If The Grounds of Alexandria is achingly fashionable in itself, then The Greens in North Sydney is full of the North Shore’s fashionable, particularly on a Sunday afternoon. So what makes this place a spot where the up-to-the-minute want to meet?
Well, The Greens is a rather odd combination of Registered Club, Bowling Green and Bistro. That eclectic combination of talents shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. The brain child of husband and wife team Lilly and Nathan Fasan, who are ex-The Grounds, they have brought together some clever people, interesting venue and really good food. The key to its success is the food, which is, on the whole, excellent.
The Greens is a good spot to try a game of barefoot bowls. The Greens have several coaches on tap, who will guide you through the basics of the game and make sure you have a fun afternoon (aout $25/head). If the day is sunny and warm, a few ends of bowls with a nice drink and something to eat is a marvellous way to spend an afternoon.
If you want to sit and eat, The Greens have a decent, well thought out menu. There are many options for vegetarians and those looking for gluten free which include a salad of baby beets (GF and V) a Salad of Poached Chicken (GF) with kale, quinoa, pear and yoghurt as well as Gold Band Snapper with confit tomatoes, kipfler potatoes, olives and capers.
And for those looking for something more substantial, they have an excellent Lamb Shoulder for two with seasonal vegetables. This dish is a melt-in-your-mouth triumph which makes a great shared meal. Oven roasted for twelve hours, the shoulder is falling-apart good; soft and luscious.
I had the Fish and Chips which came with properly crispy chips, fresh green salad and a really good piece of grilled Barramundi.
The Greens was full to bursting on this sunny Sunday afternoon yet the food came out promptly and all together. It was all freshly prepared and well presented.
There’s a pretty decent wine list too. Amongst the eight of us, we shared a bottle of the Raio Boka Tempranillo (for the lamb eaters) and Villa Sandi Prosecco for the fish eaters.
This is a great spot to spend an afternoon. Plays some bowls, eat some food or simply grab a drink at the bar. Find a nice chair, sit back and settle-in for some serious people watching.
Prices are $12 – $15 for the starters
Mains are $18 – $25
And shared meals are $45
The Greens is a NSW Registered Club affiliated with North Sydney Leagues Club. That means you have to be a member or sign-in as a guest, just like your local RSL.
Open 11:00am – 11:00pm
The Greens North Sydney
50 Ridge Street, North Sydney
Ph: 9245 3099
