Overlooking Circular Quay, just above the Cahill expressway, on the rooftop of the old customs house, is Café Sydney. Industrial interior matches the camping style chairs on the terrace and the casual, albeit high-tech atmosphere is quite in contrast to the patrons who are mainly suits in a hurry.
The view is excellent and the menu a strange mix of seafood and mod Oz with an Indian touch. Servings are generous and prices are reasonable. There is an abundance of waiting staff. They are friendly and helpful but lack polish. We are shown to our table, sit down and are handed the menus and wine list. About 15 minutes later, we have long since closed the menus to indicate we are ready to order, the waiter appears with a short printed “specials list”. Talk about confusing the issue! Please to ALL the waiting staff out there: there is NO point in pointing out the specials when the guests have already had ample time to make up their mind, especially at lunch when time is traditionally short. We order 3 entrees to share for the two of us. The “Bugs in shell with mayonnaise and lemon” are fresh and juicy. We are however still wondering what happened to the 6th half… The “Char-grilled octopus with parsley, lemon zest, olive and a Sicilian eggplant relish” is undercooked and way too salty and the “Pan-fried confit of duck with a salad of rocket, walnut and fennel” good and well presented. The mains unfortunately disappoint even more. The “Free range chicken breast and leg roasted with lemon and served with corn and celeriac puree” although very tasty is extremely dry. Similarly the “Grilled pork cutlet with roasted Jerusalem artichokes and apple and date puree” is grilled to within an inch of its life and the crab apples, although pretty, not palatable. Portions are large, the presentation is reasonable but it remains function food at best. The wine list is good and wine prices are reasonable. Looking around the packed restaurant all I can see though are happy customers who will no doubt come back for another average meal with a great view.
Score: 5/10
For more information or bookings:
Café Sydney 02 9298 0309