Carlisle Castle Bistro, Newtown

Tucked down the backstreets of Newtown, the Carlisle Castle isn't known to many, but is dear to the hearts of locals, who appreciate its low-key unadorned charm ahead of the trendier pubs on the main drag. The enormous marble bar in the front, transported from Italy in the early 1900s, is quietly impressive, but the overall mood is unashamedly casual with patrons largely made up of students, labourers and (in the bistro) young local families.


Chicken and avocado burger $13.50
with lime aioli and chips

We were reasonably keen to eat at the bistro after hearing that Ross Godfrey, owner of Oscillate Wildly and The Codfather, had recently taken the reins. Truth be told, we didn't find any significantly alluring dishes on the menu although I was impressed to see the chef in the kitchen attacking a huge side of fresh tuna--a gorgeous crimson colour--slicing it into thick steaks for the Special of the Day tuna nicoise salad.

The Cricketer gives two big thumbs up to the chicken and avocado burger which arrives with a huge mound of chips. The chicken is, shock horror, real chicken fillet, juicy seared chunks with tantalising grill markings. There's a delicate fan of avocado and even a slice of dinkum Aussie beetroot.


Roasted pork belly and crispy noodles $19.50
on Asian green salad with light soy, ginger and sesame seed oil

I had a feeling that the Punter would pick the roasted pork belly. The dish arrives nothing like I imagined (I was expecting Chinese style roast pork with crackling and a bed of deep-fried thick wheat noodles) but the Punter is happy.


Beer battered flathead with salad, tartare sauce and lemon $15.00

I opt for the beer battered flathead, forgoing the usual chips for a compromise of salad. The batter isn't as light as I'd hoped, but I'm impressed by the freshness of the fish, which is firm and sweet with a few tell-tale bones.

So the Carlisle Castle hasn't gone all upmarket with menu trickery, but seems to be continuing its focus on pub grub using honest quality produce. And that sound is all its regular patrons giving a huge sigh of relief.


Carlisle Castle Bistro
19 Albermarle St, Newtown, Sydney
(off Australia Street, near corner of Chelmsford Street)
Tel: +61 (02) 9557 4852

Lunch:
Thursday to Saturday 12pm-3pm
Sunday 12pm-4pm

Dinner:
Monday to Saturday 6pm-9.30pm
Sunday 6pm-8.30pm

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Newtown--Oscillate Wildly (Feb 06)
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Newtown--Oscillate Wildly (Jan 05)
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