Hartsyard @ Newtown

I have wanted to try Hartsyard since it opened a bit over a year ago. Finally, I seized the opportunity to go. Hartsyard is an urban styled dining experience, where you can catch up with a friend, or a small group and share lots of good food. The lighting provides an intimate atmosphere, with a friendly vibe. For 2 people the waiter advised to choose maximum of 3 dishes, or 4 if you aren't having dessert. This was perfect amount, when walking out on a full stomach in a very satisfying nature.

All the tables have tabasco sauce and awesome cloth napkins

House smoked ham, potato buns, pickled greens, tomato relish, mustard, cripsy pig, parmesan cheese

This was a lovely starter from the 'seed' portion of the menu. It was a great dish, where all the condiments provided different elements of salty and tangy. The only part I didn't like was the spoonful of pig fat they put on the side of dish, just doesn't feel right to eat or spread on fat like that. It is a new dish on their menu where the waiter asked for our opinion of the dish when we had consumed it all.

Mocktails $8, Cocktail $18

Mocktails aren't on the drinks menu, but they are more than happy to whip one up for you. I have no idea what was in my mocktail, but it was refreshing.

Pulled pork, maple bacon, labne, apple and pork crackling 

Can't get enough pork! The slab of pulled pork may not look very big in the photo, but it had a lot of pork in it. I am usually not a fan of maple bacon, but the caramelisation was deliciously different. The sauce was nice and sticky in nature. The labne, apple and crackling made as an excellent side.

Fried chicken, buttermilk biscuit, low country sausage gravy

Fried chicken, can't say no to that. There were 3 pieces of chicken on the plate, all coated with crunchy goodness. The gravy was very creamy, and not the normal brown gravy you expect. Underneath the gravy was bread, but I was hoping it was mash potato which would have accompanied the chicken a lot better. 

Peanut butter & Banana Sundae: Pretzel ice cream, banana cream filled doughnuts and chocolate fudge

After feeling really full of the 'seeds' and 'feeds' dessert was still a must. We were tempted to get 2 desserts, but decided to share the one and we chose the sundae. A great mixture of sweet and salty, which may not be everyone's cup of tea. My favourite part was the banana cream filled doughnuts! The banana inside with crunchy, soft, cinnamon outside, DELICIOUS! I wish you could just order those for dessert. The pretzel ice-cream takes sometime to adjust to, but once there it is a tasty treat! 

The staff at Hartsyard are really friendly, and provide good advice on what you may or may not want to order. The entire meal, including drinks came to roughly $120 for 2 people. It was a very fulfilling meal, and will definitely be going there again.

Good food, good times!