Jessie, Wes and I caught up for one last hurrah before parting ways for the summer break. The newly refurbished The Royal Hotel Paddington seemed like the obvious choice, with a cocktail list to start any party and a menu, which will have you ordering everything (we did!)

 

 

Google mapping ‘Five Ways’, I remarkably arrived on time, appropriately wearing a super cute off-shoulder playsuit from Lulu & Rose. There are a zillion reasons why I am a little bit in love with this playsuit: its ability to show off my sun kissed shoulders from a recent trip to Thailand, the oversized silhouette – long summer lunches were clearly taken into consideration when designed, short enough to show leg but still look like a lady, the pockets and its ability to take me from the beach to date night with a simple shoe change.

 

 

Making our way up to the Verandah (don’t be discouraged by the dimly lit bar area), we instantly fell in love with the gorgeous bright interior. Sitting down, the drink menu was in close reach. No Christmas catch ups are complete without a large array of beverages. A huge lover of wine, we ordered a rosé for the girls, but couldn’t say no to the extensive cocktail list.

 

St Hallett Rose, The Nobles Margarita, Pomegranate and Elder Flower and a Bellini

 

With food on our minds, and us all being a little indecisive be decided to share and basically order everything.

 

 

Everyone had all hands up for the incredible Waffle Fries. These are a must order. The crispy texture, drowned in salt served with lime aioli and chipotle mayo will have you ordering seconds again and again…

 

Waffle Fries with lime aioli & chipotle mayo

You’ll quite often find me restaurant stalking on Instagram for fish tacos – another obvious order.

 

Fish Tacos with chipotle salsa & lime 

For mains after a heated foodie discussion we went with pork belly, butternut pumpkin, vitality salad (every girl needs her greens) and a side of roast carrots served by staff that were just a little too cool. We were at Five Ways…

 

Pork Belly with pistachio & pork croquette, baby onions, smoked carrot puree + apple puree

Butternut Pumpkin Ravioli with blue cheese + caramelized walnuts

Vitality Salad 

 

By 7pm the Verandah began to fill quickly, a relaxed yet trendy crowd who were oozy cool. To Wes’s disgust we turned down dessert and rolled our way out on to Five Ways one Tony Bianco heel at a time.

 

 

Jo
Dress | Lulu & Rose Dress  similar here and here |
Heels | Tony Bianco Heels
Scarf | Topshop Scarf
Bracelet | The Peach Box 

Jessie
Dress | Ministry Of Style
Heels | RMK 

Feel: A relaxed catch up with friends or a cute casual date night on the balcony.
Type: Casual Dining
Table Pick: Inside along window or for a smaller group outside on Verandah
Average PP: $60
Getting There: Parking on the street in Paddington
Gluten Free/ Vegetarian Options: Yes
Applaud: Waffle Fries, Butternut Pumpkin Ravioli, Pork Belly

Photographer: Wesley Tan