Visited the one star Elske last night , maybe it’s due to the kingfish crudo but everything about the food , fit out and service style screamed Sydney food scene 2015 to me . Casual mod dining , very approachable .
One of the highlights was served at the beginning - shrimp toast served with a horseradish and shrimp farce and nasturtiums. Unmistakably the flavour of shrimp toast but minus that residual oil flavour that usually haunts them .
The ubiquitous kingfish crudo was next , fish shaved thin and served with kohlrabi , dill and juniper . Alongside was a delicious but salty fennel crumpet , this one was all about texture , would have preferred a drop of acidity .
Confit cod with artichoke , a watercress espuma and fried lemon . Cod still had a little resistance , as with the previous dish personal preference would have called for more acid .
Pre the main course a delicious slice of duck liver tart with salted ramps and buckwheat tart shell . Textbook and rich !
The main course skewed Chicago comfort food/ Germanic , Beef strip loin cooked over fire , a smooth beef sausage and a sweet and sour beef tongue were contrasted with various cabbage preparations. There was pickled , mousse , ash and a cabbage jus . This was a lovely and large comforting main course .
Dessert was an absolute crowd pleaser , a hay cracker covered a lovely smooth toasted soy panna cotta with rhubarb , could have this every day .
Elske , a good locals spot in a great neighbourhood.
