Hey Rosey
When I was younger, I worked in bars and restaurants for many years. The places I worked at were either mom and pop or high-end fine dining. So, as a complete contrast, when I would go out, I developed a taste for what has been become known as “dive bars”. Typically, a dive bar is a small, dark, funky little space. Some have a feeling of being grungy and dangerous, some feel like they are thrown together from stuff the owner found in their garage, some feel like they are a tribute to Priscilla Queen of the desert, some are country bars, metal bars, biker bars, they come in all types and flavors.
They may be whiskey bars or beer bars or in “Hey Rosey’s” case, a wine bar. Hey Rosey is a tiny little hole in the wall along the main street of Orange, slightly down the road from and opposite Mr Lim. The doorway is very easy to miss, and we have walked past it several times while actually searching for it. The bar reminds me very much of the bedroom of that cool friend you had in school. The lights are dim and the decor shambolic chic. A record player and record collection sit in pride of place as you walk in. The music is usually acoustic, sometimes jazz but is entirely funky.
The room is one long bar with a small (10ppl) slightly separate space at the far end. The bar is the kitchen and all of the food is made behind the bar. The menu is the same in the bar and the seated area.
The food is a combination of simple and reimagined complexity. Its wonderful. It is very easy to sit down and start to work your way through the extensive and unusual wine list and the tasting menu. I can highly recommend the Sourdough with whipped Miso butter and the French Onion soup. Sor any kiwis this is actually better than the flavor you grew up with, it tastes just like your childhood and then they have added a little texture of browned onion. I could just sit there and eat that all night.
The Buratta is fantastic, and I would die happy if the Beef Tartare was my last meal.
The space is tiny and if you had 20 people in there it would be packed. Its small enough that you could turn up with 10 friends and the bar is yours. The service is “your friendly local” kind of friendly. You are welcomed as you walk in the door, and you are free to find your own space. There is no pressure selling, you can sit and just have a glass of wine from the extensive wine list or a beer if you want.
If you go in with 5+ people I would recommend that you go straight to the magnum list and start there, it’s very easy to suck back 2-3 bottles so you may as well start big.
Hey Rosey is a fun experience, if you are just looking for a drink before dinner, just having a drink after work or eating in and sampling the excellent snack/tasting menu or exploring the innovative wine menu. If you are looking for fine dining, this isn’t it, but it is fun dining!
Scoring 17.5/20
We use the Sydney Morning Herald Scoring system for consistency.
The score is based on multiple visits to the restaurant for 2-3 years.
9/10 points for food
Deliciousness, technique, complexity, quality of produce, balance, presentation, consistency, style, innovation, integrity.
The food isnt complex, but it is simple and delicious!
4/5 points for hospitality
Attitude, friendliness, efficiency, pacing, attentiveness, professional skills, knowledge, COVID safety.
2.5/3 points for experience and setting
The "buzz" or "vibe", consistency, view, table spacing, noise levels, something extra (such as a kitchen garden or counter dining).
One note is that when Hey Rosey gets busy, it can get very noisy, and it can be very close packed.
2/2 points for value
Is it worth it? Everyone in Orange will recommend hey Rosey. We met a local Hotellier there for dinner after his shift finished. This is literally that recommendation you hear of “The Locals love it!”
