brasserie food with a modern french twist!

Bistro style food is increasingly becoming popular due to the quality of food that has significantly improved and become a trend over the past couple of years. Bistro food isn’t just about schnitzels and steak, but has also ventured out into other cultural cuisines. Bistro food isn’t like what it used to be (cheap cuts of meat for a bargain price). These days consumers are pickier and food has become a sociable trend where food and drinks seem to matter most when entertaining a group of people. Food was great which is why I returned for a second time introducing mates with their surprisingly good food.

Helm bar is another hidden treasure (even I didn’t know about its modern french influence). With its new look, great menu and amazing new French Chef - Frederic Booms, food here is great value for money with two menus which consist of dishes for those penny saving pockets and the other menu for those who wouldn’t mind spending a bit more for something amazing.

If your wondering how Helm Bar compares with other brasserie bars.. my personal opinion the food here is definitely one of a kind thanks to its mouth watering fancier standards with generous portions that are delicious thanks to Federic’s expertise.

Vegetarian tart – roasted vegetables, tomatoes, olives and port reduction
Brilliant vegetarian dish with so much flavour. Base is buttery puff pastry and roasted vegetables such as eggplant, tomato, mushrooms, onion. Taste of roasted vegetables is what made this vegetarian delight delicious. The smokey grilled sensation from the eggplant (or what tasted like eggplant) won us over. My companion (B) ate all 80% of it because of how much he thoroughly enjoyed it.

300g black angus scotch fillet char-grilled with fries and green peppercorn sauce with the side of shoe-string fries
Generous 300g portion of beef especially for the bargain price! Lean cut of Angus beef which was cooked to perfection leaving the flesh soft and tender. Definately a winner for the blokes!

Helm lamb & veal shanks pie with peas, potato mash and jus
Eyeing (J)’s choice across the table, I almost offered to swap meals LOL! Damn pie! why did you have to be so god damn good looking??Pastry was to die for thanks to the buttery tasty pastry. The pie had a mushroom and gravy filling with big chunks of Lamb / veal shanks which were extremely tender. Definitely must try try this winter!

Thai mussels made with coriander, ginger, chilli, lemongrass and coconut milk with a side of shoestring fries

Another must have for this winter! Mussels are back in this year and Helm bar have all you can eat mussels for $19.95 during the weekday so check it out! Mussels came in huge a black pot which I thought I was never going to finish. Being overwhelmed by the shells it was actually a piece of cake to finish! Mussels were Thai infused with delicious coconut milk and coriander and ginger. Coconut milk was quite delicious that I saw a number of people sipping the coconut soup at the bottom ^_^

Black angus beef sausages with mash potatoes, onion jam and jus
(B) made a plan to try the sausages. After our first visit he was torn between the steak and bangers. Sausages were lean meaning a sign of good quality and the mash potato was smooth and creamy.

Beer battered fish and chips with tartare sauce and shoestring fries
If im sitting near water, I have a thing about ordering seafood. I felt like fish and chips considering i hadn’t had a good piece of beer battered fish in a while. Fish was generous and the batter was crunchy and tasty! Definately perfect for a saturday lunch!

180g wagyu beef with red onion, marinated tomato, cheese, bacon and lettuce on a crispy soft sesame seed bun
I’ve read great reviews about the wagyu beef burger so (M) thought it would be a brilliant idea to try it and compare it to the famous Plan B wagyu burger. Wagyu beef patty was very tasty and the bacon took this burger to a different level thanks to the added flavour. How does it compare? This burger is much lighter without making one feel gluggy or heavy the mince was lean which which made it satisfying. Definitely a great burger and it’s good a cheap lunch!

Crumbed chicken schnitzel burger with bacon cheese, tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise
At first i thought this would be a normal burger but without realising there was bacon in here I was very excited! Crumbed chicken was absolutely delicious. Definitely screams out fresh and not something out of a frozen tray of pre-made supermarket schnitzel. The bacon with the melted cheese made it scream for more and the BREAD.. ZOMGGG the bread roll is BOMB!!!

* pigged-out dined as a guest of Helm Group.

Helm Bar
Aquarium Wharf,
Wheat Road
Darling Harbour, NSW 2000
P: (02) 9290 1571