Ra Bar @ Enmore/Newtown

Before my sister and I headed to the Aqua Concert we decided to eat, and after some researching and feeling like tapas, we found Ra Bar. Ra Bar is small restaurant/tapas bar, dining about 25 -30 people including seats at the bar. It provides a cosy eating environment and very nice staff. Ra Bar seems to get a lot of business, because upon arrival a lot of the tables were reserved so we were seated at the bar. 

The menu showed that the restaurant isn't traditional Spanish tapas', but an assortment of all different tapas' from different cuisines such as Chinese and Lebanese. With that, we decided to get an 11 (technically single dishes) course banquet which was $25 per person, at a minimum of 2 people. Reason we chose the banquet was so that we could try a range of things, and if we liked something more then we could order more.

Crispy bread with labna, babaganoush and marinated olives

This was extremely addicting! Labna is a yoghurt based cheese and babaganoush is an eggplant based dip (both mainly of Lebanese origin). The labna had a smooth texture, and a unique taste. Strangely, I am not a fan of cheese or yoghurt, yet labna was really good. The babaganoush had a lovely taste of mashed roasted eggplant.  The crisp bread with the smooth cheese and the eggplant dip was a great start to the banquet.

Chilli chorizo with chimmi churri

Mmm chorizo and chimmi churri (mainly South American origin)  is one of the best combinations I have ever tried. First, time I tried it was at a family dinner, and trying it again, didn't disappoint. The main ingredients of chimmi churri is oregano, parsley, garlic and olive oil. It adds a freshness to grilled meat, with a slight lemony kick. 

Meatballs and shitake risotto balls

The meatballs had a basic tomato sauce so nothing special. The risotto balls on the other hand were different. Fried goodness with a soft risotto centre with a side of herb garlic sauce, yum! They had the perfect crunch, just don't eat them to fast because they were hot and almost burnt my tongue.

Cheese rolls and stuffed mushrooms

I wasn't the biggest fan of this dish, but my sister enjoyed it. The stuffed mushroom was similar to a warm quiche, except without pastry and a mushroom instead. The cheese rolls, was what you would expect in a cheese roll/mini pastizzi.

Prawn Dumplings

Another ordinary dish (maybe because I am Asian?), this style of prawn dumplings are commonly known as Ha Kau amongst Chinese and Vietnamese people. It is prawn mince inside a flour/water based noodle like outside, which is generally steamed and dipped in chilli sauce or soy sauce. However, I did like how it came in the bamboo steamer, provided a little touch on the origin of the dish.

Lamb kofta w/ hommus and peri-peri chicken skewers with garlic aioli

Last few pieces of the banquet, lamb kofta (mainly of a Lebanese origin) and peri- peri chicken (Portuguese origin) with there associated sauces. The lamb kofta was nice, but I have eaten better, especially at my favourite Lebanese resturant Al Aseel. The peri-peri chicken was ordinary as well, it tasted as if it could have been store bought mini kebab sticks, but I am not sure on that. The garlic aoili was tasty though, and with the hommus I am not a fan of it under any real circumstances, so to me it tasted like all other hommus'. 

The bar

I loved the way that Ra Bar displays there bar, you can see all the alcohol labels and it is neat and tidy. It captivates your attention as soon as you walk into the restaurant/tapas bar. Overall I found the first half of the meal a lot more enjoyable than the second half. I would definitely go back for the crispy bread with labna & babaganoush, chimmi churri with chorizo and the risotto balls. 

Good food, good times!