Posted by KB on December 21, 2010
It’s Sunday night. Not a night for drinking per se, but a night for enjoying a drink. Really taking the time to savour the flavour. And where better to indulge in a school-night tipple than a bar that puts its all into crafting the perfect cocktail.
So we duck into the Kirketon Hotel on Darlinghurst Road, skipping the bustling Art Bar at the front and instead heading down a dark corridor past the bathrooms. Our efforts are rewarded with the kind of cocktail bar you’d only expect to find in films. It’s dim without being dingy, all dark wood and decadent decor, with leather banquettes for pulling smooth moves or stools at the bar for pouring your heart out to the bartender when it all goes pear-shaped.
Seeking something strong, we opt for the Smoky Rob Roy (listed as owner Sven’s signature drink), a mix of Talisker single malt and Lagavulin whisky, given depth with cigar-infused rum, Vermouth and orange bitters. The Scacco Matto (Don Julio Reposado, Kahlua, Frangelico and chocolate bitters) is like honey in a glass, perfect for this cold and rainy night.More...
eau de vie, kirketon hotel, art bar, darlinghurst, bars, cocktails
Posted by Miss Kat Jade on March 23, 2010
Vacationing in Vancouver recently, this Klusterette was introduced to The Diamond: a cocktail bar and restaurant nestled in Maple Tree Square, slap bang in the heart of historic Gastown. Hidden on level two, this chandelier lit gem is owned by Mark Brand, Josh Pape and Sophie Taverner (hailing from our home town Sydney). With serious cocktail and food credentials between them, we knew we were in for a ride.
In an impressive room with hardwood floorboards, full-length arch windows and exposed brick archways, we were seated at long communal tables to peruse the well-priced menu of Asian-style sharing dishes ($3-$13 per plate). We started with aromatic pork gyoza dumplings, surrounded with sesame and spring onion sauce, moving onto Moorish and fresh lightly salted edamame beans with prawn, cabbage and roe betel leaves. The pickled beats, quail egg salad and duck sub were extraordinary. Don’t let the small prices deceive you - the portions are well rounded. More...
the diamond, vancouver, restaurants, bars, cocktails
Posted by KB on August 31, 2009
September is the month for one of Sydney's most exclusive dining events, Table4Ten, which raises money for prostate cancer research. And though it's unlikely that you'll be getting anywhere near the dinner (it's a strictly invitation only event), you can get the next best thing.
Paul Birtwhistle of Surry Hills' TOKO Restaurant + Bar has created the signature cocktail for the event, the Table4Ten Tokotini. Throughout the month of September, this stunning scarlet concoction of pomegranate juice, gin, plum wine and rhubarb bitters will be available at TOKO.
Not only is it tasty, but $5 from every purchase will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
cocktails, sydney