Dear Darnell's — Restaurant in Witchcliffe

Review for Dear Darnell’s Bar in Witchcliffe

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Honestly, just come for an interaction with Emma, one of the bar staff. If happiness was made of strawberries, she’d be making a whole lot of strawberry milkshakes. Do yourself a favour and get to know her.

If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Witchcliffe, look no further than Dear Darnell’s Bar! This charming establishment is a delightful blend of rustic elegance and warm hospitality that will make you feel right at home from the moment you walk in. With its cozy ambiance, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after a long day or to celebrate life’s little victories (like finally finishing that puzzle you started three months ago).

First off, let’s talk about the drinks. The cocktail menu is a masterpiece of creativity! Each drink is crafted with precision and flair, and the bartenders are not just mixologists; they’re artists. Whether you prefer a classic whiskey sour or a daring concoction that involves ingredients you can’t pronounce, there’s something to tickle everyone's taste buds. Be sure to try the “Darnell Delight”—you might just find yourself questioning your loyalty to your usual favorites!

The food at Dear Darnell’s is equally impressive. The menu features an array of dishes that are both comforting and innovative. The locally sourced ingredients shine through in every bite, making you feel good about indulging. The signature burger is a must-try; it’s so good that it should probably come with a warning label: “Caution: May cause uncontrollable happiness.” And let’s not forget about the fries—they’re like little golden sticks of joy that could make even a potato fan cry tears of gratitude.

Now, the atmosphere—ah, the atmosphere! Picture this: warm lighting, cozy seating, and a vibe that encourages laughter and conversation. It’s the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time, whether you’re engaging in deep philosophical discussions or debating the best pizza toppings (pineapple, obviously). The staff is attentive and friendly, making sure you feel like part of the family rather than just another customer.

And here’s where the 20% humor comes in: if you’re lucky, you might catch Darnell himself working the bar. Legend has it that he can juggle three bottles while telling a dad joke, and while that may be an exaggeration, I can assure you he’s got a wit sharper than the knives in their kitchen. Just be prepared for some pun-tastic banter while you sip your drink!

In conclusion, Dear Darnell’s Bar is a must-visit for anyone in Witchcliffe. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this bar promises an experience that’s equal parts delightful and entertaining. So grab your friends, bring your appetite, and get ready for an evening filled with laughter, good food, and maybe even a few ridiculous dance moves (don’t worry, no one’s judging!). Cheers to Darnell and his fantastic bar!

If you’re lucky to see a guy called Emmet you’ve really won...

Incredible venue! Went in with no expectations and no reservation. A clearly busy night, the team member who greeted us was trying to find a way to squeeze us in, and even apologised when all that could be offered was a high top in the back, we were thrilled as we'd already accepted that we may have to try again another day. The venue is eclectic and pays homage to the buildings history. Mix matched bar stools, table and chairs surround a central circular bar, a wonderful focal point (with an old windmill repurposed as the fan) the atmoaphere was lively but not loud and it was easy to have a conversation about every detail we noticed. You could easily come here 30 times and find new features! The staff were very approachable and engaging. The menu was small (because so is the kitchen) but the items were ordered were spectacular. You don't need a big menu when you do those few items so well! Triple cooked potatoes, mushroom skewers, gnocchi, and woodfired chicken parma, we savoured every bite! And we even ate the kale (it was crispy and was the perfect texture on the potatoes and the delicate pillowy fnocchi. We were checked in on (but not too much) and we got to hear about some of the details of the building, how Dear Darnells started, and the other businesses in the complex. We will definitely be back again, for the Food, the staff, the venue, and the vibes! Thanks for...

Food & drink sucked! Hahaha, seriously, I hope it was an off day.

I know these reviews can be damaging, but I have to be honest.

The macaroni triangles we received were not like those in the picture. Maybe about 1/10th the cheese. And the serving size was very small, about the size of 5 grapes. This is probably a snack food, but still $16 for this... They were bland as hell, I don't even know if they salted the pasta! Please make sure there is enough cheese/aioli next time. The aioli sauce was nice. I would NOT recommend these, they were flavorless, unappetizing.

The 'Hibiscus Lemonade' sucked... It's just lemonade without sugar. It's so sour it made your mouth feel dry. Why is it $9 if it sucks... All other non-alcoholic drinks are better, get one of those instead.

*not a huge issue. They got one of our drinks wrong, when we mentioned it they gave us the correct one -another 'Hibiscus Lemonade'. We immediately regretted brining up the issue, the incorrectly served 'lemon lime bitters' would've been 30x better than the 'Hibiscus Lemonade' we ordered.

I will mention the ATMOSPHERE WAS AMAZING, and it's kind of hard for food to live up to that, but I honestly regret ordering anything and wanted to go to IGA to make my own food afterwards. We expected to order more food after snacking a little, but it was...