Biota Dining & Rooms

Biota did a pop-up at Chippendale and we had a great dinner. The modern Australian food was rustic and delicious, designed to eat with your hands, which made for an intimate meal. The waitresses were whimsical and the food moreish. There weren’t many wait staff and parking was limited, but neither got in the way of the meal or the experience.

You’ll need to book weeks ahead, and I’d been looking forward to this for weeks myself. Our table was nicely set away from others, and the quiet room made it easy for my partner and me to have a proper conversation. We enjoyed ourselves enough that we started thinking of it as a possible wedding reception venue. Ash, our host, was a blessing and took care of everything, making sure I always had a drink. The host and waiters struck a great balance between being attentive and giving us space. The waiters explained every ingredient in each dish so vividly that we were practically salivating before they’d finished. The bartender made an impressive espresso martini, and the chefs brought food out too, which gave a sense of team spirit. We upgraded to the seven-course set menu. It was a bit uneven, but there were some real winners: the kangaroo jaffles, 48-hour roasted pears and the delicious assortment of entrees. There’s a good range of local wines and inventive cocktails, and the elderflower cocktail was a lovely palate cleanser to start the evening. If the pricing concerns you, do your research first. The cost is expected, and it’s hard to enjoy yourself if you’re preoccupied with it. Thanks to Ash and the Biota Team for a memorable, lovely and delicious evening. JG.

Flies were everywhere inside, including at my table, and they made the meal horrible. For a fine dining restaurant, I’d expect not to have flies around. The entree was average and a bit dry, and I’d have liked more sauce. The fish main was bitter, too dry despite the oil on it, and had no taste. I’d asked for no dairy, yet there was a big blob of cream underneath all the food. I expected more from a hatted restaurant and definitely won’t return.

The rooms attached to the restaurant were comfortable and beautifully decorated, and the staff and ambience were fantastic. Just be aware the shower floods the bathroom. Breakfast was amazing, especially the phenomenal baked eggs. At dinner, we both liked the Kangaroo Jaffles best. The cocktails were intriguing and highly recommended, and the food overall was delicious and a little experimental. Not every dish was a winner, but each was exciting and interesting, with a lot of effort clearly put into it. A good choice if that kind of meal appeals to you, or if you need somewhere to stay in Bowral.