Fantastic experience at Gowings Bar & Grill in the QT Hotel complex
has recently opened inside the heritage listed State Theatre building on Market Street in the city. As part of the newly opened QT Hotel Sydney, another great place has opened up sesame in order to enjoy quality brunch in Sydney. Perfect for foodies who happen to find themselves in this end of town. They even ask you if you'd like a newspaper to read. The staff also thought I was a guest at the hotel. Hilarious yet all fine and dandy.
The bar area
Find yourself inside an elevator to the first floor, music to your ears with bright lights and striking moving art installations is the order of the day before eating the most important meal of the day. You're greeted and welcomed into the hotel space before heading inside for a welcoming breakfast experience. The host takes you to your seat. Thankfully, I got the desired seat overlooking some of the cellars at the main bar, and nestled on one of the plush seats with cushions.
To the left from where I was sitting
It is advisable to book ahead, in other words make reservations in advance. However, for breakfast there is no need - there are ample seats available. It seems like Robert Marchetti was onto a winner with the restaurants striking design. A European brasserie with modern decor and striking lights. You would be forgiven for thinking that you're dining out in one of Sydney's most expensive restaurants. Come to think of it, I have paid more for breakfasts in other parts of Sydney with decor that isn't as homely as it is here.
About to devour these blueberry pancakes
The open planned kitchen means there is nothing to hide, you can see what is going on. Quite an arty, laid back feel. I was given some water to enjoy before I sipped on some quality Triple E organic hand made tea by Penelope Sach. The Triple E ($5.50 per pot) stands for liquorice, peppermint and fennel. The liquorice is quite strong. The liquorice definitely does not taste like the sugary liquorice, in fact more like the real liquorice that naturopaths recommend people should eat. The tea was well brewed. I throughly enjoyed it. The peppermint and the fennel tastes are subtle, yet this was one healthy tea otherwise.
The decor towards the open plan kitchen
To a degree the tea evened out my Blueberry Spelt Flour Pancakes ($16) that came with finely chopped banana and berry pieces; in fact the most finely chopped I have seen in a long time. The main condiments that came with this dish were sugar bananas, organic maple syrup (served separately), and hand made jersey cows milk butter.
Divine and delicious
This was not one overly buttery dish. The banana and berry pieces were powerful. The berry pieces were rather generous served on top and inside the pancakes. A normal stack of three pancakes were provided, with a separate spout to pour as much organic maple syrup as you need. The dish is not as sweet and sugary as it sounds. On the contrary another fairly guilt free dish. I would not go as far to say healthy. It would have been great to have received more maple syrup, otherwise some of the pancakes would not have been as dry. The berry pancakes are delicious when moist in particular. Otherwise I highly recommend this dish.
The European brasserie like ambience
The staff are rather efficient. It is advisable to pay via cash or EFTPOS. A 3% surcharge applies for American Express payments, and another smaller surcharge applies for Visa payments. A great place to pay cash anyway. A great escape kind of feel is enjoyed here. A great way to escape reality with an indulgent (not overly guilt free) treat once in a while. The whole decor is just stunning, including the restrooms. You have no other choice but to pass the hotel's foyer as you leave. Alas, it was difficult to leave.
Tea time. The Triple E tea was amazing
The blueberry pancakes was a great choice
The restrooms in this restaurant are also quite funky
Bliss...
Walk this way...
