Odd Culture

One of Sydney's most exciting new restaurant / bar combo in the heart of Newtown, Odd Culture boasts an excellent wine list and one of the best value banquets I have had. When stepping into the space, the lofty ceilings immediately transport you away from the bustling, slightly crowded streets of Newtown. 

The anchovy cigars caught our eye, so we ordered some in addition to the generously portioned set menu. Crispy, delicate and savoury, the already complex flavours of anchovies are enhanced further by the addition of olive and taramasalata. 

Anchovy cigars, $7 each

The house bread is curiously named "beer bread". It is a house baked sourdough with house butter, which is rich and generously sprinkled with coarse sea salt. The fluffy bread is a wonderful start to the meal - especially if you're also washing the food down with a couple of cocktails. 

As a refreshing first course, disks of cucumber is tossed in silky preserved tofu and salted chilli. The contrasting textures certainly works a treat. 

Next, chicken liver pate with home-made potato chips. This dish is to die for, particularly the fish sauce caramel at the bottom. Trust me, you would not want to waste even one drop - so keep some of that house bread handy. 

Now, onto the octopus. Chopped into little chunks, they are cooked in red pepper brown butter and served with potatoes and capers. The octopus is fresh and not chewy in the least, and the flavours work wonderfully well together. 

Now, if you are like me, and hold the view that "how good can a salad get?", then this salad will surprise you. Crunchy, fresh, slightly salty sweet, this cabbage salad is like no other salad I have ever tried. It is salty from the feta, sweet with a gentle kick from the honey mustard, and fragrant from dill. 

Now, the main. The roast chicken - the best chicken I have ever had, hands down. The meat is so tender even the breast can be easily pulled apart with a spoon. Served with togarashi and chicken fat congee, it is the kind of comforting, decadent, satisfying food that transports you to a little hut in the countryside. 

Finally, dessert time. Though we were already groaning with satisfaction, the desserts are absolutely wonderful. In particular, the blanc tiramisu is fresh, soft, and surprisingly light. 

The semifreddo with black sesame sticks to the Asian dessert tradition of being "not too sweet", with the sesame being particularly fragrant. 

Score: 5/5
Price: approx $100pp 
Address: 266 King St, Newtown NSW
Website: https://oddculture.group/venue/odd-culture-newtown/