Darlinghurst's Modern Sri Lankan
Lankan Filling Station on Riley Street is O Tama Carey's Darlinghurst Sri Lankan — properly-spiced regional curries, hoppers from the open kitchen, and the most carefully-conceived Sri Lankan programme outside Colombo.
The cooking is regional Sri Lankan at restaurant standards: spice blends made in-house from whole spices, hoppers from the open kitchen, considered seasonal vegetable curries, and the kind of regional discipline that the cuisine demands.
What to Order
Hoppers from the open kitchen — the dish the room is built around. Crab curry when on; regional vegetable curries in the day's preparation. The cocktail programme uses Sri Lankan spices creatively.
The Format
The dining room is small and casual. Counter seating handles walk-ins; the dining room takes reservations.
Best Occasion: First Date
Lankan Filling Station is a quiet Darlinghurst first-date win. The cuisine provides natural conversation; the format is unintimidating; the price point allows a return visit. The Sri Lankan culinary register is distinctive enough to make the evening memorable.