Bondi Road

I’ve been wanting to try this place since I read about it in Gothamist, but time passed and I was unable to… finally, for a special “date”, we both wanted seafood and off we went on Thursday night! 

Bondi Road is a super casual and laidback Australian themed seafood bar. 

Having read good things, we opted to start off with the tuna tartare.  The tuna was chopped a bit awkwardly for me to scoop onto the delicious bread, so I didn’t eat much of it, but the olive tapenade and tzatziki-like sauce were tasty.  The bread had a slight kick to it, and I enjoyed its texture, similar to a scallion pancake (without the scallions) in its slightly undercooked center.  While we were happily munching away and chatting, someone happened to walk by and asked us how we liked our appetizer. 

“I haven’t tried the tuna yet, but the bread is lovely,” I said.  My dining companion agreed.

“You haven’t tried the tuna yet!  Try it, I’ll come back,” he said, and walked off.  I laughed and thought to myself, “He must be the owner; he’s got that air about him that he belongs here and doesn’t mind chatting up the patrons.” 

Sure enough, a few minutes later, he came back and asked us again about the tartare.  When we both expressed more enthusiasm over the bread, he told us how he used to make the bread when he was a kid in Australia, it’s called bush bread, and it’s so easy to make… he would eat it whenever they went camping.  A fond look of memory came over his face, then he smiled and bid us a nice meal and walked out, after telling us that this was his place. 

Shortly after, our main courses arrived.  We were both disappointed initially when the waitress told us there was no barramundi, as we’d both wanted to try that… but instead we both opted for various versions of the fresh fish they did have.  Lizz opted for the grilled red snapper, and I’m pretty sure she liked it a lot, but she’ll have to speak up if I got that wrong – we were busy gabbing away about other stuff that I kind of forgot to ask her about the food.  Oops!

Since I’d heard the fried barramundi was so yummy and it was unavailable, I opted instead for the fried sea bass.  I’ve talked about my love of fried fish often.  I’ve rarely had very good fried fish in a restaurant – it tends to be over greasy, over battered, under flavored, whatever the case is, something’s always off.  I prefer my own version the best, knowing exactly what I like and making my own tartar sauce to go with it.  Well, this one was still just alright – the batter super thick, the inside soggy and steaming into a mushy mess, the outside crispy and greasy at the same time… The portion size was nothing to sneeze at, but I found myself struggling to eat all the grease.  In the end, as is my habit when I’m unhappy with my fried fish’s over-battered exterior, I picked out the fish and left the batter on my plate. 

For our sides, Lizz chose a corn and crab ragout, while I went with potato fritters at the waiter’s hesitant suggestion.  Again, I’m not sure what she thought of hers, but mine – well, these giant slabs of potato were the size of my fish pieces!  Covered in the same batter, inside were chunks of hot potato.  Quite yummy, but way too much batter again, and wayy to heavy along with the fried fish.  No fish & fritters for me next time… I ate one and that was enough for me. 

We decided to share a dessert, which the adorable waitress assured us was authentic Australian – the Pavlova.  A giant pavlova “cookie” (which is flaky on the outside and chewy in the center, quite yummy; my first experience with these was over Christmas when my cousin bought a couple for my sister’s big Christmas Eve dinner) topped with whipped cream, passion fruit drizzle, and chunks of kiwi, passion fruit, and a strawberry.  Mmm, this was really good – the chewy center was yummy with the creamy goodness atop it. 

I have to mention here that the service was fantastic – the waiter and waitress alternated, both with real! Australian accents (which prompted me to wonder aloud where they found authentic Australians to waiter), and were both enthusiastic about everything, very helpful and attentive.  My water glass rarely went empty, and they were both sure to tell us the specials (and the drink special of the night was 2-for-1, which we took advantage of; those are some potent drinks!). 

Yvo says: While I’d be wary of getting the fried anything again, the prices were super reasonable – our total for the above, plus 4 cocktails, came to $40 a person (including a generous tip), and I wouldn’t mind going back to try the barramundi, perhaps grilled, as Lizz’s fish looks really delicious, and the other offerings looked tasty as well.  The service was great, and the atmosphere was super casual and laidback, a nice place for a cozy dinner with a girlfriend to discuss life problems or to catch up.  I will definitely be back, and I’m told there’s an all-you-can-drink brunch special that is only $15!  You’ll find me there sometime for brunch…
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