Forbes & Burton
Editorial
Slabs of golden sandstone house this iconic dining institution, where the mellow brekkie crowd linger over steaming cups of Single Origin coffee and the morning papers. The weary old bones of this Darlinghurst beauty have seen the decades pass and their surroundings change, but this cafe-cum-restaurant has held its own with unaffected charm. Its elegant simplicity is echoed in the decor; neutral tones meet a concrete floor as giant windows invite the leafy outdoors in. Sophisticated yet relaxed, elegant yet unpretentious, Forbes and Burton lures in a steady stream of regulars to this historic corner site.
Slip into a plywood chair and peruse the all-day breakfast menu, which features all the usuals and a sprinkling of imaginative extras. Spoon into apple and cranberry sweet minted cous cous with berries and rosewater yoghurt, or try the potato cake with poached eggs, oak-smoked salmon and a dollop of onion jam. Forbes and Burton is open for lunch every day until the clock strikes four, but keep in mind the kitchen closes at 2.30pm Monday to Saturday and 3pm Sunday. Come 6.30pm (Tuesday to Saturday) the coffee counter evolves into a bar, the space effortlessly transforming into a warm, candle-lit dining room. A salad of roasted baby beetroot, tomato, basil and buffalo mozzarella topped with hazelnuts is the perfect introduction to a main of pancetta-wrapped duck breast filled with caramelised apple and pistachios, with a celeriac puree and Calvados sauce. Wines hail from France, Italy and New Zealand, complemented by a sizeable selection from home. Check the blackboard for daily dessert specials or team a drop with the moreish cheese platter for a satisfying end to the meal.
Lauren Barker, March 2009
User Feedback
Your Feedback
0 User review (add yours)