| Cuisines | Café, Modern Australian |
| Dining style | Casual Elegant |
| Phone number | +61 2 9699 2225 |
| Website | thegrounds.com.au |
| Dress code | Smart Casual |
| Payment options | AMEX, MasterCard, Visa |
| Executive chef | Paul McGrath |
| Location | 500 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000 |
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4.2 based on 718 reviews
interior (1)
The Grounds of the City
| Cuisine type | Café | |
| Price range | $40 and under | |
| Neighborhood | Sydney CBD |
Make a reservation
Mon 11/29
2 guests
7:30 PM
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+61 296 992 225
About The Grounds of the City
The Grounds of the City, the second outpost from the team behind The Grounds of Alexandria, is bringing soul back to the CBD with old-school service and charm.
Located in the heart of the CBD and bustling with activity, The Grounds of the City is tailor-made for a marvellous time; no matter the occasion.
Start your day right as our baristas expertly serve up The Grounds house-roasted espresso and filter coffees, or end it in the best possible way and cosy in with our selection of cocktails and a dinner menu that features something for everyone.
You’ll find our coffee sommelier at The Barista’s Bar ready to take you through a tailored coffee experience, and our tea lady roaming the room with a trolley adorned with fresh coffee, our selection of ethically sourced teas and cakes.
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Menus
- Breakfast
- Lunch and Dinner
- Cocktails and Wine
- Coffee
- Set Menu
Main
| Freshly Baked Buttermilk Hotcake | $21.00 | with mixed berries, mascarpone and pistachios |
| Brioche French Toast | $19.00 | with ricotta, fresh strawberries, honeycomb and macadamia brittle |
| Warm 5 Grain Porridge** | $17.00 | with spice poached quince, blackberries and sheep's milk yoghurt |
| 3 Egg Omelette | $22.00 | with wild mushrooms, artichokes, pancetta and raclette |
| Grounds Green Brekkie Bowl** | $19.00 | with white quinoa, avocado, Brussels sprouts, charred broccolini, blistered peppers, halloumi, free-range poached egg, kefir, roasted nuts and seeds |
| Warm Chilli Roasted Corn and Millet Brekkie Bowl | $19.00 | with avocado, sprout slaw, tomato concasse, pine nuts and fried egg |
| Tea Soaked Winter Fruit Salad | $16.00 | with gluten-free granola, pomegranate, cinnamon and almond yoghurt |
| Eggs on Toast* | $14.00 | poached, scrambled or fried |
| Choice of Seeded, Wholemeal, Sourdough, Thick-Cut Fruit Toast or Housemade Croissant | $8.00 | from The Grounds Bakery with cultured butter and spreads |
The Bakery Basket
| The Bakery Basket | $16.00 | The Grounds continental selection of freshly baked pastries with house-made preserves, cultured butter and whipped mascarpone |
Something a Little Heartier
| Steak & Eggs* ** | $26.00 | seared fillet steak with sautéed mushrooms, onions, spinach, hash brown and chimichurri |
| Grilled Rainbow Trout* | $22.00 | with dill hollandaise, scrambled egg and wholemeal crumpet |
| Brekkie Burger* ** | $20.00 | bacon, pork sausage, fried egg, avocado, tomato salsa and spicy green sauce on a pretzel bun |
| Chunky Potato Hash | $20.00 | with herbed portobello mushrooms, manchego, sautéed kale and poached free-range eggs |
| Ratatouille Baked Eggs with Toasted Crumpet* | $22.00 | with zucchini, tomato, eggplant and kale & cashew pesto |
| Smashed Avocado and Heirloom Tomatoes* ** | $22.00 | on sourdough toast with goats curd and a poached free-range egg |
| Poached Chicken, Shiitake, Spring Onion and Brown Rice Savoury Porridge | $22.00 | with sesame, seaweed and soft cooked egg |
Sides
| 1/2 Avocado with Lemon | $4.50 | |
| Maple Streaky Bacon | $6.00 | |
| 2 Free-Range Eggs | $6.00 | poached, scrambled or fried |
| Italian Pork Sausage | $6.00 | |
| Sourdough Toast | $4.00 | |
| Basil Roasted Vine-Ripened Tomatoes | $4.50 | |
| Citrus Cured Ocean Trout | $7.00 | |
| Herbed Portobello Mushrooms | $5.00 |
Drinks
Juice
| Morning Sunshine | $9.00 | Watermelon, pineapple, orange, passionfruit |
