People's Choice Winner: Time Out Food Awards 2012

Porteño
 
The fires are still burning hot at this Argentinian bar and grill. And don’t you know it, Sydney. This is, after all, your award and Porteño is the product of your keen-as-mustard voting. None of the sheen has gone off the restaurant, either, which opened back in 2010. If anything, they’ve just hit their straps. Chefs Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz have a few more tattoos (seriously, who knew there was room?), maître d’ Sarah Doyle has even more complicated hair and the upstairs bar’s really settled in, thanks to bar manager Simon McGoram (he’s got a Flip on the cocktail list with a quail’s egg and Fernet Branca – have mercy!). The menu, however, remains as straightforward and gloriously meat-centric as it’s ever been. And sure, you could still go for the star attraction of roast pig or lamb, splayed over the asador. They’re delicious. But we’re about the grills at the moment. Go for the entrana – aka inside skirt steak – or sweetbreads, if they’re available. If you’re a total savage like us, you might order the veal tongue, a bread roll and some chimmichurri and make a tableside sandwich. They won’t mind. In fact, they may even applaud you. It’s insanely easy to over-order here, and it’s all exciting stuff. Our advice? Order one or two proteins (more, depending on the size of your party) and go hard on sides like crisp, fried Brussels sprouts with lentils and mint, and maybe the grilled radicchio with potatoes, parsnip and hazelnuts, riddled with little fried pancetta treats. Oh, and you can’t come to an Argentinean grill house without smashing some Malbec. Let sommelier and manager Joe Valore pour you one of six by-the-glass, or one of the gazillion by the bottle. Porteño remains one of Sydney’s favourite restaurants – no one does fun like they do.



Runners Up

Bloodwood
Newtown	The crowning jewel of Newtown’s ever-growing bar and restaurant scene, Bloodwood manages to outshine them all with its dedication to tasty snacks, great cocktails and a convivial atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to stop by for a fancy pre-gig meal, or a plate of polenta chips and a beer.
Buffalo Dining Club
Darlinghurst	This is the latest project from Michael Fantuz – the man behind Sticky Bar and Table for 20. Grab a seat at the three-person bar or the communal table, order up Trumer Pils on tap (yay!) or maybe the super-cheap house red for $20 per 500ml carafe, and get snacking. Don’t miss the cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper pasta), served right out of a hollowed-out parmesan wheel.
Momofuku Seiobo
Pyrmont	There hasn’t been a restaurant open this year that’s been quite as talked about, spat on, celebrated and photographed. We’re here to tell you to spit less, celebrate more and photograph as much as you like. That is, as long as the flash is off and you don’t let your food get cold.
4Fourteen
Surry Hills	We’ve got big love for this brand new Sydney restaurant, opened by sweary motorbike-riding Irishman, Colin Fassnidge. It’s all about casual eats, nice booze and good tunes at this Surry Hills newbie. And looks like the voting members of Sydney agree.

Food Awards 2012
	View our full list of winners from the Time Out Food Awards 2012