A local focal point in Marrickville, D’s Bar and Dining is also a destination dining venue perfect for this whole year of the Dragon.
Today is the last day of the specially crafted Lunar Menu, however there’s a new Valentine’s Day menu, plus the classic menu filled with banging dishes. Eating at D’s means fresh, authentic (and some with a twist), delicate flavours to be enjoyed with brilliant cocktails.
We enjoyed from the Lunar menu ‘Red Pocket’ steamed Alaskan Crab & Prawn Dumpling ($15). A sophisticated elevation of the dumpling, filled to bursting with crab and prawn, wrapped in a deeply red casing. Opulent and decadent, a rich mouth-feel and perfectly balanced, we can only hope this is a regular staple on the menu.
Also from the Lunar menu, The Bossam Pork Belly, Leaves with Kimchi and Egg ($70) is sumptuous, sweet and salty. A Korean leaning with Kimchi, pork in a blanket of lettuce, dipped in 60 degree egg brings has crunch, salt and silky tones. Again, we’d eat this again, again and even again.
From the “every day” menu the absolute cracking dish is the Banh Khot’ coconut and turmeric pikelets, prawn, coconut milk with flying fish roe (df)(gf) ($29) is simply heavenly. Crunchy, fresh, slightly oily with popping flying fish roe dancing over your tongue and bouncing off the roof of your mouth – is a dream of a dish. We would drive a few hundred miles for this one. A Friday night could not be more improved than a single glass of Punt Road Chardonnay ($15 btg) and D’s Banh Knot.
You should also try the ‘Beef Pho Tartar’ Phoenix M8 Wagyu, broth jelly, basil, shallot (gf)(df) and rice cracker ($28) is an orchestra of flavours. From the gently pho flavoured jelly to the creaminess of the wagyu – this is must try for the uniqueness and intelligence in the twist of a classic.
The ‘Banh Xeo’ coconut and turmeric crepe, onion, bean sprouts (df)(gf)(vgo) ($21) with prawns ($10), is the thinner, taller brother of the Banh Khot, and it’s mouth-watering (even thinking about it as I’m writing these words has me drooling like a Labrador).
Overall, the experience at D’s is multilayered and brings a vibe from the city into the inner west. The food, cocktails, rich and tactile décor mixed with the syncopated styles of the Jazz band playing on a Friday and Saturday night, delivers more than just a quick meal out – it’s completely uplifted adventure into Vietnamese and Asian cuisine.
D’s Shop 1 359 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville
Tuesday: 10 am – 3:30 pm
Wednesday – Thursday: 10 am – 3 pm; 5 pm – 10 pm
Fri – Sat: 10 am – 3pm; 5 pm – 10:30 pm
Sun: 10 am – 3pm; 5 pm – 9 pm
