Ryan M.
Yelp
On my last remaining days in Sydney, one of my second cousins took me to one of her old hoods. This location was once place that I was, but not too familiar with. This place was world known as Santa Monica is to me. The place was Bondi and place to relax with the ocean in your view was at the North Bondi RSL Club.
When my cousin and I arrived to Bondi, it started pouring like the clouds didn't want to retain anymore water. She recommended going to a local club. When I thought club, I thought...Its the afternoon?! Then, I realized it was one of those high class vacation spots. For us Americans or foreign visitors, RSL stands for Returned and Services League of Australia. You can say its almost like one of those Legion Halls that we have in the United States, but are of high quality. Those who serve in Australia Defense Force deserve places like this and I am happy to have been here.
When we walked in, we had to sign in as Club Guests. I don't remember what the qualifications were be a member and/or as a guest. As a guest, I vaguely remember that you have to live further than ~5 miles from Bondi. After you sign in, you'll enter the main hall and you'll see the beautiful Bondi Beach despite the rain being a pain in the view. The main hall has a stage for live bands, but since it was the afternoon, the RSL was playing Rugby Games on the screen.
When you order food and drinks, you'll order from two different areas. The food will come from the far counter. I don't remember the exact prices, but they were specials for the day. I ordered the Thai Beef salad and I believe my cousin ordered a burger with fries. Sorry, I only have the photo for my dish. The food counter is the only counter that accepts credit card. When you head over to the bar, cash is the only form of payment accepted. I had a local Bondi beer which I should've gotten the name of.
We found a great spot to sit down at and the rain and the thunder tried to ruin the mood, but the ambiance was still intact. With the view of Bondi Beach and a very cool dining hall, we just let the rain do its business while we wait for our food. While we waited, a bird flew in to relax as well. Well, since the doors were open, I wonder if the bird filled out one of the guest forms. I know the bird was trying to grab some chips off of one of the employees ho was about to take a break. One of the other guests as well as my cousin and myself tried to get the bird out. We were successful.
Our food came out in very presentable dishes. My salad had very well cooked beef on top of delicious lettuce and tasty onions. I don't remember what kind of dressing, but it probably was close to something Asian. I am not sure if this salad is served every week, but I hope it is after this review is posted. The beef is succulent and the crispiness of the veggies was just right. I was I didn't finish it, but I had to. If you don't enjoy it, then it tells on your plate.
After the meal was over, all we did was sit and watched the rain pour. However, I did get to use the restroom to see some ladies. No, I wasn't in the women's restroom. It was a bunch of ladies above men's urinals giving you awesome looks. Overall, I loved North Bondi RSL, but I wished I got to visit more RSL's of Australia. I am glad to have visited and hopefully more visitors will come and bring more business.
You think I write too much? Well, you can call me a Yelp-O-Holic!