Wine bar Dandylion is blossoming in Bondi
Vegetarian dining may not sound like your cup of tofu but at Dandylion in Bondi, it’s certainly far from boring. A short stroll up Bondi Road, away from the beach, is where you’ll find this new wine bar. The place has a cool aesthetic with it’s sleek interior of white brick, wooden tables, and a large wooden bar along the side of the room. You can either choose to sit in one of the booths, the comfy cushioned bench seating or even sit cross-legged outside on the ledge.
All the meals are vegetarian at Dandylion but can also be made vegan upon request. We start with a few signature cocktails, with vibrant tones, that look as good as they taste. They are silky smooth both with a bold punch of flavour that goes down a treat. We try the Skyfall, a sweeter cocktail, described on the menu as a “lullaby” with soothing flavours of St Germain, lemon and rose syrup, mixed with Bombay Sapphire gin. If you’re feeling brave, try the spicy margarita called Oblivion with added chilli and tabasco.
The menu is represented by many different types of cuisines from modern Australian to Japanese and Italian. The entrees are a stand out for us on the night. We can’t get enough of the stuffed portobello mushrooms with melted organic brie, organic red quinoa and white truffle infused oil. At first it’s hard to taste the brie, but by the second mouthful it hits us. A delicious combination of the earthy mushrooms mixed with the tangy cheese is a divine way to start the meal.
Dish of the day would have to be the dumplings. Hidden under a bed of pretty flowers, the delicious little pillows are filled with organic tempeh, shiitake mushrooms and kale dumplings with chilli and miso spicy sauce. They may even make you question why you are obsessed with this thing called meat.
From the mains, we order the tacos of besan battered seasonal veggies, crispy lettuce, tomato salsa and shriracha vegan mayo. A delicious blend of sweet and spicy, the tacos are enhanced by that delicious (and completely vegan) mayo. All of these dishes are great for sharing, and would go really well with a few cocktails or a glasses of wine.
Although the organic black bean spaghettini packs a lot of spice, it’s quite dull in flavour. An interesting mix of ingredients, with kale, wild mushrooms, nori, pine nuts, and gremolata. It is certainly the healthiest of all dishes substituting black beans for spaghettini however we feel like it’s missing a satisfying seasoning.
But, the quick and delightful service made this a really easy and comfortable place to dine. Pop in for dinner or perhaps a vegan brunch on the weekend. They even have vegan cheese plates and vegan wines, beers and ciders! Dandylion aims to make you rethink your views on vegan and vegetarian dining, and we must say they do it well.
The Dandylion, Bondi
277 Bondi Road, Bondi 9365 1567
Mon: closed, Tues – Fri 5:30pm-late, Sat: 11am-late, Sun: 11am-10pm
See website