LOCATIONOn Balmain’s trendy Darling Street, a short walk from the Balmain and Balmain East Ferry Wharf or a 15 minute bus ride from Wynyard station in Sydney’s CBD.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAIf you can’t afford a ticket to Europe but are hankering for a slice of its culture (and food), La Boheme is here to satisfy. Located within the heritage-listed belly of the former Lecture Hall of the Working Men’s Institute, this restaurant was designed to transport you to a world where wood is solid, chandeliers are rustic, beer steins froth at the lip and food is infused with hearty European flavours. You feel the very sense of being in Bohemia – or anywhere in mid Europe for that matter – from the moment you step into its enclosed, leafy courtyard. This is where La Boheme operates its cafe and where Balmain locals come to sit on heavy wooden benches for breakfast, lunch or organic coffee before the heavy wooden doors of the restaurant swing open and steal the thunder.
Behind these wooden guardians you’ll find a two-level restaurant that shows off the heart and soul of Europe – wooden floors, tables, ceilings, gothic-style chandeliers, mighty glasses of beer and charming Eastern European staff. And then there is the menu; a comprehensive map of mid European cuisine. If you’re not sure where to start, a traditional steak tartar served raw with garlic rye toast is a fantastic way to go, although the La Boheme spicy shredded duck canapes will not disappoint either. Mains continue with meaty options including a much-loved grilled pork knuckle and hearty Hungarian beef goulash – in fact anything in the “house specials” section will delight. There is also a vegetarian section, but you’re not likely to score points with your vegetarian date so save a visit to this restaurant for your beer loving friends. The beverage menu covers a good chunk of Europe with a 29-strong beer selection and also boasts a decent wine, spirit, cocktail and soft drink list.
Agnes Gajewska, December 2009