One word for this restaurant:
Outstanding. From start to delectable finish,
flavours were a hit. A dining voucher recently arrived, a gift from my brother. The voucher was for the Sharing Menu at
The Governors Table Restaurant, which is on the site of Australia's first Government House. Some of the historic structures are preserved at the Museum of Sydney adjacent to this restaurant. The Governors Table has been at this site for two years replacing the Museum of Sydney Cafe.
Photo: Faye
Ten dishes, beautifully presented,
each dish mouth-watering. To set the tone for the evening, my husband ordered The Forgotten Bridge cocktail. Described as "the original bridge that crossed the tank stream", this drink contained rum, passionfruit, vanilla and lime, decoratively served with half a passionfruit bobbing in the cocktail glass. It was a very tasty cocktail.
Photo: Faye
The mocktail which I ordered was Spirited Arabanoo with passionfruit, watermelon, cranberry juice and honey. This was one of the most refreshing mocktails I have drank. There can be a tendency with mocktails for one ingredient to overpower the others but this drink was nicely balanced. It was so tasty, I later ordered a second Arabanoo. Between sipping a cocktail and slurping on a mocktail, it was relaxing to unwind in the ambience of this restaurant. Drinks were not included in the dining voucher but were well worth the refreshment.
Photo: Faye
Our Sharing Menu began with baked garlic bread on one plate and olives, garlic, lemon and chilli flakes on another plate. These were very tasty and a nice start to our evening.
Photo: Faye
Next were the Batemans Bay scallops in tomato water and verjuice. On the other plate were cumin and honey lamb ribs atop green vegies with pomegranates and feta. Both were beautifully presented and were delicious.
Photo: Faye
The main dish of fennel and rosemary rubbed pork was presented on one plate with greens.
Photo: Faye
In separate bowls were large chunks of roast pumpkin, thick potato cuts with garlic and rosemary and a flavoursome mixed leaf salad with merlot balsamic dressing. This took the humble baked pork and three veg to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Photo: Faye
Last but not the least were the desserts. Bread and butter pudding with baked quince and rum and raisin syrup on one plate, the choc fondant with a chocolate arancini and whipped white chocolate on another plate. Did I really want to share? Battle lines were drawn, fork artillery at the ready, napkins waved to signal the skirmish about to begin. This was going to get messy. Fighting through fondant on the left and rum syrup on the right with the arancini ball skidding around this frenzy, there were no losers. There were only grinners and winners in the end.
Photo: Faye
Tea and coffee were the final part of this wonderful meal. The Governors Table Restaurant considers its tea drinking customers highly. The teapot at this restaurant did not drizzle down the sides onto the saucer or flood the table when I poured tea, the teapot actually poured tea direct into the cup. The Governors Table has an indoor and outdoor dining area as well as a private dining area. They also do lunches seven days a week and breakfasts on weekends.
Photo: Faye
There is a Prix Fixe menu for customers who want a quick lunch or who wish to dine prior to attending the theatre. Whether one visits the Governors Table using a dining voucher or not, I highly recommend this restaurant. Each dish had a good balance of flavours, not one feature over-powered the other. It had a charming softly lit atmosphere with impeccable service from the two waiters who were friendly, professional and knowledgeable.
