Firefly
Wine Bar
By Franz Scheurer
Tucked underneath an apartment block, facing the marina, Firefly is unique in Sydney. A really hip, ultra comfortable space, open towards the harbour, dark and alluring and at the same time modern and clean-cut, this is a bon-vivant’s ultimate pre-theatre hide-away. Across the road from the Sydney Theatre Company’s new venue, next to the traditional one at the Wharf, they do cater for pre- and post-theatre business, but are worth a visit even when you’re not culturally inclined.
A lot of thought has obviously gone into the setting up of this place. The wine list is superb and continually evolves, highlighting different regions and grape varieties. With almost half the wines available by the glass, it has one of the best by-the-glass selections I’ve seen. They aren’t necessarily the cheapest ones on the list either, and all wines are appropriate to the food being served. There is also a terrific selection of boutique beers, premium spirits and hot and fancy cocktails.
Firefly’s chef, Timmy Brebner, loves the idea of sharing food. His menu consists of tasting dishes, served in small, shallow bowls, tapas style, and he’s very good at it. If you just drop in for a drink I suggest you order some of the spiced nuts, olives and zucchini chips. If you’re there to graze, order 2-3 dishes per person and share everything. This way you can try a lot of different dishes and trust me, they’re worth it. I adore the deep-fried ‘Brandade gnocchi served with celery and olive’; this is a deeply satisfying dish. ‘Chorizo sausage’ is served with spicy braised beans and I can’t imagine a more child-friendly dish than the ‘Chicken thighs with a honey citrus glaze’… except with me around the kids will be too slow! Try the ‘Lamb shoulder with garlic cream’, perfectly seared and rested, unctuous and moreish, every bit as good as the ‘Roast duck with muscatels and leek’. A range of desserts, a serious cheese plate and house-made petits fours complete the feast and the coffee is superb.
Service is functionally efficient and friendly. Value for money is excellent. You can even buy a bottle of your favourite spirit or single malt to be left behind the bar for your personal use whenever you fancy. A good range of fortifieds, single malts and cigars round off the experience and they even list six different types of cigarettes. Now in this day and age, as a reformed smoker, I really don’t see the need to advertise cancer sticks on a menu, but as a former smoker I applaud the politically incorrect move to do so.
Firefly is all about the way we should eat in Sydney. Lots of different little morsels. Lots of flavour. Lots of interesting drinks. Lots of good wine (variety and quality, not quantity).
Firelfy gets it right.
They open Monday – Friday 11.30am to 11.00pm and weekends from 8.00am (and yes, they do breakfast on the weekend).
Score: 7/10
For more information or bookings:
Firefly Wine Bar
Pier 7
17 Hickson Road
Walsh Bay
Tel.: 02 9241 2031