to wait staff, because I’ve walked in their shoes, and I know it’s not their fault. But at the same time it’s important to give feedback. I’m the same as you, Lorraine, I think – depends on whether I’m up for it at the time.
I have often sent food back. Especially steak which isn’t cooked to order, rare. My kids cringe when we’re out dining and I order steak. However I’m paying for the meal and expect to get what I order.
Tough cookie am I…lol
This looks like my kind of place, loving Greek food and general quirkiness as I do. And like you, I absolutely adore taramasalata. Love it. I’m not sure I’ve ever asked for anything to be taken off, but I have complained before and had the waiter offer to take it off, which is fair to me, if there is a problem.
This Animal serves some great food it seems. I think I would love to go here!
We are often in Newtown so will check this place out. In respect of the tough inedible lamb, I would definitely have been game enough to ask that it be deleted from the bill. Where possible I always review restaurants on line afterwards and never hesitate to praise or shame where needed. You can’t expect to be paying good money for food that is only suitable for the dog to chew on. The waitress should have been more considerate,but sadly many Sydney restaurants seem to employ casual staff – usually backpackers who are there to earn some spending money and then move on!
Looks like a good place!
We once went to a rather posh hotel restaurant for a special occasion. A few things weren’t right about the meal and the service. We wrote a polite letter to the manager afterwards, saying what went wrong, and that we had expected better.
He wrote back and invited us to come back, as his guests, and enjoy a another dinner. We did, and really enjoyed a completely free dinner, with wine!
Note, this doesn’t work every time
The quirkiness of the place quite appeals to me and there seem to be enough interesting dishes on the menu. Love taramasalata and used to make it often in my city days when roe was readily available. If there is truly something unacceptable in a dish [as with your gristle], oh yes, I ask to see the head waiter and have a quiet talk. If the dish is not replaced and does appear on the bill: yes, ask for it to be deducted. Usually that has already been done and an apology extended!
The thing is, Spay Lady, is that it’s too long since we were Ladies Who Lunch together. xoxo
I love the name of the restaurant. I’d go just because of the name!
The food looks exquisite, especially the lamb shoulder moussaka. OMGGggg.
Oh, and I adore almond shortbread.
Would I say something. Probably not…but if I did, I’d apologize like a fool while doing so. Xxxxx KISSss
PS. I am watching the series PARENTHOOOD. What are you watching? Have you seen Sons of Anarchy yet?
Hi Kim! I haven’t seen Parenthood-is it good? I haven’t seen Sons or Anarchy but I just watched The Following-scary and gruesome but I’m liking Kevin Bacon in it!
Am eclectic place indeed, TRUE!
Sorry, you had a wide variety of food experience too!
If something was not right with the dish, (or in this case burnt), I would say something to the waitress or owner right away,
Then politely wait to see what they have to say!
Sometimes they offer to bring out another dish, but my taste buds say no, is too late!
I chalk up the experience, and would ask it be removed from the bill, as it was not great!
I always speak up! In my opinion why should I spend my hard-earned money on something unsatisfactory? You wouldn’t buy a dress with a stain or hole so why should you have to pay for gristly meat?!
We always let the restaurant know if things are not right. Our last “Walk out” at our local was due to a very “off” scallop served up with our entrees. We immediately let the waitress know and paid for the wine but not the food! We still go there and enjoy the food but I think the open kitchen staff recognize us and make sure all is 110%.
Your comment of “The baklava rolls are strong in cinnamon which is not often a spice you associate with baklava”..
I must respectfully disagree with you. You see in the Middle East.. they use heaps of cinnamon. Especially in their baklava. Its a staple. My mother is Palestinian and cooked with cinnamon very prevalently! If you’ve had baklava without cinnamon then odds are you have not had authentic baklava.
Hi The Cheeky Skunk! You’re quite right, there is usually cinnamon in baklava but it was incredibly strong in this one that it overpowered the nuts and honey and other flavours in it. When Tania and I took a bite into it we both looked up and said “Wow, there’s a lot of cinnamon in this” but yes you’re right, it is usually in it.
It sucks when u go to a restaurant and u get inedible dishes. As u said, sometimes u just lose the mood and dont even wanna talk abt it anymore.
