When I was at the Merivale Winter Feasts launch party a few weeks ago, I was most impressed by Mad Cow’s GFC-friendly offering. But after a rather disappointing experience at Peter Doyle’s est., I became a little cynical about visiting the Ivy’s New York inspired steak house.

With a little hand-holding from my girlfriend, we made a booking for Friday night. That morning, the reservations department gave us a call and offered a complimentary chauffeur ride to the Ivy for dinner. Was this the proverbial olive branch to restore my faith in Merivale Winter Feasts?

Mad Cow

Mad Cow


At 5:50pm that night, a gorgeous white Bentley pulled up to pick us up. It was definitely a sight for sore eyes after a long Friday at work.

A taste of the good life

A taste of the good life

While I tried my best to grill our driver, Glenn about the selection criteria for the chaffeur service – he remained tight lipped about the affair. “All by random,” he maintains. Random or not, I must congratulate Merivale for this fantastic extra – it is a point of difference that sets it apart from other top notch restaurants around the city.

Moooooo

Moooooo

But was the food good enough to bring me back?

Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes! I’m proud to stand up and say that I’m a Mad Cow convert.

Rangers valley wagyu flank steak w/ barbeque sauce

Rangers valley wagyu flank steak w/ barbeque sauce

This was one of most succulent and tender steaks I’ve had in Sydney. With a marble factor of 7+, the meat melts in your mouth and has a rich, layered flavour that develops as you chew it (slowly I might add). Sure it’s an extra $5 supplement, but considering that 200g of the real deal wagyu steak costs $70, the small investment is well worth it!

Braised wagyu beef cheeks, mushroom, celeriac, broad beans

Braised wagyu beef cheeks, mushroom, celeriac, broad beans

The wagyu beef cheeks are just as tender – cooked so well it almost falls apart when touched lightly. Stacked on top of a tower of mushroom and celeriac, the beef cheeks are juicy, moist and drenched with flavour.

Shoestring fries

Shoestring fries - $6

Cauliflower gratin

Cauliflower gratin - $9

Rosemary garlic fried potatoes

Rosemary garlic fried potatoes - $6

Baby green beans, mint, lemon, feta

Baby green beans, mint, lemon, feta - $8

We weren’t overly excited by the dessert selection on the Winter Feasts menu at Mad Cow. They were very ordinary, but still a nice way to end what was a fantastic meal.

Crisp meringue, raspberry sorbet, blueberry compote

Crisp meringue, raspberry sorbet, blueberry compote

Poached quince, cinnamon crème

Poached quince, cinnamon crème

Apologies for the appalling photos in this post – it will be the last time I leave my SLR at home!

Note – Merivale’s Winter Feasts promotion is available Mondays to Fridays from 12-2pm and 6-8pm.

Mad Cow
The Ivy
320 George Street
Sydney City
# 02 9240 3000
www.merivalewinterfeasts.com