Update: Review of Wild Bunch Food & Wine 2012
It is the night before the opening, and friends, family and guests of the Wild Bunch Seaforth are gathered inside the newly-refurbished premises to toast the launch of this unique café and wine bar concept on the Northern Beaches.
You’ll easily find Wild Bunch Food & Wine in Seaforth. Its prime location with three sided frontage along Sydney Road just before the roundabout makes is an ideal spot to stop for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or even for a drink.
Wild Bunch Food & Wine
Wild Bunch Food & Wine is the joint venture between Chris Cranswick-Smith of Emmilou Tapas Bar, Dinesh Wicks, Al Matthews, Cadell Bradnock and Marc Lawler, recently featured in the interview with the Wild Bunch.
Chris with guests in front of the bar area
Restaurant Manager, Simon Drysdale, is no stranger to the locale, having worked in the same spot for the previous café owner for nearly four and half years. He is joined by Assistant Manager, Jacquie Wootton, and together, they are a formidable team.
Jacquie (Assistant Manager) and Simon (Restaurant Manager)
The menu offers an eclectic and exciting range of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chef Chris Cranswick-Smith’s influences are evident throughout, drawing on his extensive European experiences in Spain, France and the Mediterranean.
For breakfast, you can choose from Nibbles such as Spanish toast with tomato and Jamón Serrano or a mezze breakfast for two that takes the taste buds to the Mediterranean. There’s Something Light that includes a Wild Bunch Fruit Salad, and the Eggs n Stuff section with a Breakfast Burrito with scrambled eggs, chorizo, humous and harissa. You could even go Big Bang with a Breakfast Quesadilla with a sweet green chilli salsa or opt for Something Naughty served with organic agave syrup.
Coffee includes all the favourites and a specialty section with an intriguing coffee called The South American, a double shot of espresso over sweetened condensed milk. Breakfast/brunch cocktails are served from 10 am with a takeaway breakfast menu also available from 7 am.
The team at Wild Bunch Food & Wine
For a quick meal, burgers are served from 12-7pm and you can choose from Cajun Chicken, Beef Burgers, and a vegetarian option with grilled haloumi. There’s even a bunless burger option for those concerned about their carb intake.
Doggy Diners are also catered for. Yes, I’m talking about the pooch kind, with four options ranging from the aptly-named A Dog’s Breakfast to The Pampered Pooch.
The Wild Bunch (L to R): Marc Lawler, Dinesh Wicks, Chris Cranswick-Smith, Cadell Bradnock, Al Matthews
Regulars to Emmilou Tapas Bar in Surry Hills will identify popular dishes on the Lunch and Dinner menu. There are Share Plates that include Emmilou favourites, like the Stuffed Zucchini Flowers and the 16 hour pork belly from the Mains section. Temptation are called Sweet Things, with a dessert served with a Tequila jelly – simply to die for.
And in keeping with the origin of the name, a wild bunch of herbs can be cut at your table to add more freshness to the dishes.
Allow yourself sufficient time to study the Drinks menu. After all, Wild Bunch Food & Wine is a spot where you can also drop in for a drink. Wines have a local focus from areas in NSW such as Mudgee and the Riverina and spread throughout to New Zealand, France, Spain and South America.
The spirit list impresses with a cross section of white and dark spirits and a 1942 Don Julio tequila. Pineau des Charentes, not often seen on menus in Sydney, is a welcome addition as is the range of Calvados and aged Armagnacs to round off a good meal.
Wild Bunch Food & Wine opens for trade on 22 December 2011.
Gourmantic will return in the New Year with a review of Wild Bunch Food & Wine.
For more photographs of the event, “Like” our Facebook Page.
Wild Bunch Food & Wine
565 Sydney Rd, Seaforth
Monday to Saturday – 7am to 11pm
Sunday – 7am to 10pm
www.wildbunchfoodandwine.com.au
Photography © by Kevin Burke for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
[…] We’ve focussed the menu on being able to service what the people here want, which is what Dinesh meant when he said we’ve […]
Dear Corinne
I love these kind of casual restaurants which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. I would be tempted to try their burgers once they get into full swing. Great opening review and look forward to your review on the food.
I like the variety in the menu, tempted as I am by some of the breakfast and dinner choices! Looking forward to dining there soon, with a full review of course 🙂
Wow, you’ve had a busy year with all these reviews, Corinne. Looking forward to more in 2012. Have a great Christmas.
Julia and Barry
Thank you! It’s been frantic at times but very satisfying 🙂
thanks @Gourmantic for our wonderful opening night post @wildbunchfw, looking forward to seeing you soon!! https://gourmantic.com/2011/12/22/wild-bunch-food-and-wine-seaforth-pre-opening-night-drinks/
This comment was originally posted on Twitter.
Thanks @MrGourmantic for the fantastic photos and rundown of preopening @wildbunchfw! Can’t wait to have you in for a taste test
This comment was originally posted on Twitter.
Check out @MrGourmantic’s great preopening review, with a link through to get to know the team a little better aswell https://gourmantic.com/2011/12/19/interview-wild-bunch-food-and-wine-seaforth/
This comment was originally posted on Twitter.
Menu & drinks sound great. And a dog friendly cafe!
A lot of temptations in that menu… even for pooches!
[…] time. The interview series kicked off with Chef Chris Cranswick-Smith of Emmilou Tapas Bar and Wild Bunch Food & Wine, followed by Chef Shin Takagi of Japan and Chef Pâtissier Stéphane […]
This cafe has never seen so many people. Haven’t eaten there yet but will check it out soon.
That’s what a friend told me who’s been passing by the cafe during the holiday period! He said it’s always packed, which is great to see for a new business!
WOW! I will absolutely have to make numerous trips to this place, it sounds amazing!! I love all the cool places that are popping up (or maybe have been for years) around Sydney. There is so much innovation in Sydney!
I’m sure you’ll love it. There are many interesting dishes (and drinks!) on the menu to choose from!
[…] lot has changed since the pre-opening night of Wild Bunch Food and Wine in Seaforth. The organic herb garden has grown, the outdoor seating […]