Pasture of Balmoral — Restaurant in Sydney

Finding a top-notch eatery often feels like discovering a hidden oasis in a desert, and let me paint you a picture of my latest haven - Pasture of Balmoral in Mosman, NSW. From the moment I strolled into this airy culinary retreat by The Esplanade, it was clear that a transcendent gastronomic experience awaited. The vibe here is second to none, setting the stage for a symphony of flavors led by an extraordinary array of salads that spun a new yarn on greens.

The thing about the salads at Pasture of Balmoral is they're more than just a side show - they're the main event. Think less rabbit food and more hearty, gusto-filled greens with clever, zesty dressing enough to tantalize even the most ardent carnivore into submission. It’s clear the kitchen here doesn’t play by the rules, and believe me, that's a good thing in the world of leafy greens. Pair that with service that’s as sharp as a well-dressed gentleman on race day, and you’ve got a winning combo.

Speaking of service, the staff here moved with a kind of choreographed precision that's rare. They navigated the bustling dining space with poise, attending to every patron’s needs without ever appearing rushed. It’s like they’re all tooled up with ESP – or just incredibly attentive training. Either way, it makes you feel pretty special, and not in a ‘booking mistake at a hotel’ kind of way.

Now, let's talk about the setting. The open dining room pulls you into its embrace with what seems like the easiest of efforts. It’s spacious - almost surprisingly so - allowing for an ambiance that's both intimate yet expansive. Perfect place for a cheeky date or a sunlit reprieve with mates. And in true Australian style, it’s all laid-back elegance, no airs or graces - just pure class.

In conclusion, Pasture of Balmoral doesn’t just serve food; it curates an atmospheric culinary delight that makes their current 4.2 rating on review sites look like a clerical error. This joint is effortlessly spectacular, a place where the food sings, and the setting dazzles. It’s a full five-star experience, thriving unapologetically at the intersection of great food and stellar ambiance. If you find yourself in Mosman, do yourself a flavour-favour, swing by....

Rude Staff, Hostile to Kids – Avoid at All Costs

Stopped by on a Sunday for a quick coffee and a babychino for my 5-year-old on our way to Nippers. The whole row of tables outside was empty, and my daughter sat at one just to wait for our order. Moments later, a waitress charged over, yelling at us that someone else was supposed to sit there. No reserved sign, no warning, just pure hostility.

I tried to calmly explain that a little politeness could’ve avoided the drama, but her response? “You’re only here for your takeaway coffee!” How charming.

To the owners of this miserable little spot catering to grumpy locals and serving microwaved food: I get that you can pick and choose your customers, but it would be nice if you didn’t take your bad mood out on little kids.

For me, this place will always be remembered as where “the poo-poo lady” works – my kid's words, not mine.

EDIT: Dear Anonymous member of the Pasture Team,

I acknowledge the fact that you've decided to take a defensive approach in your response. That's not unexpected. After all, it requires an internal strength to recognise a valid criticism. Not everyone has it.

Perhaps, after spending a little more time in the country you will manage to see how unfriendly and, dear I say, un-Australian your behaviour was that...

I think our experience was a little unusual in that we arrived around 11:15 for a quick snack before heading off to the beach. The breakfast menu is served until 11:30, but the lunch menu isn't served until 12, so bad luck if you want something to eat between those times. We fortunately arrived in time to order from the breakfast menu, but then it seems our food order got lost, as after 20 minutes a very apologetic wait staff member came out and told us we couldn't have poached eggs, but could have fried or scrambled. The eggs, when they arrived were delicious, and the coffees were delicious as well, the staff was polite and friendly but it was all a bit of a muddle.

While we were there the wind picked up and blew a large pot plant off a high shelf which crashed down into a seat where someone had been sitting a few minutes before - fortunately no one was sitting there at the time.

As I said at the start, our experience was perhaps out of character so I would be willing to try it again and perhaps go earlier for proper brunch or later for lunch. If I do try it again, I'll...