Over the years I’ve been going to the Swans with a bunch of mates. For the last two years, I’ve been a season ticket holder and the pre-game venue has either been Arthur’s Pizza or the Imperial. Yesterday the Swans were playing their last game at a convenient 3.15pm first bounce, so I took the opportunity to visit an old favourite, the Taphouse Sydney.
What have I been missing? I reckon this is the first time I’ve been since Covid, and this place will get a hammering next Swans season. Absolutely sensational Chinese food in an old school pub with plenty of decent beer. I gave the Curly Lewis Pilsner and Oatmeal Stout a go.
I have certain dishes that I can’t go past if I see them on a menu. Beef Rendang, Chicken Laksa, Veal Saltimbocca for example. The same goes for a cucumber salad in a Chinese restaurant. I haven’t gone as far as creating an Instagram account for cucumber salads like I have with Laksas, but I am mildly obsessed. Taphouse Sydney’s take is very good. Longitudinal batons of fresh Lebanese cucumber are dressed in a creamy sesame sauce infused with chilli oil.
Despite a pretty ordinary season, it is always good hanging out with the boys. Next season we’ll be hitting the banquet menu hard pre-game at Taphouse Sydney.
Taphouse Sydney: 122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst NSW
back of the ferry 