Hidden in an alleyway so mysterious even a search on Google maps won’t help you, Grasshopper is a little haven in the centre of the Sydney CBD joining the small bar trend. You can find it in Temperance Lane, just off George street, in between RM Williams and Oakley shopfronts and not too far from the giant Apple store.
Grasshopper was no accidental concoction, created by Marty, Bel and Toubs – the same masterminds behind establishments such as The Lincoln, A Tavola, and more recently the 7metre pop up bar, they too are supporting Sydney’s laneway projects and adding that touch of ghetto chic culture into our otherwise commercially dull metropolitan. You’ll find the entrance when you see the splay of green grass across the top of the door like a putt putt golf course. A casual restaurant upstairs, a dark cosy cocktail bar downstairs led by one of Sydney’s finest drink fixer John Toubia.
We headed to Grasshopper for a casual Friday work lunch. The menu is simple (entree, mains, salads and sides – all 3 items each) and great combination of hearty and healthy options.
A bottle of Pinot Grigio arrives and we start with the pork and parsley terrine as a shared entree. It was rusticly textured, with shredded and chunky pork meat well supported by its flavourful jelly and served with minced gerkins and parsley aioli. Generous slices of freshly grilled sourdough with olive oil makes this a pleasure to share.
For mains, I personally craved for the steak au poivre (the aroma of it was the first thing that hits you when you walk down Temperance Lane) but decided on the more waistline friendly quinoa salad. The salads are availabe in both entree and main sizes, the main served with grilled chicken, drizzled with a deliciously delicate pesto.
The ‘Prawn cocktail’ (also under the salad section) chosen by Megan was freshly delightful and great value, a more modern twist of a prawn cocktail that the usual cocktail sauce and avocado in a glass with prawn tails hanging off the edge. It is wholesomely deconstructed to a dish freshly grilled king prawns, butter lettuce, avocado puree and salsa which would shine even more with a stronger citrus note.
The lamb was just magnificent! A lamb trio of the chop, the rump and a third part that I did not have a bite of, it was thoroughly enjoyed by Henny with plenty of “would you like some potatoes with that butter and cream” mash. The meat falls apart and melts wonderfully with the mash, accompanied with green peas and a dark gravy of its natural juices.
We had our hearts set on the selection of cheeses and a chocolate pistachio tart for dessert, but the best comes to those who wait. We’ll be back in the evening next time! And we’re looking forward to try Johnny’s cocktails (all of them).
Grasshopper
Temperance Lane, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 9947 9025
Open 12pm – 1am Monday to Fridays (Saturday available for functions)
Hey, great blog and post. I love it. So good to have a small bar culture growing in Sydney.
Having a map on the post would be great too.
Thanks Mick! You can click on the map link which is below the phone number on the bottom of the post
I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
That’s a sneaky little grasshopper. Read something recently about how Sydney is becoming more like Melbourne even as Melbourne takes on certain more crass aspects of Sydney…could really do with more little wall-holes.
How’d you hear about this place? Also, MapPress does a mean little map plugin for WP…
Hi, colleague! I like your blog, it’s so interesting! I think it’s pretty popular, isn’t it?
Such a sweet place
Simple menu with great food
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
we need more bars like this to fill those dodgy lane ways of Sydney
EVERYONE knows about this place now… no longer a secret
Great photos and review on the food. I can’t wait to go there and devour the lamb dish!
Love the recycled 70 Furniture and vegemite jars.
You are right about the Farmer Jo Museli, me and my wife bought it at Eveligh Markets, we are both Italian and we never eat Museli, but we were very impressed, we got the chocolate and orange one
PS. love the small bar blogs alos, from Milano so very fond of small bars
The meals that you had look great! I’m def heading back there again to try out more of the menu. The prawn cocktail in particular. I got severe food envy watching it being grilled and plated in front of me. Unfortunately, you can only fit so much in your stomach at any one time.
I love these new bars that are popping up all over Sydney at the moment. Grasshopper has such a great vibe, great food and the necessary quirky touches like the jam jars.
The steak au poivre is off the menu despite the reassurance from staff that it was a permanent item. What a shame! A waitress informed me the chef needed a change and was tired of cooking the same old steak – oh come on! Do you see Rockpool Bar & Grill removing their famous Wagyu chuck from the menu? – NO! because customers go there specifically to eat their steak. Bring it back Grasshopper please