Fix St James

Sardines w/ Tomato & Bread Salad

It’s been a long time between breakfast and dinner!

Having had such a great experience with their breakfast menu, it was an easy decision to come back to try out Fix St James for dinner. I just don’t know why it took me so long –

So I finally made my way there on a chilly, windy Friday night to meet one of my closest friends for a bit of a catch up dinner.

Cosy, elegant and low key – Fix St James looks like somewhere I’d love to go to for a casual Friday night after-work drink and a chat – and there are a couple of tables that look like they’re doing just that. In fact, during Happy Hour (5-6pm) – you’re treated to a free aperitif!

I wish I worked in the city…!

Immediately after sitting I was overwhelmed by the huge blackboard adorning the wall. Luckily, Fix’s friendly proprietor Stuart Knox was quick to hand us a printed sheet with the most recently updated menu. Still, it took us quite a while to pick what to eat!

Meanwhile, Stuart was kind enough to help me pick a glass of wine to go with my meal. As a quiet note – as someone who clearly knows jack all about wine – it was nice having someone knowledgeable and friendly to help out without feeling condescended to (which is often the experience elsewhere). (by the way, the wine was great)

Scallop w/ Salsa

For Entrees, we picked 2 Scallops with Salsa, and the Sardines with Tomato & Bread Salad. Seriously, talking as a completely unabashed azn (rprsnt!) who was raised to believe a scallop in a shell is wasted if it’s not served with ginger and shallots – these were amazing. I would eat a dozen. The scallops themselves were perfectly cooked, and very sweet – but the salsa was just so good. I’m pretty sure I licked the shell.

The sardine salad was a great mix of contrasts too – with the combination of salty and sweet, and crisp sardine skin and softly soaked bread. I’m sad I ate my dinner roll before this dish came out, otherwise I would have wiped the plate (rookie error I know, but I couldn’t keep my hands off the wholemeal sourdough. Plus it was warm! Must eat before it got cold!)

Our mains came out soon after:

Rainbow Trout ‘In a Bag’ w/ Potato Salad

Now when the menu says “Rainbow Trout in a bag”, for some reason I didn’t realise it would be a WHOLE Rainbow Trout in a bag! Yippee!!

Rainbow Trout, after deboning. Look how soft it is…. yummm

Soft, perfectly cooked, lemony and full of fresh herbs – parsley and dill.

Sticky Beef Short Rib w/ Carrots Potato Puree & Mushrooms

Sweet and sticky as promised. The glaze on this rib is gorgeous. And I really don’t want to know how much butter is in the potato puree, because it tastes so damn good. (My guess? A DELICIOUS AMOUNT)

Even after eating more than our share – we couldn’t leave without trying dessert. (“for your blog!”, my friend says – but we both know that it’s a token excuse)

Spiced Custard Tart w/ Rhubarb & Ginger

Lucky we decide to share one, because the tart looks bigger than we expected! (yippee again!) I especially like the crunchy candied ginger slices on top.

Now I guess I better start thinking about lunch…..!

Fix St James
111 Elizabeth Street,
Sydney NSW 2000

ph: (02) 9232 2767

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