Bodega

We love tapas as a format - it's the hott (with two t's) thing in New York at the moment and it's bound to take off here as well. (actually judging by the number of people that bundled in to this space on a Wednesday, it already has) And it's hard to hear the name "bodega" and not think of NY and it's ubiquitous corner shops.

But that aside and try as we might (even despite this deliciousness), we just didn't love Surry Hills' new Bodega.

Oh how we wanted to fall in love. What a cute little space. And what enthusiastic service beyond the call of duty. Some of what we sampled was ok but most of the food just fell short of the mark for different reasons in different dishes.

We'd like to think that maybe we ordered poorly but we sampled so much that it's hard to chalk it up to that. The only other excuse we can hope for is that since it's a fairly new kitchen, maybe things will settle in - let's hope this is the case.

Best of the night was the morcilla with apple and radish salad pictured in the first image below.

Bodega is at Shop 1 216 Commonwealth St Surry Hills 2010 NSW Ph: (02) 9212 7766

Comments

[Julia]

I live in Surry Hills so it's brilliant that all these new eateries are opening in my neck of the woods but I just can't keep up!

[la nadine]

two non-bodega related things:

1) i caved and bought the good food guide today, despite our weekend conversation.

2) what say you of vini? have you been?

[Sean]

Salut La Nadine,

1) We're glad you bought in to the book, everyone needs a guide.

2) We haven't been to Vini and we've heard nothing but raves - unfortunately we've also heard it's tiny (6 tables) and impossible to get in ATM. We're waiting for a new shiny object to capture everyone's attention so we can slip in then.

[la nadine]

hmmm, that's what i've heard too. BUT I WANNA GO NOW!!!

[ben]

Vini - so do NOT go! Supercilious service, downright condescending at times. All 'popular'items are out by 7pm, and a very very odd system of seating patrons. 2 people were given a table for 4, 3 of us were given a table for 2, like it was the most prized possession in the world. Much better food can be had at Il Baretto, for my money. Wine markup at Vini ain't exactly minuscule either.

[la nadine]

thanks ben.

i'll take that into consideration.

[Madelaine]

I've been to Bodega in Surry Hills and completely disagree with your comments. The food is amazing - perhaps your palate is more accustomed to the Liverpool Street style tapas - not this refreshing, contemporary (mixed with some traditional) style. I was lucky that the only 2 seats remaining were at the bar - so I got dinner and a show!!! With chefs this personable and cool - who needs celebrity chef cooking shows, when you can get the real deal at Bodega. Food, wine, service and atmosphere all increadible. I'll definately be going back!

[SlaveToShopping]

Went to Bodega last Saturday night. Loved the paella stuffed in the tomato, loved the empanadas and loved that Arganitinian beer. We were at the communal table and the couple next to us handed us their blood sausage dish to try as they didn't like it. Was OK.

Next time, will just go for beer and empanadas on a summer night instead of full-on meal.

[Sean]

Hi Madelaine,

You seem to like Bodega so much that it almost sounds like you work there (or you should). And you certainly are keen since you came here via a search for "Bodega Surry Hills."

At any rate, I think you misread the intention in this post though as we were trying to be charitable to Bodega both because it is new and because it really could be something good (we didn't want to overjudge and I intentionally didn't pick at the detail)

However, the fact is though that two out of three of us didn't really think much of most of the food. (must've been our pallettes)