We checked out slinky talk-of-the-town Favela
Curious to discover what Sydney's stylish late night dining district had to offer, and hungry for a taste of downtown class and sass, Daniela Aroche checked out new slinky establishment and talk-of-the-town, Favela.
The restaurant Favela, which is also the name for the slums of Brazil, is set on the corner of one of the many winding streets in Sydney's Kings Cross district, and in fact, is so inconspicuous in its outer appearance that I almost walked straight past on a chilly Friday night.
The dim candle-lit interior of the restaurant is the first thing you'll notice as you step through the dark wooden double doors and make your way down the staircase to the stylish bar and lounge area.
Everything in this establishment has been tweaked to ooze modern sophistication, and even the dcor itself - from the smooth leather couches and white candles to the polished timber floors and dark wood tables - adds to the seductive vibe.
We're greeted at the bar by the host, David Di Clemente, where we order a few pre-dinner drinks from the massive selection of exotic cocktails and traditional mixes available - a refreshing Rose Petal Martini for me, and a traditional Mojito for my guest - before heading to our corner table.
Once seated, we receive the cocktails almost immediately, along with a plate of fresh soybeans covered in soy sauce and rock salt, which the knowledgeable waitress explains is just "a little something to get everything started".
Taking her lead, we order a plate of 'Sweet potato and orange zest spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce' from the Dim Sum menu and 'Salt and pepper cuttlefish, with adjud & ponzu soy dipping sauces'. Both are a fantastic start to the evening, and although the spring rolls aren't as tasty as I'd hoped, the salt & pepper cuttlefish more than make up for it - spicy, flavoursome and not over-coated in batter.
Our plates are cleared almost as soon as we finish, and after a brief 10-minute interval, our mains arrive - 'Crispy aromatic chicken, spicy coconut sauce' and 'Red curry of duck with baby corn & apple aubergine'.
The servings for both main dishes are enormous, and I start to wonder whether there is actually a whole chicken underneath the lashings of the creamy coconut sauce on my plate.
Nevertheless, both mains are definitely up to par and don't disappoint in the slightest - the chicken is tender, the skin crispy and golden brown, and the spicy coconut sauce is to die for - rich, creamy and with just the right amount of spice.
The red curry duck is also delicious - the rich curry infused with lemongrass flavours and tangy spices melds beautifully with the slices of duck. Our side dishes of 'Steamed kailan (or shoots of Chinese broccoli) with oyster sauce' complement the mains to a tee.
After filling ourselves to the brim with this lavish feast of Asian cuisine, my guest and I find ourselves wondering whether we can fit in dessert, but after having a look over the selection of sweet treats on offer, we succumb to temptation and decide to go all out and order the tasting plate - a decadent combination of white chocolate, mint and berry wontons, coconut and pandan gelato, banana spring rolls, vanilla tapioca, and chocolate and lemongrass brulee.
Although I am a regular victim of the sugar-fix addiction, I have to say Favela's dessert menu was the highlight of the meal - especially the banana spring rolls and vanilla tapioca - the sweetness and creamy texture of the banana wrapped in the golden, crispy pastry is balanced out perfectly by the soft, grainy texture of the tapioca, which is not too sweet.
Overall, an amazing evening, perfect for a leisurely Friday dinner and drinks session and stylish and sophisticated enough for an after-hours business get-together - as expected though, the place does get a little louder after 9pm on a Friday night, as eager weekenders make their way to the club upstairs.
