The Meat & Wine Co., Darling Harbour

The Meat & Wine Co. restaurant has always been here from my earliest memories, located under the great IMAX theatre at the southern end of Cockle Bay Wharf/Darling Harbour. Despite know of its existence, I had never visited this restaurant until recently when a visiting relative was eager to try authentic Australian steak following a recommendation via a local guide book.

Outside of Restaurant

Fortunately I was able to book a table two days prior, despite booking for a very busy Saturday night during the spectacular Sydney Vivid festival - although we were given a limited dining time slot (6:30pm - 8:15pm).

Top Left: Inside of Restaurant
Bottom Left: Menu
Above: Stairwell Leading to Landing
Platform Where Table was Located

Interestingly, we were given a (random) table located on a landing platform between the ground and first floor of the restaurant, which I thought was rather awkward as other customers and staff would occasionally walk up or down the stairs as we were eating. However, it gave us a direct view of the Vivid lights display directly outside the restaurant (perhaps courtesy of our booking in advance).

View from Table

After much debate, we decided on various steak/rib options:

Full Rack of Pork Ribs with Chips ($59)

The pork ribs were flavoursome but lacked any excess sauce to dip the chips in. Also, I was sort of disappointed as I couldn't eat it with a knife and fork - the pork didn't fall off the bone (probably because it wasn't braised before it was grilled, like at other restaurants) - so I ended up having to use my fingers to eat the ribs.

Rib-Eye with Side Salad
(350g; Monte Grain Select; Grain-Fed 120 days; $43)

The rib-eye was cooked perfectly to medium-rare - even PappaBear, who is normally really picky about the chew-ability of his steaks, was happy with it.

Wagyu New Yorker with Mashed Potato
(300g; Monte Black;450D, MB 6+)

I'm not quite sure which cut a 'New Yorker' steak is from (according to Wikipedia, a new york cut is from the short loin) but the wagyu was soft and just melted in your mouth.

Dry Aged Rib-Eye on the Bone with Side Salad
(400g; Monte Free Range; Pasture-Fed 120 days; $52)

This was my first experience of tasting dry-aged meat and it. was. awesome! I never knew meat could ever taste this good - the flavour from the dry-aged rib-eye was much more intense than the regular rib-eye steak and the meat was so tender. This dish was definitely the highlight of the meal.

Top View of Table

Overall, the dinner party was impressed by quality of food - and matching (high) prices - although it was considered good value by my relative, considering that steak of the same grade/quality in her native city is significantly more expensive and hard (or impossible) to find. The Meat & Wine Co. is definitely somewhere to try once in a while on special occasions, as your wallet will take a hit and feel significantly lighter after a meal here.