est
ADDRESS: 252 George St, Sydney
PHONE: (02) 9240 3000
WEBSITE: www.merivale.com/est
OPENING: Lunch- Mon to Fri. Dinner Mon to Sat
BOOKING REQUIRED:Well in advance for Fri/Sat night
LEVEL OF CASHOLA REQUIRED: $$$
CUISINE: Modern Australian and European
Ater a much anticipated wait, I finally got to experience the hype of est. The 5 star service was a highlight and is the reason I would go again! The food was great and the wine list any wine connoisseur would go gaga over.
FLICKS VERDICT:
THE “PEOPLES VERDICT”
The majority of people are in love with the food that est provides but unfortunately like any fine dining restaurant it may take a little saving before venturing back.
IT’S REVIEW TIME!
We arrived early to take advantage of the ‘Sunset Menu’ which included a cocktail, an entrée and main for only $50 (which is ridiculously cheap for a dinner at est). I had been looking forward to this all week. The menu had a selection of 2 entrees and 2 mains which were both very tempting. Mr FYF went for the oysters for his entrée where as I decided on the mozzarella and peach salad. We both wanted the beef for the mains. It was quite nice only having a couple of items to choose from on the menu as this normally is the most stressful part deciding on which dish we would have to miss out on.
First to arrive was the bread which I was very pleased about (I was a little worried about not having the opportunity to be offered bread in this amazing deal). The choice was rye or sourdough, both as equally good as one another.
We were given the wine list which in turn gave me heart palpations; it was like an encyclopedia of the worlds’ wines. The waitress was very helpful in helping me choose a suitable wine and I was impressed as it wasn’t the most expensive wine either, instead it was in the middle price range.
The cocktail was pre chosen “Sunset Cocktail (combination of Elderflower liquor, Vodka, Cranberry and Apple), and it seems to be the same one given over the entire month of the special. I can understand why, it was delicious and didn’t taste very potent which made for very refreshing drink that disappeared in no time.
The peach salad was a joy to the palate, great for an early dinner. I love any salad that combines fruit so automatically that made a winning combo.
The Oysters were fresh and tasted as if they were shucked within the last few hours. The dressing was light and not over powering.
Our mains were quick to follow, 2 medium rare steaks. I was a disappointed that both came out more on the medium well side rather than the medium rare. However the beef piece was an excellent cut (as well as grain fed) so it didn’t taste too bad with the extra cooking.
Overall it was a lovely experience, but not up to the expectation my taste buds had envisioned for one of the best restaurants in Australia.
I plan to go again and conquer their degustation menu which is meant to be outstanding, but will read up on the wine menu prior so I can avoid those heart palpations.
THE LOCALE, DECOR AND VIBE: My first impression was the room wasn’t anything I was imagining. It was a lot bigger than I expected and didn’t have any of the merivales’ new age décor. In saying this when the sun started to go down, the room looked very elegant in the darker setting.
LETS TALK PEOPLE POWER: 5 star service was the main highlight enough so to make me want to again. I wonder what would happen if you had a party of 20 would there be 20 waiters to place your food on the table at the same time?
NOM NOM NOM: The fresh produce that wasn’t over powered by added flavoring.
WOULD I TAKE THE CHEF HOME (IF POLYGAMY WAS LEGAL)? Looking for perfection. Let’s see next time after the degustation menu.
WOW FACTOR: My taste buds were able to experience est first hand and not through reviews
FROWN FACTOR: The overcooked steaks
MENU:
Entrees:
- Italian Buffalo Mozzarella with fresh peach, Serrano jamon and Belgian endive
- Oysters with Ponzu Dressing
Mains:
- Pan roasted Palmers Island Mulloway fillet, tahini yoghurt, broccolini, green peas, dukkah
- Pan roasted black angus beef fillet with wasabi miso and shallot butter, pak choy
Welcome to Flick your Food. Whether you are interested in cooking, eating or just plain old procrastinating I have something for you, and yes, that includes dancing koalas. 
Mmmm. The peach salad! Looks devine and by the sounds of it tasted that way too. Bad luck about the steak but so pleased that you are going to try it again.
Oh dear, not sure medium-well is forgivable… :(
Everytime I’ve had fish at est it’s been absolutely perfect.
The food looks nice enough but a shame that it wasn’t up to your expectations >_< But i do like a place with good service ~
Gah I hate overcooked steak! And i really hate having to send it back.
But I am always scared to do so in fear of unwanted saliva!
But then again, you did have a great deal! What a bargain!
It has been far too many years since I visited Est but I remember adoring the food there. It was an amazing meal :) The entrees look lovely but what a shame about the steak doneness.