Carbòn

Rebecca Varidel
3rd May 2018

All of a sudden, my food friends are listening. Less than a week after it opened I tipped then off about this new makeover Carbòn Bondi with its Mexican wood fired fabulousness. I settled in for a long slow night on my birthday and I couldn't be happier.

When I say they are listening, it's because before I even got to write this, I was rejoicing in the find. Extolling the virtues and value. Amazing loving food, generous delicious portions, at an awesome price that is mostly smaller in number than my years and also worth celebrating.

So I'm a bit of an OK cook yet my Guacamole just doesn't anywhere near measure up to this. In fact, I'd say it is the best that I've ever tasted. The competitors don't come close. And you'll never buy supermarket Guacamole again. No matter where you live in Sydney, if you have the smashed avocado craving you'll start your Bondi trek without delay. Alongside the dip starter, is served lotus root chips, corn ships, fresco cheese and ancient seeds.

We grazed through so many share plates to not only celebrate the occasion but to thoroughly examine the Carbòn offerings - the menu has starters, tacos, and desserts on one side, with woodfire and sides consuming the other half.

Then we slowly cruised through the next level of choices. Starters of Grilled Sweet Corn ($13) (a treat in itself) slightly spicy, slightly smoky, perfection; Chargrilled Squid ($24) soft and cuddly but retaining some assertive bite, and in it again we find a best of breed dish; and the piece de resitance Tuna Tiradito ($14) just dusted in marinade for only long enough the fish remains the hero.

Baja Fish Taco ($8) is devoured quickly and of superior quality. Confit Beef Brisket Taco ($7) is generous, unctuous and rich.

But the winner for the evening is the hearty Roast Lamb Shoulder ($52 for 2). The smoke carries flavour without dominating. Mouth watering flesh on the bone is protected and supported by a fatty hint of coverage. Life doesn't get much better than this. Offsetting it we choose Roasted Pineapple Salsa ($6).

And then comes dessert. The Mess that once was Eton has evolved. Tulum Sweet Mess ($15) takes the meringue and whipped cream combo upmarket with peach and mango, dulce de leche and Davidson plum dust for what was a luscious yet harmoniously balanced sweet completion to the feast.

Add: Tequila, Mezcal, Margaritas. And more.

You get the yummy picture?

And as we are making a bathroom pitstop just before leaving an extra find adds to our future pleasure. There's a cosy room out the back seating 8. Just right for casual private dining. We'll be back.

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288 Bondi Road
Bondi

Tue – Sun 5pm – midnight

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