| Clean Green | $9.00 | Pineapple, spinach, cucumber, lime, apple |
| Trusty Rusty | $9.00 | Carrot, strawberry, red apple, ginger |
| Straight Up | $8.00 | Choice of OJ or grapefruit |
Smoothies & Shakes
| Classic Banana Shake | $9.00 | |
| Rose & Watermelon Shake | $9.00 | Watermelon, rose and vanilla ice-cream |
| Tropical Smoothie | $9.00 | Coconut sorbet, passionfruit, pineapple, mango, banana and coconut cream |
| Açaí Smoothie | $9.00 | Our secret blend of antioxidant-rich ingredients |
Perhaps Something with Bubbles
House-Made Soda
| Orange & Cherry | $8.00 | |
| Strawberry & Basil | $8.00 | |
| Lemonade | $8.00 | Choice of classic, raspberry or lemon, lime and bitters |
Soft
| Coke | $4.50 | |||
| Coke No Sugar | $4.50 | |||
| Antipodes | Still or sparkling water |
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Small Plates
| Coral Sea Moreton Bay Bug Tails | $21.00 | roasted with garlic and herb butter, served with aioli and lemon | ||||
| Country Style Pork & Truffle Terrine* | $22.00 | with pickled mushrooms and warm baguette | ||||
| Roasted Bone Marrow | $23.00 | with braised oxtail and green onion pancake | ||||
| Freshly Shucked Rock and Pacific Oysters | with your choice of yuzu & sesame or cucumber & chardonnay vinegar |
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| Hand-Tied Local Burrata* | $19.00 | with sweet dates, pistachios, sumac and flat breads | ||||
| Lobster Brandade* | $23.00 | with pickled persimmon, zucchini, toast and sumac | ||||
| Crispy Fried 5 Spice Arrow Squid | $22.00 | with burnt pineapple, fermented cabbage and aioli | ||||
| Marrickville Buffalo Mozzarella Salad* | $18.00 | with brioche, olive crusts, heirloom tomatoes, basil and mint | ||||
| Ginger Charred Cuttlefish Brochettes | $19.00 | with daikon, coriander, soy and sesame | ||||
| Spanish Anchovies* | $21.00 | with sourdough toast, tomatoes and piquillos |
Salads
| Veggie Ploughman's Salad | $24.00 | with roasted pumpkin, green lentils, cheddar, yoghurt, piccalilli and nut & seed bread |
| Poke Salad | $22.00 | with black rice, cucumber, edamame, broccoli and avocado, coriander, lime and coconut |
| Grain, Seed and Roasted Root Salad* | $22.00 | with buttermilk, avocado and almonds |
Mains
| Fresh Egg Bucatini Pasta | $25.00 | with cauliflower, pecorino, truffle butter and soft cooked free-range egg |
| Wagyu Corned Beef Sandwich | $25.00 | with Swiss cheese, slaw, beetroot, pickles and Russian dressing |
| Grain-Fed Beef Burger* | $25.00 | with cheddar, tomato, pickles, mayo, smoky relish, cos and shoestring fries |
| Braised Venison Shoulder Ragu Pappardelle | $28.00 | with wild mushrooms, radicchio and horseradish chantilly |
| Oakey Reserve Flank Steak Sandwich | $26.00 | with onion rings, aged cheddar, horseradish and The Grounds garden radish salad |
| Bouillabaisse | $34.00 | with rouget, leatherjacket, scallop, prawn, strawberry clams and mussels with rouille croutons |
From the Grill
| 280gm Ranger's Valley Wagyu Rost Biff Steak** | $38.00 | with hand-cut chips and béarnaise sauce |
| 350gm Cape Grim Pasture-Fed T-Bone Steak** | $39.00 | with Café de Paris butter and braised winter greens |
| Gremolata Crumbed Veal Cutlet | $32.00 | with parmesan pistou, ratatouille and caper butter |
| Roasted Free-Range Chicken Breast | $29.00 | with celeriac and Jerusalem artichoke risotto, hazelnuts and roasted sprouts |
| Kurobuta Pork Loin Chop | $29.00 | with braised savoy cabbage and burnt apple puree |
Sides
| Shoestring Fries** | $8.00 | with malt vinegar and parmesan |
| Sautéed Potatoes | $9.00 | with chives, gruyère and pastrami |
| Avocado | $9.00 | cucumber, radish and cottage cheese salad |
| Steamed Greens** | $9.00 | with toasted almonds and lemon crème fraîche |
| Wild Mushrooms | $10.00 | kale and spinach à la crème |
| Chopped Salad | $9.00 | with butter lettuce, sorrel leaves, mandarin oil and buttermilk dressing |
Drinks
Juice
| Morning Sunshine | $9.00 | Watermelon, pineapple, orange, passionfruit |
| Clean Green | $9.00 | Pineapple, spinach, cucumber, lime, apple |
| Trusty Rusty | $9.00 | Carrot, strawberry, red apple, ginger |
