Poking my nose in the door as I wandered past last year, I wasn’t immediately drawn into this warmly textured dining room.
More fool me, as there’s a carefully considered dining experience to be had; honed since they first opened.
Plus, with a well-mixed Pineapple Negroni ($16) in your hand, it’s easy to forget it’s only hump day!
The smoky-sweet tang proved the perfect foil for a Rainford Burger Throwdown ($4) - one of the better three-bite burgers to hit this city.
If you’re sharing, Albacore Tuna Tartare ($18) is a pleasantly pink pile of raw fish you heap upon flavoursome salted crisps with tart bloody Mary granita.
In case crisps hasn’t given it away, the food here has a loose British sensibility, also evident in perfectly Grilled Scallops with Artichoke Puree and Truffle Oil ($19).
For a main, I appreciated a midweek bowl of Orecchiette, Broccoli and Chilli Basil ($19) accompanied by the standout 2011 Torbreck Juveniles GSM ($12/glass) selected from their reasonably priced list.
As portions sizes don’t preclude dessert, I investigated the signature All-American Banana Cream Pie ($14) with relish.
While it’s notable for the intensity of banana, it was a sweet (Not So) Eton Mess ($14) with dollops of yuzu curd that really stole my heart…
Rainford Street Social
500 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Ph: (02) 9357 2573
