As we enter RAFI, rows of red peppers are roasting over the charcoal grill. They look like a daisy chain of Chinese celebratory lanterns. It’s enough to erase the memory that moments earlier we were walking up tiled steps, past the pretty tangerine coloured sun umbrellas, and outside seating that invite you to kick back, have a spritz and relax. We are warmly greeted and are seated towards the far end of the restaurant, we can’t stop thinking about it – we want that dish that has those peppers in it, they look devine.
In fact everything at RAFI looks so beautiful you just want to hug it or take it home with you. The green sofas, wooden tables with interesting chairs with woven string backs. It’s feminine, homely with soft lines and a soft pastel palette. The kitchen almost runs the length of the restaurant. It’s more like a stage with a play of characters weaving in and out of the space. Our recommendation is to grab the front row high tables set opposite and watch the story unfold as overhead, oversize, round paper lanterns hang bob in the breeze from the open doors.
Now, we have heard great things about RAFI. It’s no surprise as over the years we have covered every launch and enjoyed watching the family-run Applejack group grow and mature. There is magic not only in the kitchens of their restaurants (looking at you grilled prawns at Bopp & Tone, or those morish tacos at SoCal), chat to the staff and they too are happy to be working for a restaurant group that cares about them.
Culinary director, Patrick Friesen (ex Merivale) casts his magic here; setting the seafood and sustainable scene which sets Rafi apart, whilst Matias Cilloniz, joins the from cooking in Peru as executive head chef.
It’s an on trend menu spanning breads & dips, raw, vegetables, seafood and meat along with dessert. We order from each category. First up is a bowl of hummus. Inside the perfectly styled curved sphere is a deep well, brimming with crispy chickpea & green chilli. It’s a dish that if you were at home you would probably dunk your fingers in and lick them like a toddler with glee! Instead we rip up a just puffed wholemeal steamy pitta bread which is far too small for the amount of hummus, so we order a second. There isn’t a whisper of garlicy, fluffy, creamy stuff left. It’s a flavour bomb.
Chunks of South Coast tuna is like biting into chunks of butter with a savoury unaminess contrasted by tomato, tahini & fragrant chilli oil $28). Slithered almonds and seseme seeds really help each spoonful to pop. If you have any bread left, (we are struggling) the dressing with the tahini at the base is beautifully balanced.
Any fans of Spice Temple’s signature fragrant eggplant won’t be able to help themselves – this plate of eggplant is delicious with a chilli spice kick, but doesn’t quite hit the crispy notes, losing its texture due to it’s organic honey friends. It’s enjoyable but with a few tweaks could nail the texture.
South Coast Octopus 
Our dish of South Coast Octopus
Two glasses of Sometimes Always Prosecco ($12) at this point is welcomed to balance our palates for the mains. No two octopus are alike, but our plate was devoid of any meaty juicy tendrils, our tiny ends were quite dry. The dish was served cold but we did finally get to try those delicious red peppers which have been grilled together with delicious chilli, oregano & lemon ($30). Maybe we hit it on a bad day, but for us, this was a miss given there was not much to eat and the bigger tendrils were cut in half. It really lost the joy of fleshy sumptuousness.
Well, hello chicken! Now this is a magnificent dish ($38). You know it’s great when there is one piece left and you ask your dining partner “Is that yours?” when you really, really want it. It’s perfectly cooked with spring onions & broad beans. The skin is Ibiza bronzed and the flesh is moist, generous and juicy. Just add half a head of roasted baby cauliflower with romesco and a shower of parmesan fluff and we are in heaven.
RAFI is a spot for all seasons, but it really comes to life when the sun is shining with so many outdoor spots to chillax. So grab a chair, soak in the atmosphere with a team who are attentive, knowledgeable and really want to make your experience the best it can be. The food is great, the venue is stunning and it may just be your reason to visit North Sydney, when nothing else will convince you too!
RAFI Sydney – https://rafisydney.com.au/
99 Mount Street, North Sydney, 2060
HOURS: Mon – Tues: 11:30am – 11:30pm, Wed – Sat: 1:30am – midnight