| Straight Up | $8.00 | Choice of OJ or grapefruit |
House-Made Soda
| Orange & Cherry | $8.00 | |
| Strawberry & Basil | $8.00 | |
| Lemonade | $8.00 | Choice of classic, raspberry or lemon, lime and bitters |
Smoothies & Shakes
| Classic Banana Shake | $9.00 | |
| Rose & Watermelon Shake | $9.00 | Watermelon, rose and vanilla ice cream |
| Tropical Smoothie | $9.00 | Coconut sorbet, passionfruit, pineapple, mango, banana and coconut cream |
| Açaí Smoothie | $9.00 | Our secret blend of antioxidant-rich ingredients |
Soft
| Coke | $4.50 | |||
| Coke No Sugar | $4.50 | |||
| Antipodes | Still or sparkling water |
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Beer & Cider
| Hillbilly Scrumpy Cider |
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| Stone and Wood Pacific Ale |
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| Estrella Damm Lager |
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| Cricketers Arms Summer Ale |
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| Mountain Goat Organic Steam Ale |
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Cocktails
| The Grounds Espresso Martini | $19.00 | A classic that never grows old, combining our love of coffee and the love of ending the day in the best possible way |
| Galeries G&T | $12.00 | Gin, refreshing tonic water and a burst of citrus |
| The Slim Jim | $18.00 | Pirates may pillage & plunder but every now and then they stop and appreciate the finer things, like spiced rum with passionfruit! |
| Bloody Spicy Mary | $20.00 | You guessed it, a Bloody Mary with a bit of ring-a-ding-ding. A cocktail with the kinda zing that will make you sing |
| Green Chartreuse | $20.00 | An aromatic blend of sweet and fresh. Tequila, chartreuse, apple juice, lime and mint |
| Grounds Mule | $20.00 | Spiced rum, ginger and lime. This will kick you right into the Caribbean sea for that holiday you're only dreaming of |
The Grounds Wine
Sparkling
| Prosecco, La Riva de Frati, NV Veneto, Italy |
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| Cuvee Method Traditionelle Barringwood, NV Barrington, TAS |
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| Brut, Pol Roger Brut, NV Eperney, France |
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White
| Semillon, Brokenwood, 2016 Hunter Valley, NSW |
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| Riesling, Earthworks, 2016 Eden Valley, SA |
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| Pinot Grigio, Tiefenbrunner, 2016 Alto Adige, Italy |
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| Schonburger, Barringwood, 2014 Barrington, TAS |
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| Pinot Gris, Bleasdale, 2017 Adelaide Hills, SA |
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| Sauvignon Blanc, Greywacke, 2016 Marlbourough, NZ |
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| Chardonnay, Tarrawarra Estate, 2015 Yarra Valley, VIC |
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| Chardonnay, Collector 'Tiger Tiger', 2016 Canberra District |
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Rosé
| Triennes Rose, 2016 Provence, France |
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| Sangiovese Rose, Collector Shoreline, 2017 Canberra District |
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| Rockford Alicante Bouchet Rosé, 2015 Barrosa Valley, SA |
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Red
| Malbec, Catena, 2014 Mendoza, Argentina |
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| Shiraz, Heirloom Barossa, 2015 Barossa Valley, SA |
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| Cabernet Sauvignon, Yalumba 'The Cigar', 2013 Coonawarra, SA |
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| Sangiovese, Lark Hill Biodynamic, 2017 Canberra District |
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| Pinot Noir, Fromm La Strada, 2016 Marlborough, NZ |
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| Pinot Noir, Two Paddocks, 2016 Central Otago, NZ |
