SYDNEY | Just up the road from chef Lennox Hastie’s temple to fire and smoke, Firedoor, you’ll find his more low-key wine bar, Gildas. It opened in 2022, inspired by the Basque Country, and the five years that Lennox spent living and cooking there. And, unlike Firedoor, it’s easy to get a table (half of the tables are set aside for walk in guests).
Gildas is the place to visit if you’re looking for pintxos and small plates. It’s a casual space well suited to popping in for a quick drink and a snack, or a full meal of assorted small plates. The menu features elevated Basque dishes, and creations inspired by the flavors and culinary traditions of the region, showcasing the best Australian and Spanish ingredients.
A good example of Gildas’ approach is its Rita Hayworth-inspired namesake item. Start with the classic gilda, a skewered Spanish olive, guindilla pepper and Olasagasti anchovy, before moving on to the ‘Grillda’ and the ‘Matilda’. The former features blue mackerel, pickled carrot, and finger lime; the latter charred kangaroo, native lemon, and sweet onion.
Other dishes include things like retired dairy cow tartare with rock oyster cream, and sorrel; baby corn with sobrasada and honey; and a deconstructed seasonal tortilla of sorts (oyster mushrooms were the key ingredient when I visited). Be sure to order a serve of the pimento infused house bread with smoked butter to mop up any sauces.
For sweets, it’s rotating selection of things like a tart of the day, burnt Basque cheesecake, and buffalo milk soft serve.
To drink, there’s a short Australian and Spanish wine list, with many options available by the glass and carafe, along with a few beers and cocktails. Be sure to check out the sherry list, which features red and white drops from independent distillers, as well as interesting sherries, like an ‘orange’ sherry.
Gildas
46-48 Albion Street
Surry Hills
New South Wales 2010
Australia
Telephone: (02) 8275 8285
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Sun: 7:30am to 3:30pm