Will you cho-cho-choose the Blue Caboose?
Last year it was the Mezze Train, this year it’s MediTrainean, a new restaurant that’s come chug-a-chug-a-chugging into Crows Nest. Dips, salads and mouthwatering Mediterranean food are all served on a conveyer belt, reinventing the beloved sushi train. But walk down the stairs (or down the carriage) to the back of the restaurant and you’ll find their new bar The Blue Caboose.
Incorporating the flavours from all 21 countries of the Mediterranean, this cocktail bar offers something a little bit different. Mixing a luxurious lounge area that exudes Euro-chic styling next to an open balcony, this place will be full come summer. Their cocktail menu has been designed by Alex Clark (QT Sydney, Lobo Plantation, Eau de Vie) and is designed to be a menu of cocktail classics with a twist. Think a gin martini, but with a twist of kalamata olives, capers and sea salt and you have their Mediterranean Sea Salt Martini. Or perhaps their Espresso Baklava, a unique take on the espresso martini.
The Greek Island Dream jumps out at us on the cocktail menu. Encapsulating Greek flavours of fig, honey, rose water and cinnamon, it’s a well-balanced creamy concoction that will transport you to the beaches of Santorini. It comes with a very effective smoking cinnamon stick to complete the picture. We also try their signature sangria blanco, a white wine sangria with hints of lemongrass and citrus. A very refreshing, summer cocktail.
Their food is designed for sharing from boards to tapas, but they also have an exciting dessert menu offering several different types of crepes. We indulge in the Capri Board which includes pita bread, chickpea and eggplant dip, olives, lentil and quinoa tabbouleh and eggplant cigars.
The eggplant cigars steal the show, with tasty eggplant wrapped around baked ricotta, olives, sun dried tomatoes and pine nuts. The lentil and tabbouleh salad is a nice addition with a citrusy blend and a delicious sour tang. The dips, while not overly exciting, tie the platter together.
We suggest trying the beautifully presented scallops, a popular pick from the tapas menu. Encased in four symmetrical shells, the soft and pillowy scallops are cooked to perfection and paired with some chopped tomato and onions.
As for the crepes, you can choose from a selection of classics or try one of their boozy Mediterranean specialties. We try the Bella Fraise with strawberry compote and marscapone. All crepes can come with a shot of any liqueur, with a recommended shot next to every crepe on the menu. For the Bella Fraise it’s a shot Chambord.
The Blue Caboose opened less than a few months ago and the word is still getting out to the locals. But we predict this little Crows Nest secret will be making tracks in no time. Full steam ahead to MediTrainean, and the Blue Caboose!
Blue Caboose
55 Alexander St, Crows Nest NSW 2065 (Rear of MediTrainean)
Open Sun, Tues, Thurs – Sat: 12-11pm, Wed: 12:30 – 11pm, Mon: closed
For more places to eat in Crows Nest, check out our Bars You Have to Try in Crows Nest
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