The Fern, Redfern

The Boy and I rustled up another meal deal voucher and headed down to The Fern (in RedFERN) for a lazy Friday night dinner.

You'd expect a cafe that's in the heart of Redfern to be noisy, bustling, and buzzing with the sound of traffic from busy Cleveland Street which is just 20 meters down the road. But The Fern is anything but...I honestly cannot think of a more relaxing evening than our dinner at The Fern. We sat out on the huge front terrace as the sun set over Sydney, enjoyed a cocktail, some great food and let the stresses of the week just drop from our shoulders.

Delicious Ferna Rossa - Aperol, burnt orange and vanilla syrup, grapefruit bitters and lemon juice.

The Fern has a pretty good reputation for doing a killer weekend brunch, but I'm really impressed with their dinner menu - a mix of Latin American inspired tapas dishes and a few mains that can easily be shared. The food has a decidedly rustic, homey feel to it, with so many of the elements being made in-house...it felt a bit like going to someones house out in the bush and being fed home-made pickles, cheeses and sauces. We felt miles away from the inner city.  LOVE!!!!

Dinner kicks off with some Pickles and Olives (normally $5) and a serve of Olive Bread (normally $5). The vegetables are all pickled in house and right up my alley - deliciously vinegary with the veggies still having a nice crunch to them.

I LOVED the Cuban Corn ($5.00) that came topped with a house-made White Cheese (is there anything these guys can't make) and a jalapeno and garlic butter (I betcha that's house-made too). I've gone a bit of a Mexican corn-making bender at home, but what I churn out cannot compare with this.

Next is some lovely House-cured Sardines on Toast ($11.00) that came with a (house-made of course) horseradish cream and capers.  When I think of sardines I think of those horrible stinky canned-fish that my Dad used to eat, and that I used to gag over. Needless to say I was thrilled when these fresh sardines came out, light in flavour and not oily at all.  The (house-made) Falafel ($8.00) served in a little wedge of pita is simple yet tasty.

Whilst The Boy chowed down on a Wagyu Oxtail Empanadas ($8.00) I enjoyed a unexpectedly spicy, yet surprisingly refreshing, Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho ($6.00).  I've not had much experience with "cold soup" so I was happy that this was so delicious.

After all these scrumptious starters we arrive at the main event - Homemade Gnocchi with Mushroom Sauce ($19.00) Peas and Parmesan cheese. This was SOOOO good - we literally licked the plate clean - stellar dish!  I'd love to be able to make something like this at home...even just knocking out a sauce this delicious would make me a happy camper.  Attempting home-made pasta would probably send me to the nut house - but I reckon I could handle a sauce...but HOW to make it? Help please!

What amazing meal is complete without an amazing dessert. After my first foray into the world of Churros ($13.00) a few weeks ago I was delight to see this plate placed in front of me (not in front of The Boy which means I shouldn't have had to share, right)? The Churros were pipping hot, crispy and delicious and sat atop a lusciously sweet, foamy dulce de leche (like a sweet milk sauce) and dusted with crushed pistachios. YUM!

The Fern is at 4 Pitt Street, Redfern.  Phone them on 8399 007.