Porteno [Sydney]
Rave reviews on various boards, across blogs and from Durack in the SMH. So on a wet and cold Sunday there was nothing else to do but give this Argentinean Asador (from the same crew that gave us Bodega) a good work out.
The room is great, reminiscent of many a fine restaurant I have tried in Spain. Service is excellent, and good fun very much in the Bodega spirit. And the food is very fine indeed, with too many wonderful sounding options to try.
We start with some bread and homemade pate which is dense and moreish ($4). Then some Morcilla ($10) which is fine, but not as wonderfully sloppy as the best I have tried. Our big main is the Sucking Pig ($48), supported by some sweetbreads ($16) and a side of brussels sprouts ($14). The pig is fantastic, the sprouts truly amazing (honest), but the sweetbreads were too fatty and salty, the cooking technique (Argentinean BBQ/parrilla) had unfortunately turned something that should be delicate into quite a clunky dish. The desserts finish off the meal at $14 each, some good flan (creme caramel) with chocolate sorbet and kumquat marmalade and also chocolate pudding filled with dulce de leche.
We drank some lovely Argentinean Malbec recommended by the very switched on sommelier and had a sherry or two finish off a fantastic Sunday lunch. Perfect.
