Tasked with the near impossible – lunch for 12 people, at the Rocks and reasonably priced – I set myself to work ie. Googling madly. Fortunately it was SIFF month so I was able to get my hands on the Crave Vouchers for Pony Lounge and Dining.

This rustic restaurant located on the cobbled pavement of Kendall Lane is appropriately decorated with timber flooring, cow hide covered kitchen bench, and (what I think looks like) 3 haystack & rope art feature. The outside verandah was closed off – disappointing given the teasing blue skies outside.

The Express Lunch menu was a choice of 4 dishes:

Chermoula roasted kingfish, warm kipfler potato and herb salad – The Kingfish, well marinated with a creamy dressing.

Eggplant baked with ricotta and wood fire grilled vegetable, salsa verde – excellent vegetarian choice and rich in flavour however the dish came out lukewarm

Thai beef and vermicelli noodle salad, peanuts, chilli coconut dressing – unfortunately no one at our table ordered this dish

Of the dessert menu, the macadamia tart received an all round thumbs up. The vanilla, prune and muscat brulee was smooth and velvety. The banana and lime cheesecake was well presented but very rich (somewhat overpowering).

Despite my minor complaints I was overall pleased with the experience.  The service was refined & forgiving (despite our late arrival). The ambiance stylish & intimate. The food was affordable and beautifully presented looking like little artworks of culinary delights.

Where: Pony Lounge
Location:  Cnr Kendall andArgyle St, The Rocks, Sydney
Opened: 7 days a week. Lunch12-3. Dinner 6pm until late.
Dress: Smart Casual
Price: Crave Lunch Special $25-30.