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| Shiraz, Collector Marked Tree, 2014 Canberra District |
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| Cabernet Sauvignon, Hayshed Hill,2015 Margaret River, WA |
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| Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz, Yalumba 'The Signature', 2013 Barossa Valley, SA |
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Dessert & Fortified
| Moscato, Alasia D'asti, 2016 Piedmont, Italy |
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| Sherry, Aldespino Yellow Label Pedro Ximinez, NA Jerez, Spain |
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Beer & Cider
| Estrella Damm |
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| Peroni |
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| Pinot Grigio |
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| Cricketers Summer Ale |
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| Hillbilly Scrumpy Cider |
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Lark Hill 'MRV' Biodynamic, 2015
| Lark Hill 'mrv' Biodynamic, 2015 | Lark Hill is one of the founding estates of the Canberra District, planted 40 years ago at the highest and coldest vineyard sites. Lark Hill has moved into new frontiers, transitioning into Biodynamic farming, and experimenting with alternate varieties and winemaking styles to create wines without chemical inputs while retaining their unique vineyard identity. A finalist in the 2017 Young Gun of Wine Awards |
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The Grounds Cocktails
| Strawberry and Basil Smash | $18.00 | Fresh basil, strawberry and vodka. When this trio dance, everyone stops for a geeze |
| Grounds Mule | $20.00 | Spiced rum, ginger and lime. This Russian mule will kick you right into the Caribbean sea for that holiday that right now you're only dreaming of. Sweet dreams! |
| Espresso Martini | $18.50 | A classic that never grows old, combining our love of coffee and the love of ending the day right |
| The Grounds Negroni | $19.00 | An italian classic both bitter and bright. Vermouth, peppercorn infused gin and campari combined for a 'molto bene' time |
| Green Chartreuse | $20.00 | An aromatic blend of sweet and fresh. Tequila, chartreuse, apple juice, lime and mint |
| Campari & Grapefruit | $16.00 | Bitter-sweet, say hello to tangy. Now hold hands. They lived happily ever after |
| The Pink Flamingo | $20.00 | This slender bird will tickle you pink. Do not try and stand on one leg after drinking this delightful combination of citrus and vodka |
| The Slim Jim | $18.00 | Pirates may pillage & plunder but every now and then they stop and appreciate the finer things. Don't shoot, I'm drinking a spiced rum with passionfruit! |
| Bloody Spicy Mary | $20.00 | You guessed it, a Bloody Mary with a bit of ringa ding ding. A cocktail with the kinda zing that will make you sing |
| Rosé Bouquet | $18.00 | Rosé and rose (and a little bit of gin), one's French the other is English. Fortunately these two get on just fine, in a cocktail that's both light and sophisticated |
Served the Way You like It
| Black Coffee |
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| White (Milk Coffee) |
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| Batch Brew |
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| Batch Brew (Bottomless Cup) |
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| Chai Latte |
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The Grounds Coffee & Hot Beverages
| Deconstructed Mocha | $7.00 | |
| Deconstructed Hot Choc | $7.00 | |
| Affogato | $7.00 | House-made Tiramisu ice-cream with milk chocolate crust and espresso, finished with natural popping candy |
Served the Way You like It
| Black Coffee |
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| White | Milk Coffee |
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| Batch Brew |
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| Batch Brew | Bottomless Cup |
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| Chai Latte |
