LOCATIONIdeally located five minutes from the city in the hub of Surry Hills.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAThis hip, contemporary tapas bar radiates gastronomic sophistication. Located in the popular food quarter of Surry Hills, Bodega boasts a lively atmosphere set around an open kitchen, where you can watch the mastery of chef/owner’s Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz at work. A warm welcome by maitre d' Sarah Doyle and a stylish and tight team offer friendly and professional service adding to this wonderful dining experience. It is this combination of superb food, a vibrant atmosphere and great staff that has wowed patrons since 2006 when Bodega first opened its doors. It’s no wonder Bodega has received many industry accolades – including Best New Talent, Gourmet Traveller 2009; Favourite Mediterranean, Good Food Guide 2008; and Favourite Tapas, Good Food Guide 2009. And the good news keeps coming. Bodega has recently expanded to include a bar and diner serving up traditional home-cooked Argentinean food. You may even find Abrahanowicz’s parents rattling the pans in the kitchen.
The menu draws inspiration from Spanish and Argentinean food, wine and culture and is therefore designed with sharing in mind. In creating the menu, the chefs draw on fine dining experience and use fresh, quality produce. Expect to see dishes, such as, Argentinean-style beef empanadas with salsa criolla, steamed pork belly with warm salad of onion and shitake mushroom, and seared scallops with pickled Wagyu tongue, cabbage and celeriac salad. The plates range from $6 to $26 with most people reaching contentment after three plates. The wine list is another of Bodega’s features, with an extensive array of Spanish and South American wines that have been carefully chosen to complement the food.
Kate Johnston, December 2008