Baby Face Kitchen
Address:1/179 Keira Street, Wollongong
Phone: 4295 0903
Reservations: Highly Recommended
Price: $$$- Average $65-$75 p.p
Opening hours:
Monday 18:00-23:00
Wednesday 18:00-23:00
Thursday 18:00-23:00
Friday 12:00-00:00
Saturday 12:00-00:00
Sunday 12:00- 22:00
Tucked away in an inconspicuous space on Keira Street (next to Kathmandu) is Wollongong’s newest modern Australian restaurant with a Japanese influence. Babyface Kitchen features some amazing culinary expertise and with a menu designed for sharing it’s the perfect combination for a great night out.
With the initial reception of our party felt a little cold (with our booking for five no where to be seen), however, the staff eventually warmed to us after realising we were actually there to eat.
The menu is divided into five main sections and patrons are recommended to choose a selection from each. Raw, which features fresh sashimi, smaller dishes, larger dishes, sides and sweets.
The evening started with a lovely jug of Pimms with fresh fruit, a few cocktails from the menu (might I say the BabyFace cocktail with Archie Rose Gin was delightful) and some soy roasted pepitas.
After ordering one of every animal on the menu (thank god there was five of us!) our first course was melt-in-your-mouth seared Saikou king salmon belly with red miso butterscotch, sesame and white cabbage salad. For someone who doesn’t particularly like seafood it was amazing!
One aspect that was a pleasant change from the usual dining style is that the chef chooses in which order the dishes are served, giving the experience a sense of surprise.
We followed with pork gyoza dumplings with green tea salt, soy and red vinegar. We all agreed that it tasted like the best sausage roll we’d ever eaten. In the best way possible.
With the mouth-watering red vinegar still lingering we were then served our duck spring rolls. The delicious flaky pastry soaking up the naam jim kai (or sweet chilli sauce). Out of the four smaller dishes we ordered, one was an immediate winner. The hosin and hazelnut smoked lamb ribs were delectable. The meat fell off the bone and with the crunch of the roasted hazelnuts the textures and flavours of the dish were simply exquisite.
As for the larger dishes I couldn’t fault a simple component. The Borrowdale free range pork belly with apple puree, the Rangers valley Hanger steak and the Holmbrae chicken breast all highlighted the chef’s perfect execution of flavour and technique. Along with a side of green beans and soba noodles we were more than satisfied and unfortunately had to pass on sweets.
I guess that means I have an excuse to return as soon as possible!
Apart from their delicious and inspired dishes the staff were kind and inviting, although at times hard to find when needing another drink. Burnsbury Hospitality is the driving force behind Babyface Kitchen and is also the parent group of other Wollongong eateries such as 2 Smoking Barrels and Son of a Gun.
If Japanese inspired food isn’t for you, for a more relaxed meal head down to Wollongong’s Eat Street markets on Thursday nights and grab a slow cooked pork or beef brisket roll from their 2 Smoking Barrels market stall. You won’t be disappointed.
