PROFILE BY BEST RESTAURANTS
Bogart's Bar and Grill in Parap will give you an eating-out experience like nothing else in Darwin – from the deliciously kitsch decor to the unique dishes, you'll come away from Bogart's feeling as though you've had a real dining adventure. The food is wholesome and hearty northern European-inspired cuisine. The ubiquitous and friendly proprietor will be happy to sit at your table and explain each dish to you, along with where he drew his inspiration from in designing the menu. It's obvious that his chef shares in the passion, as the food is presented with a fresh, original and daring twist on familiar favourites.
For an entree, try the grilled calamari with banana mayonnaise or Swedish gravlax cured salmon with dill mustard. Main courses consist of lamb, chicken, meatballs, steak and vegetarian options. The aptly titled "Plank Steak" is the signature dish of Bogart's. A thick cut of eye fillet smothered in bearnaise sauce is served on a wooden plank with tasty treats such as bacon, mushrooms, beans and mashed potato. The dining room has a lovely, laid-back ambience and a recent refurbishment has seen sofas added, where you can enjoy a drink before retreating to your table. Thankfully, the charm of the original restaurant has remained – old movie stars glance down on you from the walls, and flowing pieces of fabric hanging from the ceiling keep the lighting low and the mood casual. Bogart's can be sparse during the week, but is bursting at the seams on Fridays and Saturdays with live music and functions in full swing.
Liam Phillips