Sydney

The Rook – Sydney CBD

Did you know lobsters was once considered to be peasant food? Now they are like seafood royalty. At The Rook, you will find lobster everything – risotto, salad, roll, lettuce cups, croquettes.

But before you get to dive into crustacean-y goodness, you have to find The Rook. It’s located on the 7th level of an office building on 56 York Street. Enter through the sliding doors and ride the elevators up.

Make sure you book ahead as this spot is very popular with nearby office workers at night. After we were seated, I started with a Peroni ($7) and KZ had a cocktail named Down the Rabbit Hole ($19) – a colourful concoction.

Having already drooled at the menu the night before, I knew I had to get the lobster risotto ($27). KZ went with the lobster roll ($25), which was packed to the top with chunks of lobster. My risotto was also very generous in the lobster department. Hidden underneath the rice were big pieces of perfectly cooked lobster. The crispy seaweed was more than a garnish as it provided a nice crunchy texture to the dish.

A few weeks later, I returned to The Rook with a colleague for a quick lunch. During lunch time there’s less of a crowd, so it’s great option if you work nearby and want to escape the food courts. We both picked the Uncle Sam ($22) burger which comes with a side of truffle fries.

The Wagyu patty was cooked medium rare, as it should be. The cheese was thoroughly melted blanketing the beef. The pickles, which were perched on top of the burger, added a nice touch of acidity to cut through the richness of the burger.

The thick, hand cut fries were seasoned well and accompanied by a flavourful truffle sauce.

The Rook is a hidden gem boasting an impressive array of lobster dishes and burgers. It has an equally impressive bar with kooky cocktails, as well as my normal beers and wines.

Good: Lobster galore cooked well, interesting cocktails

Bad: Long waits in the evening

Perfect for: Small groups, casual date night & after work drinks

Price: $$