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Bars Restaurants

Riley St Garage, Woolloomooloo

Take a stroll down to Riley St Garage when you’re in need of restoration in the form of gastronomic service and repairs.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Riley St Garage, Woolloomooloo

The newly-opened venue in Woolloomooloo is located mere steps away from William Street and boasts an impressive industrial design. Modern, sleek, with a New York feel, the 200-seat restaurant has a large central bar seating 30 guests and two distinct dining areas.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Photo Wall

Rich leathers, steel, brass and copper detailing in the beautiful art deco building breathe life into the original 1910 industrial warehouse designed by Richard Alexander of RAD Studios. A round dining table in the corner seats twelve persons and can be booked in advance.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Round Dining Table

The restaurant is the vision of Brody Petersen from The Parlour Group of The Flying Squirrel and The Stuffed Beaver. Chef Regan Porteous, (ex Maze London, Dubai and Hong Kong) and Bar Manager, Bobby Carey, (ex-Shady Pines Saloon) head up the new venture with an exciting food and beverage menu.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Riley Street Garage

Prop yourself at the bar and admire the collection of spirits and wines that grace the back bar. The cocktail list features classics with a twist twist such as Breakfast in Manhattan ($20) made with bourbon, sweet vermouth, marmalade and orange bitters and Drunk Uncle ($22) a mix of Islay whisky, Cynar, dry vermouth, “served up and inappropriate”. You’ll also find Canadian and Irish whiskey, craft beers and a selection of local and international wines. Top up with unlimited Santa Vittoria mineral water for $5 a person.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
The Bar

The food menu is designed to be shared with modern Australian dishes ranging from Bites to Small Share, Main Dishes and Large Share.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Smokey Soy Truffle Oysters 

The Smokey Soy Truffle Oysters ($4 each) are not to be missed. They come served on a Ruinart crate filled with ice. The oysters are shucked to order and the smokey soy truffle is addictive.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Beef Carpaccio

The Beef Carpaccio is sprinkled with Soy Vinegar and topped with Brioche Croutons ($16).

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Sashimi Fish ‘n Chips Tartare

Sashimi Fish ‘n Chips Tartare ($14) is an unusual take and a playful dish that combines the freshness of salmon with the saltiness of the potato crisps.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Chorizo Corn Dog 

The Chorizo Corn Dog with Dijon Mayo ($4 each) packs a lot of flavour and appeals to the inner child by inviting you to pick one up and pop it in the mouth.

 Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo    Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo       Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Beer Tempura Moreton Bay Bugs

The Beer Tempura Moreton Bay Bugs with Spicy Mayo ($16) is hard to put down. Lightly battered, the bugs are succulent and the mayo adds a touch of heat that lifts the delicate flavour.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Braised Fremantle Octopus 

The Braised Fremantle Octopus, White Bean, Lemon and Chilli ($17) is tender, delicious and reminiscent of Mediterranean flavours.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Spinach Ricotta Ravioli 

The Spinach Ricotta Ravioli with Burnt Sage Butter ($14) is a perfect synergy with soft and silky ravioli encasing the filling.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Grilled Baby Snapper

The Grilled Baby Snapper with Red Pepper and Chorizo Dressing ($36) is well cooked with moist and flavoursone flesh and comes with the head intact and the central bone removed making it easier to share.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Crispy Pork Knuckle 

It’s easy to get carried away with the Small Share dishes but save room for the dish with the most wow factor. The Crispy Pork Knuckle with Soy Mustard, Picked Apple ($44) is a sizeable serve with tender and juicy meat is tender and and a crispy crackling that crunches beautifully in the mouth.

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Truffled Mash

Pair it with the finest, silky smooth Truffled Mash ($9).

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Chocolate Brownie 

For a sweet end, finish with the rich and decadent Chocolate Brownie with Salted Caramel and Honeycomb ($17).

Riley Street Garage, Woolloomooloo
Gastronomic Service and Repairs

Riley St Garage encourages further visits, whether it is to perch at the bar and nibble on bar bites or sit down for a full dinner. Noise is as you’d expect in a cavernous space with little insulation so it may not suit that intimate dinner for two. The menu is varied and tempts with several options and portion sizes that cater from nibbles to the more substantial. Dishes are well-priced and presented, service is welcoming and the ambiance is relaxed with a chic clientele and the after-work crowd.

Riley Street Garage is a welcome addition to the Sydney drinking and dining scene.

Riley St Garage
55 Riley Street
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Tuesday/Wednesday 5pm-late
Thurs/Fri/Sat 12pm-late
Sunday & Monday Closed
www.rileystgarage.com.au

About the author

Corinne Mossati

Corinne Mossati is a drinks writer, author of GROW YOUR OWN COCKTAIL GARDEN, SHRUBS & BOTANICAL SODAS and founder/editor of Gourmantic, Cocktails & Bars and The Gourmantic Garden. She has been writing extensively about spirits, cocktails, bars and cocktail gardening in more recent years. She is a spirits and cocktail competition judge, Icons of Whisky Australia nominee, contributor to Diageo Bar Academy, cocktail developer and is named in Australian Bartender Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential List. Her cocktail garden was featured on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia and has won several awards. She is a contributor to Real World Gardener radio program and is featured in several publications including Pip Magazine, Organic Gardener, Australian Bartender and Breathe (UK). Read the full bio here.

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