Tag: bondi restaurants

Panama House on Bondi Beach: Mexican inspired food by the beach

Panama House

For the times you need a decent feed, inspired by South America but without the effort of having to travel, think Panama House. Right on Bondi Beach, it’s open plan, airy, got views for days and a menu that’ll have you wanting to come that often, too, serving up Mexican-inspired goods that are simple, honest, easy and delicious. They specialise in brunch and dinner, honing in on what makes the best of their menu worth the seaside trip and why their dining room is in such high demand. With a menu that stars the likes of huevos rancheros with flour and corn tortillas, scrambled eggs, cheese, veracruz beans, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo; fajitas of spiced beef cheek, green mole chicken, confit pork jowl, slaw, veracruz beans, pico, guacamole, sour cream, flour tortillas as well as bourbon-smoked corn fritters with avocado, poached egg, ranch dressing, it’s pretty whole and damn nice. For those after something a touch more substantial, think buttermilk fried chicken burgers with mixed leaf, apple-cabbage slaw, american cheese, lime aíoli, hot sauce, hand-cut fries as well as tacos, salads and a full range of cocktails with super fun names. The creative cocktail list stars winners like “Once Apon A Time in Jalisco” made of vanilla tromba blanco tequila, pampelle grapefruit aperitif, passion fruit, pineapple, lemon, egg; “Caught In The Rain” concocted from plantation pineapple rum, passion fruit curd, coco-pina puree, tempus fugit banane liqueur; and a sweet, kicky “Beneath The City Lights” made with waqar pisco, lillet blanc, pierre ferrand curacao,… Read More

Upper East Side Bondi has a new chef and is doing magical things with food

Upper East Side Bondi Leigh McDivett

It doesn’t matter whether you’re there for the hangover-curing lasagne spring rolls or the grain fed, slow cooked lamb rump, the new menu at Upper East Side Bondi is doing magical things with food. With a new chef to-boot, fresh from the rounds of the Merivale franchise that dominates Sydney’s food and drink offering, chef Leigh McDivett has taken what was already a winning menu of the latest, funky eastern suburbs eatery and turned it up a few notches, playing with new flavours, new ingredients and new looks. “I’m actually steering the menu and the venue as a whole towards what I know and value in cheffing,” said Leigh. “I believe in minimal wastage of food and cooking the beast from nose to tail. The offcuts get turned into dishes of their own.  I believe in sustainability and seasonality and bringing something special to our guests.” And that shows. From the colour and life injected into the menu with a flavour all its own, the new menu at Upper East Side is as much built for sharing and grazing as it is for those who are after something more substantial all to themselves. “My cooking is generally inspired by those around me who influence me. Like my wife who is Italian. Her love of cooking and feeding me lasagne led to my creation of Little Italy meets China Town – the lasagne spring roll.  I also am inspired by traditional French techniques. You can’t go wrong with the classics!” said Leigh. He brings a nice taste of… Read More