Rose of Australia Hotel, Erskineville

This was our first time to the Rose of Australia, and it was obvious it has gone a recent refurb with a trendy purple and chocolate brown colour scheme and a focus on stylish yet comfy. Even though it was a Sunday night, the place was buzzing with yuppy locals.

Upstairs the "fine dining" area was all crisp white tablecloths, mood lighting and even deer antlers on walls. The food was excellent--the lamb was tender and flavoursome although we couldn't detect much ginger in the barramundi ginger and soy sauce.

Service was generally excellent with ice water served immediately (such a rare thing in Sydney) and when we had to remind our waiter of our waylaid side of fries, it was soon presented with apologies with a promise it would be courteously removed from the bill (it was).

The signature dessert is the chocolate slut--a diabetic's nightmare of chocolate dipped marshmallows, chocolate mousse, chocolate tart, Belgian chocolate ice cream and a chocolate creme brulee. By the end of it we felt bloated, dirty and guilt-ridden--and by this we guess it lived up to its moniker!

Well-presented food cooked to detail, I would definitely come back here again.


Barramundi in ginger and soy


Sirloin with roasted whole eschalots on mash with red wine reduction


Lamb rack marinated in merlot, garlic and rosemary


Mango creme brulee with caramelised mango cheek


The infamous chocolate slut

The Rose of Australia
1 Swanson Street, Erskineville
Tel: 02 9565 1441