BWW Reviews: Burke and Wills is Uncommonly Wonderful

Burke & Wills, the new Australian Bistro on West 79th Street near Broadway has perfected the fine dining experience. Stylish, welcoming and unique, Burke and Wills will take you "down under" on the Upper West Side.

Exploration is at the heart of Burke & Wills. Named for the pioneering adventurers who made an expedition across Australia in 1860, both the food and atmosphere are shaped by the influences of the 1850s Gold Rush, post WWI immigration from Greece and Italy, and 20th Century Southeast Asia.

The intimate dining room, with comfortable banquets, lovely woods and a sky-lit atrium is the perfect spot to enjoy the gourmet menu created by Executive Chef Rodrigo Nogueira. Burke & Wills offers seafood, meats and vegetarian choices in just the right measure.

Raise your glass to this neighborhood gem and try one of the distinctive cocktails (all $12) that are created by Mixologist, Greg Seider. We enjoyed his St. Kilda Sling and the Bushfire Margarita. Owner, Tim Harris is happy to suggest the perfect wine pairing for your meal and to let you know about the fine selection that comes from the Southern Hemisphere.

Burke & Wills menu is driven by the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce. Start your meal with one of their delightful appetizers that include a generous selection of raw bar items. Parsnip Soup ($14) with white chocolate, brioche, truffle vinaigrette is perfect to warm you up in winter. Where else in New York can you get a Roo Burger ($17), yes kangaroo. The burger is served with tomato jam, shaved onions and triple fried chips. Pan Seared Barramundi ($24), a house specialty, is seasoned with fennel barigoule and pickled fennel. And while Rotisserie Chicken ($21) may seem like a familiar menu item, the recipe perfected by Burke and Wills is slow cooked and served with roasted baby patty pan squash and brown butter sauce.

For dessert, we suggest a house specialty, their Pavlova with whipped cream, passion fruit curd and layered with fruit. Chocolate lovers will not be disappointed with their other luscious desserts.

While at Burke & Wills, enjoy their two very different bar and lounge experiences. Or come back again for drinks and small plates. Their house bar, located right at the entrance features a wonderful beverage program. For an exclusive experience, the Manhattan Cricket Club is located on their second floor, accessed through an upholstered door. This is where you can lounge in the library or relax at the marble bar while you enjoy live music. Sip cleverly named cocktails you won't find anywhere else like their Boulevard of Broken Dreams or Just a Kiss Away. You can also order small plates to accompany your drinks at the bar and the Manhattan Cricket Club.

Simply stated, one trip to Burke & Wills is not enough.

Burke & Wills is located at 226 W 79th Street, New York City. You can call, (646) 823-9251 or visit their web site at www.burkeandwillsny.com. They are open seven days a week for cocktails, bar snacks, dinner, late night and weekend brunch: Mon-Wed 4pm-midnight; Thurs-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat 11am-2am, Sun noon-midnight. For more information, on private parties and special events, please contact Matilda Boland at matilda@burkeandwillsny.com.

Photo Credit: Erik Fuller

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