Restaurant review

Every Sunday, I go to this little place in Balmain with my brother and sister. Tucked away in a leafy cul-de-sac just off Darling St, it's quaint and very exclusive. The food is, shall we say, experimental. The regular chef is a semi-retired journalist with a hearing problem, and the wait-staff are academics who would really rather not be working there. One of the regulars is an owl-like Scottish man who only orders tea (black and weak), and sometimes wears a robe.

This narrow terrace has a resident cat, who often takes it upon herself to harvest free-range meat from the paddock out back. There is also a dog, who is deaf, and will eat anything below waist-level. It's recommended that you don't put any food wrappers, or anything that could be mistaken for food wrappers, in the bins.

They have regular screenings of classic television shows, which is a nice touch. Last week we watched 3 episodes of The Handmaid's Tale back-to-back. You will have to pause the viewing for bathroom breaks, even if they aren't yours. There are also snack breaks, tea breaks and animal-capturing expeditions.

The facilities are well above what they need to be, with 2.5 bathrooms for what is, essentially, a 1 bathroom establishment. The chef was insistent on a bathroom upstairs (in the guest room), which only she really uses.

All-in-all, I'd give this place an 8.5/10. It could be in an easier location, but the car-pooling service works well (if you can survive the drivers car). Food is good, if not a bit unpredictable, but that just adds to the charm.