66 Hunter Street
Sydney
NSW 2000
http://www.rockpool.com/sydney/bar-and-grill/
Good place to take a date:
10/10
Waltz into the Art Deco interior of Rockpool and feel like you walked onto a film set as you cross the expansive hall to your table. Be ushered in by the flawlessly friendly staff who will soon have you feeling settled in. You might need a map to navigate the enormous menu, but at least it ensures something to please everyone, be it a juicy burger, freshly pressed pasta, or a more elegant dish. Rockpool certainly isn’t a cheap option for Sydney dating, but the luxurious setting of the glistening hanging glasses and marble pillars ensures you’re in for a special evening. And once you’ve got your teeth into one of the divine dishes from the menu, you’ll understand the price tag.
Good place to meet for a first date:
10/10
Whether you have a soft spot for cocktails or fancy yourself as a bit of a wine connoisseur, you might easily spend an evening watching the ebb and flow of the restaurant from the vantage point of the bar. Enjoy a few tipples here to span out the evening if the first date is going better than expected, although you might find it hard to resist an all-out three course meal sampling the sumptuous menu selection. Be engulfed by the awesome atmosphere of rich smells from the kitchen, the chorus of happy diners chatting away, and the professional staff floating from table to table. It will give you plenty of points for conversation that is sure to fill your first date in Sydney with things to talk about.
Rockpool Sydney
Average age:
An array of ages, occasions and groups melt into the warm buzz of Rockpool in a harmony of food love that brings people together. The fabulous staff have a passion for the menu and wine list that is sure to rub off on your Sydney date; they can help craft a special occasion if you let them know in advance! You aren’t likely to stick out like a sore thumb if you dress either up or down here, the size of this impressive hall creates an intimate anonymity that can make you feel alone together despite the busy workings of the restaurant.
Time of review:
Book in advance to avoid disappointment, especially on weekends. Having recently reopened after a fire in April, Rockpool is busier than ever with diners eager to satisfy the craving for their burgers and cocktails. A loyal customer base integrates nicely with the tourists and Sydney dating scene to ensure the restaurant is packed throughout the calendar.
Average cost of a meal and a drink:
Fine food and drink doesn’t come cheap; Rockpool’s motif borrows the quote “the cornerstone of good cooking is to source the finest produce”, but you can really taste the difference in even the most basic of dishes. However, this won’t ease the blow to the bank balance if you decide to go all-out on a 3 course meal on your Sydney date. With mains coming in at anything from $25-$55, it’s one to reserve for that special someone that you really want to win over.
Type of cuisine:
Rockpool’s menu rolls a variety of cuisines into one, too-good-to-choose-from menu selection. Including everything from lobster to beef and Guinness pie, you’ll find a good excuse to plan your next date just to come back for seconds. Leave room for dessert if you don’t mind loosening the belt a notch; the sweet treats really are the icing on the cake.
Final word:
An expensive but worth-it restaurant in the heart of Sydney, Rockpool has a winning combination of fine food, drink and service that sets it at the top of the league for Sydney dating. A dazzling setting for the first date or a fantastic location for a special celebration, Rockpool is a proven people pleaser for the whole spectrum of the dating scene.