Among the repetitive Thai restaurants along King St, take refuge in a new installment full of integrity, personality, and flavour-full delights.
Named after a tree whose sap resembles a vampire’s favourite treat, Bloodwood is an unpretentious Newtown bar and restaurant that’s more than a cut above the area’s usual haunts. It’s run by three chefs who used to work at the esteemed Claude’s in Paddington, creating an ethos here to serve delicious food and exciting drinks while still maintaining its ‘neighbourhood’ vibe.
Designed by local architect Matt Woods, the majority of the space has been built using recycled and reclaimed materials from the vintage chairs upstairs, to the massive sleepers framing parts of the open kitchen downstairs. Located in the former Newtown Conservatory, the interior of Bloodwood Restaurant and Bar has been transformed to reflect the inner Sydney urban environment through the implementation of reclaimed, recycled, or recyclable materials. At night the deck’s mood is enhanced through recycled jars with a simple tea light candle, while the suspended and knotted cables in the dining room create a rustic feel. With the ability to seat 100, Bloodwood is divided into four unique areas - a front bar, a mezzanine dining area, a deck dining area and a communal table in the basement gallery.
Its down-to-earth atmosphere creates a 'come as you are' affair, and this comfortable ambience mixed with food and wine (or a good cocktail or two) is perfect. It's all about sharing here; you won't find big fancy mains to dig into, but instead larger dishes for several to enjoy. Or if you do fancy dining solo, you could certainly order the grilled squid salad with radicchio and green olives, which also works well as a bar snack.
One of my favourites is the Lamb Kibbeh; a spiced lamb croquette with silken eggplant, kale and bullhorn capsicum sauce ($25) which was delicious, as was the Socca; a chickpea pancake with zucchini, pumpkin, and Persian feta and herbs ($15) As for dessert, try the White Chocolate Parfait ($12) with sticky port and delicious dark chocolate figs…sensational. With or after the meal pick a wine from their modest wine list, a Coopers longneck or a cocktail with a twist from their short and sweet list. If you're after something with a bit of 'bang' try the ‘Bloodwood’ long-island ice tea ($18) which has vodka, gin, rum, tequila and cointreau, topped with bloodwood’s organic earl grey tea syrup…a nice tasteful twist on a once alcoholic cocktail choice.
On balmy nights get in early and snag the outdoor balcony area, it's gorgeous to sit in with a breeze, a glass of wine and some chicken wings to pick at with company.
Newtown really needed a restaurant/bar like Bloodwood, and I'm glad it's arrived...it's simple yet satisfying, interesting not pretentious. So if you're sick of pubs, thai or the usual haunt, drink Bloodwood dry...it'll taste delicious.