Specialising in Middle Eastern mezza, Darlinghurst's Almond Bar is a smart, intimate restaurant that's all about sharing a meal, not just sharing food. Nibble on dishes made lovingly in the Syrian tradition, an interesting twist on the Lebanese flavours Sydneysiders are familiar with. The dining room itself is cosy, its white painted brick walls offset by timber beams and low-hanging copper lights. A relaxing place to meet friends.
Owned and run by Carol Salloum, whose mother and sister do all the cooking, Almond Bar specialises in mezza which is like the Middle Eastern take on tapas. The idea is the same: social eating and drinking without the formality of a meal, the point being to relax and enjoy yourself. Everything about this place seems to have a diminutive theme – little food on little plates, little glasses on little tables, and a little, intricately decorated dining room that seats only about 45 people. Almonds, of course, also play a major role. The green and brown colour scheme reflects the almond's life cycle, and different kinds of almonds are available for purchase by the bag.
Upon arrival your table will receive a complimentary plate of sugared or spiced almonds to nibble at, and you'll most probably get a few chocolate-coated nuts with your bill as well, plus they make an appearance quite a few times on the (again, little) menu. The menu offers around 10 dips and 20 mezza, plus a bunch of yummy Middle Eastern sweets. There are tasting plates that are well-suited for group dining, including an almond, meat and seafood feast. Sumbusic is a house specialty, a traditional pastry filled with lamb, onion and pine nuts; and you'll be pleased to know that most of the herbs are home-grown, as are the vine leaves the dolmades are wrapped in. Match it with one of the many cocktails, or enjoy a traditional Middle Eastern coffee with a delightfully sweet filo-wrapped lady's arm.
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