Having read positive reviews about this place, The Pot Food & Wine has been on my “to eat” list for quite some time. Upon booking a table, I was told there were two evening dining sessions, one at 6pm and the other at 8pm. This indicated to me that this place had something going for it.

Of the reviews that I have read, I was of the impression that this place served French and modern Australian food, however, last night’s menu had offerings that were of a strong Asian influence. The menu was straight forward with a small selection of tapas items, large plates (mains), larger plates (for 2 or more) and Pot Buns (their version of sliders). They also have a tasting menu for $68 which gives you 3 tapas dishes, 3 mains and dessert at their choosing.

We decided to have dinner at the 6pm twilight session. Within an hour, it went from a relaxed atmosphere with a small group of after work drinkers to a full house that was considerably vibrant. The polished concrete floors and the low hanging light fittings give this place an industrial feel. The venue is not particularly large, but it’s well layed out and has a pleasant casual vibe about it.

For dinner, we decided to order 4 tapas dishes to share.

The first dish was the Thai Beef Tartare with yuzu aioli, quail egg and wonton chips. This dish came out 10 minutes after ordering and was unique in presentation.

The cylindrical tower of raw meat was heavily seasoned with coriander and chilli. The buttery texture of the quail egg yolk worked well to subdue the over powering flavour of the coriander. The pickled cucumber slices were tangy, and combined with the crisp wonton chips, provided a nice crunchy texture.

The next three tapas dishes all came out at the same time.

The Crispy Duck Spring Roll came with a hoisin and black vinegar dressing. It was wrapped in a lettuce leaf containing coriander and spring onions to be eaten like San Choy Bow.

The duck meat was tender and succulent, while the skin was slightly on the chewy side. It was nicely marinated and enclosed in what looked to be a firm yet delicated spring roll pastry. The vegetables were fresh and crisp, and the sweet and slightly bitter dressing added nice depth to the dish.

The Pepper Crusted Barramundi Wing was cooked with soy, chilli and shallots. This is a classic Asian ingredient combination that my parents regularly cook at home. The skin was crisp and the fish was perfectly cooked. This dish was executed perfectly.

The Crispy Fried Chicken came with a Korean red dragon sauce, cucumber, coriander and lime. The chicken had a slightly soggy coating with a firm yet crunchy interior. It was moderately spiced with a subtle afterburn. The coriander was fresh, the cucumber added a nice crunchy texture, and there were notes of zest from the lime.

The staff were friendly and the service was fast and efficient. Drinks arrived promptly, meals arrived on time and plates were cleared as we finished. The atmosphere went from relaxed to vibrant, but that was expected for a busy Friday night.

The tapas dishes range from $9-$28 and come with different serving sizes. The four tapas dishes we ordered came to a total of $55, which is just under $14 each. Some might consider this a bit pricey when it comes to tapas standards. The mains range from $18.50-$36, while the even larger dishes are both $58.

The menu is well thought out and the food is of a very good quality. Combine that with great service and vibrant atmosphere, and you really have a winner.

WHERE: Shop 2, 160 King William Rd, Hyde Park