Hopscotch: hops, scotch and ‘wood-fire wizardry’ in Braddon
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We first got a peek at it back in June, and now industry veterans, Nick Parkinson and Brian Smith, have thrown open the doors to their 350-seat Braddon gastropub, Hopscotch. Lonsdale Street has no shortage of dining options, and these guys know it, so they did their homework – and tweaked their own expectations – before bringing their vision to life.
The result is a spacious and inviting casual eatery that already has a friendly community vibe – and that’s just what the owners were hoping to achieve – a neighbourhood joint where locals can afford to eat every night. There are comfortable booths constructed from old ‘Misogynist’ Church Pews, high tables with stools, a low bar bench, and oodles (and oodles) of outdoor seating. This place is going to go OFF in the summer months.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X-NXSpQ9ZQI/U_GopSAvI_I/AAAAAAAAHZI/78efNCzGfY4/s144-c-o/stools.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/Hopscotch#6048801201698317298″ caption=”Hopscotch’s signature yellow” type=”image” alt=”stools.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]
There’s so much visual interest – beautiful stencilled murals by Kacy Grainger and an outdoor masterpiece from her talented son, 16-year old Solomon. Pops of yellow (their signature colour, taken from the shade of the original eaves) bring a sense of playfulness to the space.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oKP5ExiCqQs/U_GomPdHnfI/AAAAAAAAHXw/E664pSYTtLI/s144-c-o/mural1.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/Hopscotch#6048801149472447986″ caption=”The outdoor mural is the work of talented 16-year old Solomon Grainger” type=”image” alt=”mural1.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]
As the name suggests, Hopscotch offers hops and scotch…and ‘wood-fire wizardry’. The latter comes from their Argentine wood-fired grill, imported from Northern California. Designed to cook mouth-watering meats over red-hot coals, the grill uses a mixture of Iron Bark and Red Gum to impart a light smoke flavour to the meals.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9rTEB230jik/U_GonpcuFGI/AAAAAAAAHYU/3UDWlAXHig8/s144-c-o/pork.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/Hopscotch#6048801173629965410″ caption=”Korean BBQ Pork Bulgogi, Kimchi Slaw, Pickled Ginger, Spring Onions $27″ type=”image” alt=”pork.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]
If you had to capture the menu in a few words, it would be ‘international BBQ’…a quick look at the dishes reveals a classic French-inspired Rib-Eye Steak with Duck Fat Potatoes, Ratatouille, Paris Butter ($36) sitting alongside an Argentine Slow Cooked Brisket with Red Chimmi Churri, Soft Maize, Smoked Eschallots ($27) and Korean Bbq Pork Bulgogi, Kimchi Slaw, Pickled Ginger, Spring Onions ($27). Other exotic offerings hail from the Middle East, the Caribbean, Greece, and Italy, with the All-American Beef Burger with Mustard, Ketchup, Monteray Jack Cheese, Onions, White Butter Bun ($18) keeping traditionalists happy.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w5F1voRWElM/U_Goo1ATlUI/AAAAAAAAHY0/6QJQQuQPgF4/s144-c-o/souva.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/Hopscotch#6048801193911883074″ caption=”Lamb ‘Souva’, Hummus, Greek Salad, Feta, Tzatziki, House-Made Flatbread $18″ type=”image” alt=”souva.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]
The family and I troop in at 5:30pm on Hopscotch’s first Saturday night for an early dinner – the servings are generous, and there’s a lot of love in the food. The Korean BBQ Pork has a bit of kick, which builds to a slow burn that has Mr HerCanberra wiping his brow – but he’s not complaining. My Lamb ‘Souva’ with Hummus, Greek Salad, Feta, Tzatziki, and House-Made Flatbread ($18) is amazing. The flatbread is not even in the same universe as the ‘standard’ Pita you’ve come to expect from a kebab – it’s thick and pillowy and so incredibly delicious that it risks overshadowing the flavourful lamb inside.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n5oCtArot_0/U_GoqFXPxhI/AAAAAAAAHZA/EWhSw_bQaJ4/s144-c-o/tempura.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/Hopscotch#6048801215482938898″ caption=”FISH & CHIPS – Stone Wood Pale Ale Battered Fish, Tartare Sauce $22″ type=”image” alt=”tempura.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]
The two Little Miss HerCanberras both choose the Fish & Chips – Stone Wood Pale Ale Battered Fish, Tartare Sauce ($22). I sneak a taste (in the interests of research) and it’s the best battered fish I’ve had in some time…light crispy batter and fresh, soft white fillets; the accompanying leafy salad comes with a tangy citrus dressing that is perhaps a little heavy-handed, but not unpleasantly so.
To drinks. I’m not a scotch drinker, but I do love a chardonnay – and I’m kinda fussy. But the Oakridge Over The Shoulder that Brian recommends is a cracker. And Mr HerCanberra’s ‘large’ Peroni is indeed that.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/–WUCdxKCuCw/U_GolJxakLI/AAAAAAAAHXY/8RH2uRqHCFs/s144-c-o/large%252520beer.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/Hopscotch#6048801130767093938″ caption=”Now, that’s a beer!” type=”image” alt=”large beer.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]
Service is friendly and efficient, the place is kid-friendly, the meals arrive 15 minutes after we order them and the food is bloody good. My only caution to families would be that I expect Friday and Saturday nights to attract some ‘big drinking’ crowds, so if you’re thinking of taking the kids for a meal on the weekend, make sure you go as soon as the kitchen opens at 5:30pm. It was getting a bit rowdy by the time we cleared out just before 6:30pm (but it WAS post-Raiders match, and Lord knows the fans needed to drown their sorrows!) But any other night – or lunch any day – would be perfect.
Bottom line? If you’re looking for a casual bite to eat that you can rock up to in jeans and get great grub without the fuss, this is your new go-to.
the essentials
What: Hopscotch
Where: 5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon
When: Monday to Sunday, 11am til midnight (probably later on weekends)
Email: info@hopscotchbar.com.au
Phone: 6107 3030
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