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The Hill Eatery

The people behind Bondi’s Porch and Parlour take it to another level with the Hill Eatery

First published on 19 Jul 2012. Updated on 19 Oct 2012.

It’s all about the diffusion restaurant in Sydney right now. Casual offshoots and upmarket spin-offs are popping up all across town in a move by chefs and owners to extend their offering. And the Hill Eatery is just that: a little more fancy, a little more upmarket and a little more sophisticated than breakfast hotspot Porch and Parlour, the other Bondi venture by Sarah Hendricks, Michael Benson and Sam Smith.

An entree of plump grilled sardines served with pierced cherry tomatoes and garlic-rubbed sourdough is simple and well executed. The mixed seafood pie is outstanding, care of some superbly made pastry (although unlike the name suggests it is much more a seafood tart than a pie). And the slow-braised organic beef, potato, broccoli, pea and mint mash as a main is rich, tender and delicious. It’s only let down by the waitress failing to warn us that the pot it comes in is sizzling hot – same story with the paella. Sure, it seems obvious, but a simple “watch out” could have saved our fingers. Twice.

That paella is a decent enough rendition of this difficult-to-get-right Spanish dish. It’s slightly gluggy, true, but it has the essential caramelized, golden crust and chunks of fish, fat prawns and calamari. If you’re only after a snack head to the bar for the spiced beef koftas or the jamón-wrapped mushrooms with lemon and sage. Match it all with a Sarah’s Favourite – a cocktail of gin, quandong and gentian bitters, grapefruit and agave syrup, or a glass of wine from the Australian-only wine list. Or maybe just go straight for the raw chocolate pot for dessert.

It’s early days for this Eastern Suburbs restaurant. Once the teething issues are sorted – the service is a little scattered, they could do with some soft furnishings to cut down the noise levels – the Hill Eatery will be a great place to visit.

Words by Sarah Norris |

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The Hill Eatery details

Address

Shop 5, 39-53 Campbell Parade

Bondi 2026

Telephone 02 9130 2200

Price per person including drinks from $10.00 to $150.00

Open Mon-Wed 6-11pm; Thu-Sun noon-11pm

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Readers' comments, reviews and pictures

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Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46
Truffle Pig said:
I had high hopes for this place when I tried to make an early dinner booking and was told they don't take them and to get there right before 6 to secure a table. It was good advice considering by 6:10pm the place was packed. I was let down when the food arrived. The lasagne looks very tempting on the menu, a promise to be dazzles with lashing of mushrooms and pumpkin. That I was but there was no sheets of pasta to be seen.... so I would probably suggest they call it a vegetable stack to manage the expectations of their hungry customers (me!). The paella was also disappointing.... overcooked, swollen rice stuck to the pan topped with seafood. I must say the fish on top was delicious but everything else was below average. I would like to say the service was good but our waitress was too casual and disterested. So much so she generously poured the last glass of the red wine into my friends glass of white wine and forgot our side order of salad. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great commitment to local, organic produce and a fantastic ambience. If I liked crap food i'd love it, but I don't.

Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012 07:07:46

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