Hartsyard @ Newtown

Hartsyard has been on my radar for some time.  I have heard so much about it, read so many articles and reviews and I just knew that I had to dine here.  It's the type of place I love to eat at.  Relaxed, laid back, funky, neighbourhood style, homey and southern comfort style food!

Being a Sunday, I was surprised how busy it is.  All tables are taken as well as stools at the bar and the communal table at the front.  It's dim lit with soft lighting and we are greeted by Naomi Hart, co-owner, front of house extraordinaire.  She is bubbly and friendly and makes you feel very welcome.  It's like coming home!

We are seated at the booth seats at the back.  Perfect for restaurant/people watching. Naomi chats with Mr G (he is a regular) and I for a bit and lets us know the specials before dashing off to meet the next diners.  Casey, our waitress will be taking good care of us tonight and it's not long before we have ordered a glass of sparkling wine to sip while perusing the menu.

Can you tell we were excited to be here, that things got a little silly?

Les Quinz Arpents, Vouvray Brut, Les Cave, France

Everything on the menu looks wonderful and I have a hard time choosing.  As Mr G has dined a few times he recommended a few dishes but asked me to choose for us so that I could sample everything I wanted. I WANTED EVERYTHING!

We decide on 2 Seeds (smaller plates) and 2 Feeds (larger plates) all designed to share.  However, Mr G states that it is probably going to be far to much food, so we cut it down to 3 dishes only.

We start off with crispy pigs tails.

I was expecting long, curly piggy tails piled on a plate, but was surprised when the plate had  2 crispy coated discs (they remind me of hockey pucks) on the plate drizzled with buttermilk dressing and a pile of pickles garnished with tiny baby radishes.  Inside the 'pucks' there is tender, rich porky goodness.  Comforting is the first word that comes to mind.  I'm very happy with the flavours.  Mr G and I don't need to argue over portions either, we both got one each! 

 Crispy Pig Tails

Buttermilk dressing, pickles, hot sauce

 

While we were munching our way through the dish we eyed off our neighbours plates trying to guess what they were eating.  We argued over their dish that had a big slab of meat and a huge piece of what we thought was pork belly on top.  We were both wanting it.  Wait did we miss something off the menu?  Was it the special that Naomi had mentioned that we had forgotten about?  Oh no did we make a wrong choice? We had to wait to find out.

 

I'll admit, since Hartsyard opened a little over a year ago, it's the fried chicken that has had me intrigued.  It's not just Fried Chicken.  It's SMOKED Fried Chicken (and brined)....and I'm a huge fan of low country sausage gravy. Nothing speaks more 'homey and comforting' than sausage gravy, biscuit and fried chicken. 

 

The serving is generous with 3 pieces. The chicken has a crunchy coating (but not overly crunchy) and the juices flow from the tender piece of chicken.  The hint of smokiness is pleasing.  I love this chicken!  Served with a buttermilk biscuit, which is what us Aussies would refer to as a scone, is doused in rich, creamy sausage gravy.  The gravy is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of minced sausage to gravy ratio.

 

I manage only one piece and Mr G devours the other two pieces, much to his delight.

 

 Fried Chicken

Buttermilk biscuit, low country sausage gravy

 

 

I was already starting to get full and we had one more dish to come.  Turns out our neighbours did have the pulled pork and we were delighted that we had made the right choice!

 

Smoky, BBQy tender pulled pork is fork tender delicious, but it was the slab of what turned out to be bacon on top that was cooked to melting point and coated in maple syrup that was the winner.  It is sticky and sweet and smokey and.....sorry I just need a moment to myself! (and yes Mr G and I were jousting over the last pieces of bacon).  The apple was crispy and fresh and complimented the fattiness of the pork and bacon perfectly and who can resist pork cracklin's on top!

 

Pulled Pork

Maple bacon, yoghurt, apple

 

I was eyeing off the weekend special 'milo' pie that a few other guests were digging into with gusto.  It looked sensational! Unfortunately there was just no room to have dessert.  But that is more reason to come back....and soon!

 

Husband and wife team, Greg and Naomi have created a space that offers something homey and comforting.  It's honest food! The whole nose to tail philosophy is a strong concept in the industry these days and here at Hartsyard that concept truly shines through with the food that they serve. It is seasonal, it is really 'nose to tail, leaf to root' food. The passion, the blood, sweat and tears, their dream and their hard work shows on the plate!  And it's not just about the food.  It's about home, friendship and family. It really is a homestead! 

and I cannot wait to return....