Lady Carolina

When I moved further north earlier this year I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to commute a fair way to find a decent slightly-​fancy-​pants meal. It’s simply the price one must pay for wanting to own a home in such an expensive city, right?
Wrong! It seems that this area of Brunswick is starting to hot up with new restaurants and cafes opening semi regularly. I like to think that they’re following the crowd of cool kids and also delude myself in to believing that I am the leader of the cool kids.
Anyway, I digress.
The announcement that a Latin American Restaurant was opening near to my hood was news that really made my week. I waited patiently for it to open and then descended upon it within the first week for date night.
It’s a risky move trying out something new in the early days, but hey I was desperate for a Pisco Sour and a Taco. On my first visit I left most impressed with the variety of vegetable based dishes that Paul Wilson had created for the menu. I’m a regular meat-​o-​saur kind of gal, but I really do love vegetables and think it’s great to see a menu filled with varied dishes that showcase humble vegetables in beautiful ways. Think: giant carrots cooked in mole sauce, tiny wee potatoes smoked and served with varied sauce, charred broccoli and jicama salad, multiple versions of guacamole (all good), and tacos filled with jackfruit.
I’ve since been back to Lady Carolina for Sunday lunch with friends, and family dinners with Miss 5 (she ate loads of guac and pork tacos) and each time the flavours have been interesting and innovative. Service is improving (it was a little «new» at the start) and portions and prices are equalising (to begin with they were very generous, now they’re a bit smaller with prices remaining the same), and the consistency of the mainstay dishes is getting better
This Brunswick local is starting to find it’s feet and it’s well worth a visit if you’re a local, especially to the courtyard out back where the atmosphere is more laid back and the drinks and snack prices a little gentler on your wallet.
Pro tip: don’t miss the cocktails and get a Chill Bro Paleta for dessert!

So damn fantastic! Finially ate in tonight after hearing about this place and trying to not get our hopes up too high in advance, but it was so great! Such friendly, helpful staff. We had the lamb, an assortment of outstanding guacamole, fresh exotic salads and I’m so full! Can’t wait to get back and try the rest!

This is a new restaurant, great ambience, food is flavoursome. The guacamole and the calms ceviche rocks! The photos came out a lot nicer than what we could see due to the dim lights. The place was full for a Sunday nite and there is an area at the back where you could have a nice drinks.

Quite overpriced in the taqueria section … The tacos el pastor just aren’t made the same way as in Mexico; very very dry. Another staple of taquerias being the selection of home made salsas (not bottled) on the tables to add to your tacos… Nowhere to be found. Service also took an absolute age. Was disappointed but hope to try the main restaurant out to sample the even more pricey fair.

Lady Carolina is new in town yes. And I am very happy that she sits in my local as I can see many happy date nights here and waddling home happily.
Lady Caroline moved in when old Jimmi left the building and boy did she do a stellar job at making this place her own. It looks smashing and happening. Room divers are used cleverly to max space and soften noise. And I spy mini nook for intimate booth (s?) that I have not noticed before. Bar seatings are also better utilised and I think there is a lively vibe here that is clever and fun.
The venue is split into two. The dining room for Lady Caroline and the semi alfresco at the back for Lady Carolina kitchen where they serve more casual food. Astro turf are laid with benches, bar stools and bright high roofing. It feels almost like a rooftop meets backyard bar that serves amazing food.
Ah yes, food!
You couldn’t forget the food here. I couldn’t read anything on the menu but by god they are amazing. Flavoursome and punchy. The leche de Tigre is small although the price might fool you. At about $ 23 a plate of 2, it’s the most expensive of its kind in the menu. But get it. It tastes good and will wake up those tastebuds. The tuna ceviche is not like other tuna dishes I’ve tried. With betel leaves, lemongrass (?), kale and seaweed, I think it’s smart and super super tasty.
The patatas bravas is also slightly funkier than its peers, and the cauliflower comes served with coconut yoghurt. Again, it’s smart and inventive especially when you are starting to get sick of the usual cauliflower/​yoghurt/​sultanas combo.
Jerk chicken came about 45 min in so albeit it was good, we were a bit over it. Our lovely waitress took care of it the pro way and took care of dessert. The inca berry cocoa and salted caramel and sweet corn sundae were great and just the right end to the meal.
Service.
Two hosts, one amazing, one practicality ignored and won’t look at us after we asked about our tortoise chicken.
Waitresses, one was calm and collected and have a smile the whole night. Can’t say this was across the board though.
One waitress who delivered the food kept trying to push pass the hands and elbows and other waitress who was standing there just so she could put the plate somewhere. And didn’t matter where or who. She only ever spoke to one of our party to explain the dish and basically just repeated those fancy Latin names quickly. Yes I think this is rude and inexperienced and it bothers me. When you clear a table you should also look at the diners at least to confirm or to let people know you will be reaching over and around their faces.
I almost felt like I was intruding at their house.
Sour pisco are cool, sour waitresses are not.
Please lady Carolina, can you train your waitresses because I want to visit often and when I eat I prefer seeing smiles rather than being looked at nose down by my waitress.

I’ve said it once and I will say it again — God bess gentrification. I’ve recently moved in to Brunswick East and while I absolutely love it, I wish there was just a bit *more*.
Enter Lady Carolina.
This is the kind of venue you would expect to see down a laneway in the CBD or somewhere on Gertrude street — it is bright, colourful and serves tacos — what more could you ever possibly need?
The venue is split in two. The inside area is dark, intimate and fancy ie. perfect for a special date. While the outside is a feast for the eyes — astro turf, colourful hashtags splashed everywhere and a helluva lot of cactus, ie. perfect for a Sunday session with your mates.
We went in on a Saturday night and were greeted warmly by the host who told us they were booked out in the ‘fancy’ area, but we could easily snag a table out back, which to be honest is way more up my alley.
You order at the bar, where we went for a variety of tacos, the ceviche of the day and (obviously) a couple of margaritas. We were a bit confused at the plastic glasses the drinks were served in but alas, it is all part of this casual dining experience.
The food was UNbelievable. Fresh and flavoursome. I particularly recommend the pork and pineapple tacos. Wow.
The only thing that bugged me was that it was just a *touch* too quiet out the back considering the party atmosphere I think they are going for. A live band or louder music would really add to the atmos.
I am very much looking forward to heading back and experiencing the fancy section. Get that ceviche ready, guys. Imacomin’!