Restaurant News

Toasted sandwiches as bar snacks

There's some pretty exciting stuff going on between the slices right now, and it’s not just reserved for the lunchbox. Whether it’s triangles of gooey Taleggio and truffle, or a rich Christmas ham and 'nduja number, the humble toasted sandwich has stepped up its game and (yes!) made friends with the wine bottle. Here’s where to get your taste.

By Pat Nourse, Max Veenhuyzen, Maggie Scardifield, Michael Harden
The late-night sandwich at Bar Brosé
SYDNEY
Mercado (watch a video of Mercado's toastie being made.)
The golden soldiers of pan-fried brioche encasing thin layers of smoked wagyu tongue and pickled green tomato at Mercado are hard to beat. Bring a glass of lightly oxidative chardonnay from Jura producer Jean Bourdy into the mix and it's basically unstoppable. Mercado, 4 Ash St, Sydney, NSW, (02) 9221 6444, mercadorestaurant.com.au
Bar Brosé
The late-night sandwich at Bar Brosé is a toastie that chef Analiese Gregory used to make for the staff at Acme after service. They loved it, and now that it's a permanent fixture on the Brosé menu, you can too. Ham glazed Christmas-style with pineapple and mustard, plus spicy 'nduja and Comté cheese? Count us in. Bar Brosé, 231a Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, barbrose.com.au
Continental Deli
Between all the Pyengana cheddar, Brillat Savarin, Taleggio and pecorino in the deli fridge at The Continental, there's plenty of cheese to go around - and that's before you've even dunked smoked sausage into a fondue-style baked Vacherin. For those who want to keep it simple (the term is relative), however, the cheese toastie - pumped with Taleggio, cheddar and truffle, and served with potato chips and pickles - is the go. Continental Deli, 210 Australia St, Newtown, NSW, (02) 8624 3131, continentaldelicatessen.com.au
MELBOURNE
Ides
Peter Gunn's cheese sandwich at Ides might be the Met Gala of cheese toasties: a big-flavoured, dressed-to-impress designer toastie. It starts with sesame sourdough fried in butter. That's topped with Heidi raclette that's been mixed with some anise oil, compressed in a bag and thrown in boiling water until it's soft and warm through. (Stay with us.) The cheese is then topped with pomegranate seeds and mandolin-cut rhubarb that's been flash-cooked in the oven with coconut oil. Next comes a dressing of hibiscus vinegar and chilli oil. And then you eat it. Ides, 92 Smith St, Collingwood, Vic, (03) 9939 9542, idesmelbourne.com.au
Bar Liberty
Meet the GLT: a kosher BLT made using gribenes - crunchy fried chicken skin - in place of bacon on sliced white. This is the stuff Sunday brunch dreams are made of, and you won't miss the bacon one bit when you're knocking back a few glasses of chenin blanc or skin-fermented riesling. Bar Liberty, 234 Johnston St, Fitzroy, Vic, barliberty.com
Marion
The plan might only be to drop in for a pre- or post-dinner drink at Marion, but do yourself a solid: if there's a toasted sandwich on the menu, order it. It could be four fingers of fried Baker D Chirico soft white stuffed with house-made cow's milk cheese, Dijon, confit onion and smoked pork sausage from Meatsmith, or the equally satisfying fried mortadella and gentleman's relish ciabatta. Dynamite stuff. Marion, 51-53 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, Vic, (03) 9419 6262, marionwine.com.au
The cheese toastie at Continental Deli
PERTH
Budburst
The croque-monsieur: also known as the king of toasted sandwiches. At Budburst, the cheese is Gruyère, the leg ham is juicy and the whole croque is enriched with generous quantities of béchamel before it's baked for maximum crunch and savour. And did we mention it's just eight bucks? Budburst, 406 Oxford St, Mt Hawthorn, WA, (08) 9444 3406, budburstsmallbar.com.au
BRISBANE
The Apo
There is plenty to explore on The Apo's extensive menu, but start with the three-cheese toastie made with raclette, Comté and Gruyère next to a small-batch vodka Martini from award-winning bartender Pez Collier. The chicken liver éclairs make for a fine next chapter, too. The Apo, Bakery Lane, 690 Ann St, Fortitude Valley, Qld, (07) 3252 2403, theapo.com.au
TASMANIA
MONA
You could go to The Source for a fancy lunch, sure. Or, for something a little snackier, stop in at the wine bar overlooking the lawns and split a "David's cheese sandwich, please" from executive chef Vince Trim. Smoked scamorza, toasted Comté, house-made tomato relish, onion jam and grain mustard call Pigeon Hole Bakery's light rye home. An accompanying Moo Brew is optional, but encouraged. MONA, 655 Main Rd, Berriedale, Hobart, Tas, (03) 6277 9900, mona.net.au
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  • undefined: Pat Nourse, Max Veenhuyzen, Maggie Scardifield, Michael Harden