Food Society, Darlinghurst

Food Society is another of those places that has long been on my wishlist, but I just never got around to visiting. Too many restaurants, too little time - the day job gets in the way of so many of my eating dreams.  That same day job however always allows me to buy a good voucher deal when I see it land my inbox. Which is how we finally ended up checking out Food Society in Darlinghurst.

The food at Food Society has a distinct Eastern European leaning so it's little surprise we've arrived to try a Vodka High Tea - not a champagne flute, mini sandwich or cupcake in sight. Our High Tea kicks of with a Lychee + Rose Vodka that tastes like cordial. I demolish my share in seconds.

This place reminds me a lot of The Victoria Rooms. I love the comfortable, romantic decor - every nook and cranny has some quirky, interesting nic nack to admire.  The dark lighting makes photography hard but it sure is romantic...and just a tad girly.  The Boy handles it pretty well though.

Our high tea kicks off with a pretty plate loaded with Savoury Canapés. Everything is perfectly bite sized and perfectly delicious - with flavours and textures that meld perfectly with one another. Everything on the plate has a definite Eastern European leaning to it.

We have (clockwise from top left): croquette of confit duck with horseradish cream and smoked paprika; ocean trout roe Jerusalem artichoke tartlet; spiced lentil salad in witlof (I love the bitterness of the witlof); blini of vodka and beetroot cured ocean trout and burek cigar of Bulgarian feta, spinach and ouzo.

After we've quickly inhaled our plate of daintiness it's time for the Substantial Canapé - a (not very Eastern European, though very tasty) mini brioche slider of poached chicken, walnut and celery mayonnaise, fresh apple and celery leaf with a petit side salad of watercress, tomato and shaved baby radish.

Oooh, is it time for the Sweet Canapés already? Excellent! We start off with a luscious mini lime meringue pie which was my favourite of the sweet canapés (I loved the tartness of the lemon). We also enjoyed a little glass of coffee cream with housemade honeycomb and The Boy's favourite, ricotta doughnuts with lemon sugar and amaretto honey.

I really enjoyed the Vodka High Tea at Food Society - it was definitely something different in what I think has become a bit of a "same same" type of afternoon tea experience. The food was different to the high teas I've been to before and I'd love to come back here and explore their dinner menu.  Eastern European food is perfect for the cooler months that I hope are just around the corner!

Food Society is 91 Riley Street (Lower Ground Floor), Darlinghurst.  Call them on 8090 3462.