Old City, New Menu

We were there at the launch last year, and Scoop recently returned to Newtown's Old City Kitchen & Bar to check out their new menu and other recent developments.

The Middle Eastern and Mediterranean venue on Missenden Road has a new Executive Chef, Chrys Xipolitas, who has expanded on their offerings to introduce in particular some more of the Mediterranean flavours.

We are relieved to find, however, that our old favourites, like that darn excellent Baba Ganouj, have not left the menu.

Many a table can be seen laden with dips ($9 each, 3 for $18, served with pita bread) and small share plates for friends grazing over a glass of happy hour wine in the early evening.

For others, it's all about Old City's signature cocktails, several of which are extravagantly garnished with fairy floss or hundreds and thousands, earning them some evident popularity among sweet toothed drinkers. More classic tastebuds should skip to the back page of the list, to find the bar's standard collection of martinis, sours and such, with or without their signature twist.

A Minty Martini (gin, fresh mint and lemon juice, shaken not stirred, $16) isn't quite as much of a sour kick as it sounds, and is good easy drinking for gin and citrus fans. The Old City Gosling ($17) takes scotch and dry up a step with fresh apple and a dash of bitters.

Dishes are designed for sharing, and include a good variety of meat, seafood and vegetarian options.

Juicy Vine Leaves stuffed with rice, parsely, tomato and "our special spices" ($12) are served warm, a novel phenomenon to this Scoop reviewer who has been known to devour whole tins of dolmades on not infrequent occasions. The warmed versions drowned in citrus juice are a delicious new experience.

One top pick of the current menu has got to be the homemade Haloumi, served with grape and mint and melting in your mouth with tender cheesy goodness ($15). We can't resist sneakily pouring a dash of the vine leaves' tangy lemon dressing on ours, although admittedly the balsamic glaze already speaks for itself.

Or try Zucchini Flowers with pecorino, white truffle and lime ($18), sauteed golden brown Cauliflower with tahini ($12) or Falafel with parsley, onion, garlic, coriander, more of those special spices and tahini ($10).

The BBQ Octopus, braised for 3 hours, has that glorious smoky barbecue taste at which the name hints and is served with olives, roquette, basil and sweet chili balsamic ($24).

Other seafood options include the catch of the day ($ market price) and contrasting Old City and New City Prawns, the former cooked in tomato passata with white wine and crumbled feta ($28), the latter shallow fried with calamari, fresh chili, garlic and parsley ($22).

Meat-wise there's a 6 hour Slow Cooked Lamb shoulder marinated in "secret Old City sauce" ($26), Za'atar Chicken (made with sesame seeds, thyme and sumac - if you have yet to try Za'atar you are missing out, $22) and old menu staples of Kafta, Chicken or Lamb Skewers served with salad, dip and bread ($16-20)

The chargrilled Spatchcock ($32)  is another new offering readily becoming a favourite. The bird is chargrilled and served with chicken and lemon broth on a haloumi and spinach pilaf, essentially a haloumi risotto. Yum. And it's a generous portion, too.

Wines by the glass start with a solid Eden & Clare Valley Riesling ($9) and Cake Wines Pinot Noir ($8), in a concise list that is almost entirely Australian and refreshingly well priced.

On tap are Peroni and Wild Yak, with a few other Australian beers available bottled.

Daily dessert specials vary as per the chef, though the Baclava sitting temptingly on the bar counter seems to be be a fixed option. Scoop's team tried a chef's special of Baked Apple Pastry Scrolls with butterscotch sauce and cream, that was as sweet and fruity as it sounds.

Old City is a suave bar and dining venue serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours in a stylish modern interior. They open daily for lunch and dinner, with happy hour drinks from 3-7pm.