I will speak up, but very apologetically if a dish is very unsatisfactory. No one likes complaining but there is a time, especially if e.g. the fish is raw and inedible that the restaurant needs to know and you should not be charged. Great theme for an eatery, love the decor, very eclectic. Honey doughnuts should be soft and melt in your mouth but the tarasmalata looks delicious as do the salt cod fritters. A very interesting interior.
You had a wide range of food available with an experience to match – an interesting dine!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
ouch, sorry for your “inedible bits” experience. Yes, I do politely inform is something is not up to my satisfaction, how else they would know?! We are all just humans, including the line cooks. And mistakes happen with everyone. So I usually very politely tell them what is wrong and always have a great respond, and wonderful service. luckily, this episodes are rare.
So it’s a fish dip?
Glad you wrote this post, I’ve been gazing at The Animal from outside wondering what it’s like. For the most part it looks good, but shame about the lamb! I havent asked for anything to be taken off bills but if the restaurant knows anything about customer service, they should know to take items off where the customer has shown it was inedible!!
For the most part the food looked really tasty at Animal, I would probably still give it a go ( when in Sydney of course ) as for asking for a meal to be taken off the bill, I’ve never asked, but I have had things removed at the restaurants discretion which has always been a nice surprise. (btw:I couldn’t help but read a comment from one of your other readers NQN…you REALLY have to get onto Sons of Anarchy..it’s amazing!;-) )
I wouldn’t ask for it to be taken off the bill, but I would speak up and expect it to be or for a free drink or another dish or apologies at least. You’d hope they handled it appropriately- especially at those types of restaurants.
I really do love Greek food! That moussaka looks so good with all that melty cheese yummm…
If it’s a restaurant we go to regularly we usually don’t say anything if there is a problem with the dish, mostly because we don’t want them to feel bad. We once ordered a dish of chargrilled octopus that was just not edible, the texture was just dreadful and the whole dish was left untouched. We mentioned it to the waitress during the meal and she didn’t offer an apology and in fact didn’t say anything at all. With the amount that we ordered the bill was quite high and we were quite disappointed that there wasn’t at least an offer to remove it from the bill or offer a replacement dish. Interesting because we haven’t been back since, if they at least apologised we would have tried the restaurant again.
Sorry Lorraine for not visiting lately
I was traveling and had limited internet access and then dad had an accident where he fell and fractured his rib cage >_<
Thankfully, he's feeling much better now
Thank you for leaving such a nice comment on my blog!
I never would have associated 'The Animal' with Greek food
Everything looks scruptious especially the honey donuts and the croquette caught my eye too ~
I have asked for dishes to be taken off when I have ordered too much food and only when the kitchen hasn't made it
I don't usually tell staff or return any dishes unless it's really bad such as a 'piece of hair' or if it's really burnt 
But at the end of the day, I think customers have the right to voice out if they have any issues ~
I will usually let the staff know if there is something not right (or if the food is wonderful) and if its inedible I will send it back. This is a source of much humour in our marriage though as my husband will never “complain” to staff or want to trouble them in anyway so he always goes for a little walk if I insist that I have to give negative feedback!
I think red meat can be an issue at restaurants and should be sent back. But my question is how many times can it be sent back before the chef hates you and spits on it (or worse). I had a meal at Palm Cove when the first steak was well done rather than medium rare, so I sent it back. The replacement steak was cooked properly but inedible because it was thick with gristle. I sent this one back too, but declined a third attempt, or indeed a replacement. They handled it okay, but I won’t eat there again.
In contrast, in Santa Monica recently, my husband ordered a medium steak, which turned up well done. They took it away, looked at it, came back and totally agreed with him and replaced it with a perfectly cooked steak and didn’t charge him for it. I LOVE American service, and the recognition that if something is not right you send it back. I think here in Australia we tolerate things too much and therefore don’t always get the food we deserve.
mmmm, I’m still thinking about those potatoes.
So where shall we meet again next
Yes I would let them know & if they know anything about service they take it off the bill without being asked.
It’s what I do when I waitress at my friends guest house in the mountains.
The rest looks pretty good though & I love a good Guns ‘n’ Roses quote.
Post a Comment