I’ve taken quite a liking to The Rocks recently. I don’t know what came over me, but in previous trips I’ve written the place off as “that crappy old place”. Yes it is one of the oldest parts of Sydney, but really it does have a wonderfully “ye olde” feel to it that is really starting to grow on me. As a futurist I suppose I always overlooked it because of it’s age. My loss is now my gain!
We were supposed to go to Saké, a Japanese restaurant in The Rocks, but unfortunately we under estimated the place’s popularity and it was fully booked up. The next available slot was in 45 minutes and we were starving right there and then. We decided to book for the next day and go looking elsewhere for food.
It didn’t take long to find The Argyle as they’re right next door. We had seen them advertised on TheRocks.com before we came to Oz, and had completely forgotten about them. We were in luck because Tuesday nights are 2-for-1 steak night! Woohoo!
I’m really not a pub kind of person, but there’s something about The Argyle that I like. I guess it’s the look, it’s much more spaced and neat than a typical pub/bar, but I guess on a busy night it could get a bit hectic.
So the steaks… Yes 2 for the price of 1, and at $16 that’s a bargain. Ok they’re sirloin, which I don’t consider to be the best (I like fillet), but I’ll tell you something, these were good steaks, and the chips were good too.
Steak porn anyone?
The salt and pepper squid ($15) on the other hand was not as good. It tasted nice enough, but that was marred by the fact that it was too oily and the texture was rubbery like it had been cooked too long.
For dessert Caro had the dessert tasting plate ($13), which comprised mixed berry compote with sauce anglaise, chocolate panna cotta and crème brulée. They all tasted very nice, except for the crème brulée which while nice was a bit too eggy. I’m not sure I’d call it a tasting plate though as they were all what I’d consider full size and the lot together was quite a lot to eat. Still if you wanted to taste them all, or wanted to share then this is the way to do it!
I had the rhubarb and apple crumble ($12) which was very nice, especially with the custard poured over the top!
LOCATION
The Argyle
18 Argyle Street
The Rocks
Sydney
Tel: (02) 9247 5500
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I have only recently come across your blog after seeing it mentioned somewhere in TPF’s blog and I have to say that I cannot stop coming back to it. Your site now is one of my regulars where I check everyday for new updates or posts which is even better as you are very prompt with adding new posts. I am from Perth but have a friend living in Sydney and I am now telling her all these places she should be going to since discovering your Sydney posts!
Hi, also another visitor through TFP. The Rocks was my favourite place to chill out the twice I was in Sydney. I have a tendency to order salt and pepper squid everytime it appears on a menu, but am left disappointed more often than not by the quality of the squid and batter. I hope you’re enjoying your visit to Sydney before your move. Good luck.
Ranee, thanks, that’s good to know, although the quantity of posts will drop a bit now that we are no longer in Australia. We will be back in April/May next year, but for the time being stick around and see what kind of food we eat in South Africa! We’ll be slowing down a bit with the posts because normally we don’t eat out every night, but we will still post pics of food that we eat at home too.
gcroft, also thanks! Yeah I really don’t know what my problem was in the past because The Rocks really is a lovely area. I normally order calamari grilled in South Africa because the battered or crumbed versions are often oily and soggy. But when it comes to grilled calamari, we tend to do it well. There are exceptions of course. We loved our trip to Sydney, and we are absolutely in love with Sydney, and Australia in general. The next nine months back home are going to be tough (not that South Africa is such a bad place), but already I can’t wait to get back to Sydney!
2 for 1 on steak, you can’t go wrong!
I like mine rare, do like fillets too but also will happily eat sirloin.
I know!
Mine have to been done medium-well, at the very least. I can’t stand to see red juices!