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To Perfect and Serve
| Iced Coffee | $7.00 | |
| Iced Chocolate | $7.00 | |
| Iced Mocha | $7.00 | |
| Cold Drip | Cold filtered water is set to drip over coffee grounds for eight hours to deliver a brew that's syrupy, rich in flavour and very low in acidity | |
| Pour Over | The pour over filter method results in an incredibly clean cup with superb clarity | |
| Tasting Board | $15.00 | A selection of our Single Origin coffees. A unique sensory experience for the palate featuring the diversity of our Barista's favourite coffees of the day |
Finest The Grounds Teas
| English Breakfast | A rich and stimulating blend of high grown Ceylon teas perfect for your morning wake up cuppa, with or without milk | |
| 50 Sips of Grey | Our take on a classic – high grown Ceylon tea blended with citrusy bergamot, marigold and cornflower | |
| Moroccan Gunpowder | An invigorating blend of Chinese gunpowder green tea with lemon peel and peppermint. A soothing, antioxidant-rich brew | |
| Peppermint | Straight up, coarsely cut premium peppermint – an ideal cleansing, digestive tisane | |
| Lemongrass & Ginger | A delicious, uplifting infusion of lemongrass, ginger, mint, calendula petals and fennel seeds | |
| Nasheman Chai | A regional spiced blend of handcrushed whole spices and bold Assam tea designed to transport you all the way to the Nasheman Hotel in Hyderabad! |
Take Life One Sip at a Time
| Fluffy Sponge Cake | $9.00 | Three-layered light chiffon sponge cake with orange and mascarpone chantilly, seasonal fruit and topped with toasted coconut flakes | ||
| Cake of the Week | $9.00 | Ask about our weekly cake special | ||
| Tea, Coffee & Cake | Enjoy your slice of cake with a cup of tea or batch brew coffee |
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Fresh Pastries Baked Daily
| Strawberry Tart | Shortcrust base with vanilla custard and fresh strawberries | |
| Chocolate Brownie | Dark chocolate brownie with toasted walnuts and dark chocolate ganache. (May include peanuts) | |
| Passionfruit Cheesecake | Polenta and lemon biscuit with passionfruit cream cheese and coulis |
For the Office or Home
| For the Office or Home |
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Made with Hand and Heart
| Lime & Meringue Tartlet | $7.50 | Lime crèmeux, sablés and lemon moelleux |
| Eclair | $7.50 | Choux pastry with vanilla cream and the chef 's selection of fillings |
| Salted Caramel & Chocolate Tart | $7.50 | Chocolate sablés with chocolate moelleux, salted caramel, nutella crèmeux and a vanilla mascarpone cream top |
| Choc Raspberry Mousse | $7.50 | Crunchy almond base with milk chocolate mousse, raspberry crèmeux and dacquoise |
| The Grounds Cake for Two | $14.00 | Ask the Tea Lady for our current special cake, perfect to share or take home |
On Arrival
| Warm Grounds Bakery Sourdough | with butter | |
| Optional - Freshly Shucked Pacific and Rock Oysters | with cucumber & chardonnay vinegar $4 each/pp |
Entrees
| Kangaroo Tartare | with stracciatella, caper berries, mandarin oil and wattleseed blinis | |
| Lobster Beignet Brioche Buns | with jalapeño, creamy celeriac remoulade and coriander | |
| Veggie Ploughman's Salad | with roasted pumpkin, green lentils, cheddar, yoghurt, roasted tomato chutney and nut & seed bread |
Main
| Pickled and Roasted Beetroot Gemelli Pasta | with Midnight Moon sheep's cheese, walnuts and radicchio | |
| Chirashi Style Salad | with yellowfin tuna tartare, edamame beans, brown rice, plum seaweed and white sesame | |
| Cape Grim Grass-Fed Scotch Fillet | with Lyonnaise kipfler potatoes, thyme and onion and béarnaise sauce |
Sides
| Steamed Greens | with toasted almonds and lemon crème fraîche | |
| Kale | gruyère and burnt onion gnocchetti sardi gratin | |
| Avocado | cucumber, radish and cottage cheese salad |
Dessert
| Pastry Chef's Selection of Desserts or Cheese Selection | with condiments and crackers |
Reviews and ratings
4.2
Excellent
Based on 718 reviews
Noise level
Moderate
4.2
Food
4.1
Service
4.4
Ambiance
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