Pier 26

Pier 26 is an old favourite from way back. It was a great place to please the foodies and the alcoholics alike. I was really looking forward to this, but I was really disappointed today. They have changed their menu this year (although their website still displays the old menu), and it seems like they have decided to stick with the pub menu of fish and chips, schnitzel and burgers. All their interesting choices like fish and lamb shanks and stuff have all been replaced.

Food

Well, the only thing that was remotely interesting left on the menu was the kangaroo fillet ($17), served with couscous, roasted vegetables and balsamic salad. It was on the Specials menu (which was also boring!) and was favoured by a lot of other punters. It turned out to be one of the better choices on the menu, my colleagues’ fish and chips, curry and tasting plates were all below average.

My kangaroo fillets were generous and thick, and was served virtually raw, so it was still quite juicy. However, the meat was very chewy and the char flavour just was not there. I have no idea what happened, but at least the balsamic dressing was nice and helped me wash down the salad. Maybe it was because I expected so much more for this place, but I just couldn’t believe how badly they have got it now.

Well, they have revamped their drinks menu too, but they still had some interesting choices. Unfortunately, my blueberry mojito ($15.50) looked better than it tasted. The ice was piled on like a snowcone, and the blueberries added spectacular colour. Unfortunately, the blueberries were a bit tasteless and there was a bit too much ice so the drink was a bit diluted!

Rating - 5

Atmosphere

This place is always popular and packed, and on this Friday lunchtime, it was the same.

You walk up a flight of stairs to reach the bar. There are a few couches and a fireplace inside, but you never find anyone sitting there, instead, they are always out on the spacious balcony, under the heaters when it’s cold, and observing life on Darling Harbour. Just don’t look the other way and you won’t see the Cahill Expressway. It gets pretty noisy too, the rowdy drinkers shouting above the road noise.

And, to top it off, it’s a meat market, especially in summer. So, I think this has everything you need!

Rating - 2

Service

Pretty flat, I think it has gone down a little. There was a really long wait at the bar to order food, and another long line for drinks. It’s never good to keep hungry and thirsty punters waiting. And after we ordered, we had to wait for our food, but they were pretty quick considering the hordes they have to feed.

Rating - 3

C-factor

They are a bit expensive, but they were ok considering the food and the location, but now that the food has gone down and they have jacked up their drinks prices to one of the most expensive in the city, I can come no longer.

Rating - 0

Brownie Points - 10

Info

1 Wheat Road
Darling Harbour
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9268 1126
Website