Modern Australian$$
Eat well and feel good doing it. That's the take-home message here at this Surry Hills newcomer, where the onus is on putting people before profit. Folonomo is an abbreviation of For Love Not Money, a project backed by financier Matthew Byrne that sends 100 per cent of the restaurant's takings back to not-for-profit organisations.
Set in an old terrace, the restaurant has an almost institutional, industro-schoolroom feel, where brushed metal and bare brick meet intricate pressed plaster ceilings. Conversely, the adjoining cafe Gratia – part of the same project – looks more like the inside of a futuristic Woody Allen-designed spaceship.
The menu's all pretty share-friendly stuff, executed by chef Jo Ward alongside Michelle Powell. All you food nerds in the room will remember Ward from her time at Paddington bistro Vincent.
The truly devout will probably recall her from as far back as Newtown fun diner Bloodwood. Before that, she was at fine diner Claude's (RIP). And if you knew that last bit, I'll just hand over the reins now.
There's a big emphasis on grains and seeds here, often used as a hero ingredient rather than a textural value-add. Vegetarians can now officially throw their hands in the air and wave them like they just don't care (about meat).
A risotto of sunflower seeds see the kernels release a sweet, almost nutty starch, crunched up with sprouts and finished with slices of charred asparagus.
Further vego excellence can be found with the roast carrots and pearl onion petals enriched with blobs of yoghurt. Though if you, like me, thoroughly enjoy the meats, you'll use the dish as a support act to the exceptional hanger steak.
Here, thick scarlet slices of the flavour-packed cut are served on a bed of farro and sauteed king brown mushrooms, bathed in mushroom-rich pan juices – it's a massive tidal wave of umami-osity.
Yep, Ward's not afraid to bring out the big guns, busting out with a thick slice of kouign-amann (say it like "queen amarn", and think of the classic Breton dessert as something akin to a giant croissant cake). All that buttery, sugary richness is cut by a daub of lemon curd and bittersweet poached cherries, made all the more outrageous with a giant scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Woof.
No licence currently means bringing your own ($10 corkage) but that's cool – immerse yourself in Surry Hillbillydom by ordering an apple-flavoured kombucha and asking them to turn up Grizzly Bear while you're here.
THE LOW-DOWN
Pro tip These guys don't take bookings for tables under six but a walk-in pre-7pm is a pretty safe bet
Try this The kouign amann is a face-sized croissant cake with a cherry on top
Like this? Jesuit-run Two Wolves Cantina offers feel-good eats and drinks in an ultra-casual setting; 202 Broadway, Ultimo.
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