ARMORICA
Whether longing for a boozy lunch or a dimly lit dinner feast, Armorica can provide. Located in Surry Hills’ most lively neighbourhood, Armorica dazzles Crown Street with a heaving French menu and a bustling, beautifully designed dining space. Leather booth seats sit below red marble banquet tables lining the middle of the room while smaller oak tables leave space for those dining more intimately. The open kitchen exhibits their chefs working away within their red-tiled confines, moving seamlessly around wood-fire ovens and stoves as they plate up and prepare dishes to be served to their hungry diners. It was only sometime ago when I sat at their leather booth seats watching dishes leave the blaring heat of the pass, waiting for the steak that was to become the greatest steak that has ever graced my presence. More on that to come.
While almost their entire menu sounds provocatively alluring, their steak selection is my sole reason for repeat visits. A handful of cuts can be chosen from and in my experience they do every one exceptionally well. However, if you are feeling financially confident or are celebrating a special occasion, I would recommend the prize jewel of my steak experience after 23 years on this earth, the 200g wagyu sirloin. As I reminisce on this magical time in my life, I am transported back to the out of body experience that came from chewing down on that first bite of meat. Chewing is an overstatement. One clench of the jaw and the steak melted beneath it like butter. A hefty chunk of rich, medium rare butter. An absolute must try.
MY RECS
With steaks must come sides and their side menu boasts a very wide selection. My favourites? Their creamed spinach, a wilted slop of zesty and creamy flavour that manages to make vegetables fun. And then their duck fat soaked chat potatoes also offer a textural blessing to the tastebuds with their crispy edges and soft middles.
With so many menu items, Armorica manages to defy the odds of quality over quantity and create dishes that are constantly superb. Paying homage to the French cuisine, their sophisticated menu means there will be no struggle to find something to chow down on.
LUNCH TIMES: Lunch specials from $25 to $29 (including a mean sausage & vege pasta coated in a rich tomato sauce)
EVERYDAY FROM 4PM TO 6PM: $6 rosé and $6 beer
MONDAY NIGHTS FROM 5PM TO 9PM: Bottomless steak frites for $65
FRIDAYS FROM 9PM: Live jazz
SOMETHING A LIL EXTRA
OPENING HOURS:
Monday to Thursday: 4pm to 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 12pm to 12am
Sunday: 12pm to 10pm
