Flinders Lane first opened in NYC’s Lower East in 2014 and this past fall, opened in Downtown Stamford on “Restaurant Row,” aka Summer Street. Flinders Lane is sidenamed for a stretch of Melbourne’s central business district where the blocks are vibrant street art, unique galleries, edgy fashion, tiny cafes and hidden bars. Often missed by tourists, these laneways are a veritable treasure trove of epicurean delights and cutting edge restaurants.
Flinders Lane makes its mark with its boldly flavored and ingredient-driven land and sea menu, innovative beverage program which features delicious cocktails and an impressive wine list featuring Australian wines, and eclectic décor. The cuisine is inspired “from the cuisines of nearby Southeast Asia and subtle influence from the food of British settlers mixed with that of Greek and Italian immigrants.” This is all combined with lots of seafood, year-round fruits and vegetables and the Australian attitude: “No fussing, no over thinking.”
Sausage Rolls
Their Aussie-style brunch menu is divided into small plates and main courses. Of the small plates, we recommend starting with an order, or two, of Sausage Rolls (pork sausage wrapped in puff pastry, served with a side of sambal mayonnaise). The Meat Pie of the Day is worth trying. Ours was made with beef and served with a side salad and fries, er… chips.
Meat Pie
The Big Brekkie transported me back to London with the traditional breakfast of eggs, mushrooms, roasted tomato, bacon, pork sausage, and baked beans.
Big Brekkie
Shifting to Southeast Asia, we enjoyed the Chicken San Choi Bau with bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, mung bean sprouts, iceberg lettuce wraps and their rich Coconut Curry Laksa with prawns, crabmeat, rice noodles, bean sprouts, tofu, topped with Thai basil and cilantro.
Chicken San Choi Bau
Coconut Curry Laksa
Our daughter, Foodie Kai, loved the French Toast with chocolate espresso sauce, milo cream, and blueberry. Shown below is the “smaller portion” that you can ask for, the perfect size for little eaters. Though, you might want to pick some off their plates because it is delicious!
French Toast
You must save room for dessert. While we only tried two of the five dessert offerings, we highly recommend ordering Grandma Stewart’s Sticky Date Pudding. Chef Brad uses his grandmother’s own recipe for this dessert. Served on a warm bed of caramel sauce, the date cake is topped with savory vanilla ice cream. For those who like coconut, try the Lamington, an Australian cake, made from squares of butter cake coated with outer layer of chocolate sauce and rolled in coconut shavings and made into a sandwich with strawberry jam and cream in the middle.
Grandma Stewart’s Sticky Date Pudding
Lamington
Flinders Lane has a great Happy Hour special. So good they do have it daily from 5 to 7 with $6 cocktails and select wine, draft beer for $4, $1 oysters, and light bites for $5. Try a Spring Margarita or an Espresso Martini, or enjoy a glass of Pinot Gris with oysters.
Spring Margarita – El Toro Tequila, St Germain, Cucumber, Thai Basil Tincture, Lime, Agave
Espresso Martini
Tidbit
If you see the “Skipping Girl,” she’s one of the icons of Melbourne, Australia. You can learn more about her here.
Flinders Lane
184 Summer Street, Stamford CT, 06901
www.flinderslane-nyc.com
