By CODIE LANDSMAN

STAFF WRITER

Experience your own taste of Australian culture and cuisine at The Sunburnt Calf bistro, located on the Upper West Side at West 79th and Broadway.

Most noted for its popular weekend brunch specials, this trendy, lively bar and restaurant is sure to leave you satisfied and anxious to return. From 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 — 5 p.m. on Sundays, the Calf offers its all-you-can-drink brunch specials for only $20-25, depending on your choice of meal.

I strongly recommend the eggs Benedict over crab cakes, accompanied by a house salad and perfectly crisp French fries. Other favorites include the Queen Adelaide poached eggs with avocado and salmon or the Bush Benedict eggs with bacon.

With your meal comes “bottomless drinks,” and you can choose from mimosas, screwdrivers, Grey Hounds, Bloody Marys and Foster’s beer.

The drinks do seem to flow endlessly, as the attentive (and attractive) servers are anything but skimpy. If you are discouraged that you had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated at your table, fear not.  The staff makes up for it with at least two free drink tickets following your meal, and watery shots along the way, but it is the thought that counts.

The predominantly-Australian staff adds a unique cultural element to the experience and complements the extensive list of Australian wines and seafood traditional of Australia. All of the staff are extremely friendly and lively, which is an amazing aspect for patrons to be able to depend upon in the hospitality business.

If you cannot make it for the weekend brunch (though you really should try to at least once during your Fordham career), the lunch and dinner specials are tasty and well-priced as well.

Some favorites include the five-spiced lamb salad with a side of watermelon, the calamari with kiwi jalapenos, the tuna tartar, shrimp on the Barbie, tuna nicoise platter and oysters Kilpatrick.

Additional popular dishes include the “cow salad,” complete with toasted pecans, mango, avocado, tomato, bacon, mixed greens and a lemon mustard dressing. Their specialties range from the “calf pasta”, with veal ragu, herb-crusted cod to the the “burger with the lot.”

The “smaller bites” section of the menu offers mini crab cakes with black sesame avocado mousse, and “stix,” which is your choice of Balinese spiced chicken, rice wine marinated beef or chili shrimp tempura.

Honestly, you cannot go wrong at this place. Between the value, service, taste and ambience, I would hands-down give the Sunburnt Calf five stars.

Just remember: Weekend brunch is cash only, so plan accordingly. You will not be disappointed.

Ratings

Overall: 4 stars
Location: 3 stars
Food Quality: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Hospitality: 4 stars
Price: $$$
(out of 4 stars)