Frank and Blanco, Sutherland

Don’t let the coffee machine at the front fool you. Frank and Blanco is Sydney’s newest tequila bar and you’ll find it in the Sutherland Shire.

Frank and Blanco, Sutherland

Located along a busy strip along the Old Princes Highway, you’ll find the bar with seating at the front leading onto an alley kitchen and a dining area with booths at the back. Murals by local artist Lucas Eggleston along with bare bricks and down lights give the venue a modern feel.

Bartenders Brendon Hill and Shahir Galal are the duo behind Frank and Blanco, having taken a Kickstarter campaign to open their first venue. The name is a hybrid where Frank is an alter ego among friends for whoever worked in the kitchen, and Blanco, of course refers to tequila.

The drinks menu features a ten strong list of tequila cocktails at $15.50 starting with the easily quaffable Tommys Margarita made with Tequila Arette Reposado, fresh lime juice and agave syrup.

Tommys Margarita

All syrups are made in house with the exception of orgeat and the house ginger beer, used in the Drunken Mule cocktails is the best ever tasted.

Chasing Dreams

Another top cocktail is Chasing Dreams named after the artist’s mural and combines pineapple juice with Herradura Reposado, Ginger Liqueur, pineapple juice, triple sec and
fresh lime juice.

The inventive food menu by Head Chef Thomas Stott (ex est.) is tequila-based with mains capped at $28 and dishes designed to be shared in convivial surrounds.

Tacos

The tacos comes in pairs ($15 for 2), all with flavoursome fillings and all good to order again. Choose from the Spiced Pulled Pork Taco with tomato salsa, Pulled Beef Taco with shaved red cabbage and tequila pimento pepper sauce and the must-have Soft Shell Crab Taco with siracha mayo, coriander, papaya and apple.

F&B Corn on the Cob

F&B Corn on the Cob ($8) is nicely charred, mildly spiced and comes with a smoked paprika mayo and shavings of Parmesan cheese.

El Diablo Prawns

From the entrees, El Diablo Prawns ($17) are not to be missed. Six plump prawns are marinated then ever so lightly battered and well seasoned before they’re cooked and served with spicy harissa and lime and coriander soy for dipping.

F&B Spiced Charred Chicken

From the mains, F&B Spiced Charred Chicken ($25) is succulent and tender with good char on a bed of puffed wild rice and charred corn salsa.

Tequila and Lime Ocean Trout

The go-t0 dish is the Tequila and Lime Ocean Trout ($25) with charred corn salsa, micro parsley and aceite de oliva. The fish has been cured with Arette Blanco Tequila before it is cooked to a crispy skin then served medium rare and beautifully pink in the middle.

Tequila and Lime Pannacotta

When it comes to dessert, the Tequila and Lime Pannacotta ($15) wins the day. Silky smooth with a hint of sharpness from the lime and tequila, the pannacotta comes crowned with orange sherbet and a side of passionfruit consomme and fresh berries.

Frank and Blanco ticks all the right boxes for a tequila bar offering great cocktails and tasty Mexican inspired food that is value for money. One could easily be somewhere in Surry Hills or Darlinghurst but it’s the Sutherland Shire’s turn to reap the benefits. If you’re not from the area, the venue’s ideal location opposite the train station makes it an easy commute.

Dinner service starts nightly from 6pm with lunch service to follow soon. Frank and Blanco have already proved popular with the locals so it is best to book ahead.

Frank and Blanco
790 Old Princes Hwy
Sutherland NSW 2232
www.frankandblanco.com.au