On the menu: Syndicate has an interesting menu starting with entrees like bread and dips, calamari, prawns and soup of the day. There's a good range of light meals to choose from with open sandwiches, salads and pastas. Their signature main is Scotch Fillet Surf & Turf served with gourmet
potatoes, vegetables, prawns, scallops with a white wine and garlic sauce.
I'll have: The prawns for starters. It was a generous portion of prawns on a bed of lettuce. The chilli sauce it came with was really hot, just the way I like it. As a main I chose the chicken open sandwich. It was a nicely grilled chicken breast on toasted whole-grain bread served with chunky fries and salad. This light main was pretty huge.
He'll have: The chicken wings as an entree - they were well marinated and cooked perfectly. Again, it was a pretty big portion. With a few chips, it could have been a main. As a main he had the roast pork with potatoes and veges. He can be fussy with his food at times, but assured me it was very nice.
We shared: The cheesecake of the day, which was mixed berries. I also had one of those specialty coffees with whiskey and Baileys. It was the perfect way to finish.
For the adventurous: There is nothing outrageous or incredibly different on the Syndicate menu but if you feel like something with an edge, you could try the spicy sausage pizza or pasta.
To drink: The wine list is like the menu, compact and balanced. On the other side of the drinks menu you'll find the cocktails. The one I liked the look of most was the 42 Below Caipiroska. We didn't have a cocktail on the night, but I'll be back for one. I was most impressed with the warm coffee treats - that is something you don't see very often on the menu here in the Bay.
The staff were: Our barman and waiter, Brad was great, very attentive and he certainly knows his stuff. On us mentioning that the portions were so large he explained that the chef is a really big guy with big hands. It made us laugh, but I don't think Brad was joking.
The buzz: We had our dinner on a Tuesday and there were only a few other diners at the time, but I'm sure there'll be more of a buzz a little later in the week. Syndicate has a sophisticated, upmarket atmosphere complemented by a modern yet warm decor.
The verdict: Incredibly good value for money. Where else can you find a perfectly cooked three-course meal for only $34.95 and leave the restaurant full and completely satisfied? We'll definitely be back, but we'll make sure not to have a big lunch that day.
The details:
Syndicate Bar & Bistro
Address: 107 The Strand
Contact: 07 578 3543
Hours: Monday to Thursday open at 4pm. Friday from noon till late. Open for breakfast Saturday and Sunday from 10am.
Price Range: Starters: $8-$10. Pizza, pasta, salads and light mains: $16-$18. Mains: $24-$26. Deserts: $10. New at Syndicate Monday to Thursday: A three-course meal for only $34.95.