Darling & Co

Darling & Co is Paddington’s chic garden themed foodie oasis, comprising a sleek modern open plan restaurant, bar and funky function rooms.

Cool sub-tropical décor of hanging ferns, sheer curtains, green leaf patterned banquettes and wall art with rainbow lorikeets and turquoise dining booths give Darling & Co a quintessentially Queensland vibe as does the menu, which showcases the best of fresh local and sustainable produce.

In fact there are few better places in the inner city ring to stop and indulge in a casual yet delectable and exquisitely presented lunch or dinner, for both locals and visitors alike. Oysters, house smoked ocean trout, Noosa spanner crab, Sunshine coast yellow fin tuna and Mooloolaba prawns are some of the stars of the menu here at Darling and Co, as is Darling Downs wagyu, while bread is baked locally at one of Brisbane’s best bakeries Crust and Co.

To Start, options include Chorizo and Manchego croquettes, Zucchini Flowers, Market Oysters with finger lime and the highly recommended dainty yellow fin tuna tacos with radish, jalapeno and coriander and the Sumer Vegetables (with charred onion, house-made labneh and nasturtium).

Small Plates range from melt-in-the-mouth Tasmanian Ocean Trout with horseradish, sorrel and poached hen’s eggs to Banh Mi Sliders and Vanella Burrata, moving up to a small range of house Pizzas include Margarita, Crispy Pancetta or Pork and Fennel Sausage (with gluten free bases available).

Mains on offer include Cone Bay Barramundi, Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi with peas, oyster mushrooms and truffle marscapone, Cape Grim Fillet, Roasted Spatchcock with green chilli and preserved lemon or House Tagliatelle (braised Darling Downs wagyu brisket with tomato and pecorino romano, with Sides to accompany such as Fries, Broccoli or Mixed Leaf with sherry vinaigrette.

Desserts at Darling and Co range from delicious to spectacular and include Dark Chocolate Tart with hazelnut ice-cream, Summer Stone Fruits Fool, and the house signature dessert – the Raspberry and Coconut Bombe Alaska.

The comprehensive wine list comprises unique boutique varietals from Australia, French, Italian and Spanish leading wine regions and has a playful (and informative) theme to it. Whites are categorized into Crisp, Floral and Aromatic; Tropical, Ripe and Fruit Driven and Plush and Textural With Body, while Reds are Feminine, Supple and Plush; Fresh, Lively and Mineral; Voluptuous and Broadly or Dark, Driving, Powerful. Otherwise there’s a small selection of Spanish and Victorian Sparkling Wine, Victorian, French and Spanish Rose (Pink) and even an Amber: Smallfry Tangerine Dream from South Australia.

The menu may have changed since our visit.

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