Lox Stock & Barrel

This exemplary though tiny shopfront diner channels the Big Apple via Bondi Beach. By night, all tasteful black and blonde timbers and dimly lit, it impresses with an expanded menu of accomplished small, medium and larger dishes just made for convivial sharing. Platters remove the agony of ordering, featuring chopped chicken liver, egg salad, beetroot-cured ocean trout, mackerel escabeche, dips and more. But it would be a shame to miss the likes of deftly pan-fried market fish (beautifully cooked snapper, say) with spiced carrot puree and snow pea tendrils. Slow-roasted eggplant with quinoa, pepita, basil and haloumi stuffing and Turkish-style tomato sauce is moreish enough to make carnivores reconsider the alternatives. Excellent desserts including soft chocolate ganache, and almond milk and coconut mulhalabya pudding, ensure a sharing and caring final flourish.

And … The house range of olive oil, preserves, sauces and chutneys is for sale.

THE LOW-DOWN
Vibe Relaxed but lively local deli-diner.
Best bit Confident cooking. 
Worst bit Squashing in.