No. 10 Bistro The Royal Mint

The Royal Mint (the oldest building in the Sydney CBD) sits majestically on Macquarie Street and has done since colonial days when built by the sale of 45,000 gallons of rum, Governor Macquarie’s ‘Rum Hospital’ provided 200 beds for convict patients.

Most recently the historic building has metamorphosed into the bistro, No. 10 (which by happy coincidence is its Macquarie Street address).

The upper storey verandah is marvellous place to sit and graze and take in the sites of Macquarie Street and across to Hyde Park.

More importantly, No. 10 has a deeply satisfying and appropriate luncheon menu curated by Fresh Catering. Although short at 10 savoury dishes (including cheese) and 2 desserts the menu is well chosen and well executed. To try all of the delicious ten we calculate would offer a different choice each weekday lunch for two people.

The Italian Schnitty ($26) is a surprisingly popular choice. Surprisingly that is until tasted. Quality shines through with crumbed Free Range Chicken Scaloppine with Italian Coleslaw & Lemon. Crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, a satisfyingly good lunchtime portion. Our top choice.

The No. 10 menu is brimming with favourite dishes, all traditional bistro fare although updated to now. Simple yet intriguing, satisfying yet refreshing. There are enough choices and range to make it a lingering long lunch if desired.

Vegetarian option Roast Goats Cheese ($16) with grilled asparagus, inventive and contemporary leek ash, hazelnuts and truffle honey open the menu.

From the late summer starting menu, polenta with figs was a delight. Soft and flavoursome, textural, seasoned, cream, the warmth of the polenta contrasting the sweet coolness of the figs.

Burrata Mozzarella ($17) is a produce showcase plating traditional accompaniments, prosciutto, heirloom tomatoes, and shaved fennel, yet again there is a little update with intriguing dehydrated olives.

Sublime Pisco Cured Salmon ($19) with avocado, finger lime, horseradish, cress and beetroot sings light lunch and right now and Fresh and Sydney.

Bigger offerings like the chicken schnitzel span pasture fed steak, fish and the heavenly No. 10 house made potato gnocchi.

Even the sides shout out modern Sydney as an Iceberg wedge with salad cream, or the glorious artisan Pepe Saya butter with a warm soy & linseed roll. Warm classics of green beans or hot shoestring fries complete the picture.

Hot chocolate fondant is just about the favourite pudding for every bistro patron and here it is crafted perfectly. Or try the other current dessert update on tradition... The latest addition of Panna Cotta gets a modern treatment, vanilla with lychee, compressed watermelon and rosewater granita. No. 10 we're coming running...

To match with the delicious food, Sommelier, Samantha Payne has curated a lovely wine list of handcrafted Australian wines. Or No. 10 also offers signature cocktails and local craft beers. Sip and nibble. It is just lunchtime perfection.

To start a lunch at No. 10 the namesake cocktail of Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka, fresh apple juice, soothing chamomile, fresh mint and lemon, slips down easily.

To add further compliment to the location, Fresh Catering has recently also opened a creative retail space downstairs, featuring a Campos coffee espresso bar, a casual all-day (eat in or take away) menu, Fresh Flowers and a gift boutique by Anthropology.