Newtown's Hartsyard Has Reopened with a Fresh Look and Menu

The fried chicken is gone, but in its place is scampi tartare and bread made with spent grain from Young Henrys.
Jasmine Crittenden
January 12, 2018

With the festive done and dusted, and the new year well on its way, Hartsyard 2.0 has opened in Enmore. Say goodbye to the deep frier, and hello to the charcoal grill. Behind it, chef-owner Gregory Llewllyn is busy creating dishes he's long been dreaming of, such as scampi and prawn tartare with salt and vinegar crisps and tobiko, and chocolate with macadamia and miso caramel. Working alongside him is head chef Jarrod Walsh (ex-Automata).

"For years I've had all these dishes in my head and we simply decided it was time to move on and put them on a menu," Llewellyn said. "As everyone knows, I'm into comfort food, but I'd call this more contemporary-style comfort food."

That means the eatery's famed fried chicken has gone. In its place is a seafood- and veggie-driven menu, including tomato with barbecued calamari with pickled seaweed, duck leg with prickly ash and vinegar jus, and brewery bread, which is made with spent grains from local breweries Young Henrys and The Grifter. The desserts have also had a shake-up — along with the chocolate and miso caramel creation is a cherry blossom ice cream served with fresh cherries.

The drinks menu has had a bit of a revamp, too. Look out for local craft beers, a bunch of natural wines, a handpicked selection of sake and signature cocktails, such as the Mr White (white rum, toasted coconut, lime, coriander) and Honey Bunny (rye, creamed honey, salt, lemon verbena).

You'll notice that the interior has kept its simple charm, but is definitely brighter than before — which is a real plus. Llewllyn and partner Naomi Hart worked with Reso & Co. and Martin Taylor Made, to create a fresh, white space, splashed with oak, tan, black steel and greenery. The marble bar is still in place and now has a terracotta wine feature.

By the way, if you're craving that fried chicken, you can still get it down the road at Llewylln and Hart's other, much-loved venue, The Gretz.

Hartsyard is now open at 33 Enmore Road, Newtown. For more info, visit hartsyard.com.au

Images: Alex Mayes and Caroline McCredie. 

Published on January 12, 2018 by Jasmine Crittenden
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