Friday, February 25, 2011

Cafe Sydney

Address: 5th Floor, Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay
5 plus 1

A number of months ago I was taken out for lunch at a fabulous restaurant for my birthday by some lovely ladies. It was decided after a few cocktails that we needed to do this more often, and hence the Ladies Lunch club was created. It's a group of 5 who each take a turn to pick a place on the last Friday of each month (only truly fabulous locations allowed) and this month we head to Cafe Sydney.

As a number of people have found out about this club, we now have others wanting to join (however we don’t offer membership). After some serious discussion we decide that we would allow one special invitation per lunch on the basis that the guest would have to buy the first round of cocktails or a bottle of champagne. We actually thought that no one would accept this offer… but they do.

So 6 of us head to Cafe Sydney.

"But Lotus Martini, this is not a bar, it's restaurant" I hear you say. Well, actually you can just come here for drinks.

We arrive and are seated on the terrace which offers spectacular views of the harbour. The consensus of the group is to have a cocktail for our first round of drinks and as I feel like being a bit risqué I order the “Office Fling”…it’s as naughty as it sounds (especially for lunch).

You can’t go wrong with any cocktails here and with names like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Appreciate Me and Janie Hendrix the beverages are nothing like you have ever had before.

Lunch comes to a close and it is time to leave (shame I have to work to fund my lifestyle). As I sit in the comforts of Cafe Sydney with cocktail in hand, I think to myself…this Ladies Lunch Club is fabulous!






Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




See for yourself: www.cafesydney.com

Cafe Sydney on Urbanspoon

Monday, February 21, 2011

Quay Bar

Address: Ground Floor, Customs House Building, 31 Alfred St, Sydney


After work bubbles anyone?

There was a perfect opportunity to catch-up on my work / study / cleaning when my after work plans were cancelled the other night. However, as I was leaving the office to head home early for a change I think "well…I should have been out tonight anyway, so any catch-up on work / study / cleaning would’ve had to wait to the weekend”, so I spin around on my heels and head to my friends desk and say “interested in an after work bubbles?”. They are. Excellent!

We head to Quay bar which is close to our office and while the location is very convenient, a downside is that as you arrive you instantly run into a large number of colleagues, which is fine if you like talking about work, after work… but I don't. So my friend and I sneak past everyone and find our spot tucked away in a corner.

This bar is great on beautiful summer evenings as it has an expansive outdoor area, set on the forecourt of Customs House, a little terrace underneath Cafe Sydney and a cosy indoor area. Also in the summer months you can enjoy live jazz.

As we sit with our bubbles we spot another one of our friends who comes over to join us, they inform me that there is a universally good looking guy who works here (apparently he appeals to all). So I keep my eye out. I never see him (obviously he doesn't appeal to everyone… well me anyway).

As I love outdoor areas, I enjoy coming to Quay bar… just need to find a way to ensure the whole office doesn’t come as well.





Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




See for yourself: www.quaybar.com.au

Quay Bar on Urbanspoon

Friday, February 4, 2011

ECQ Bar

Address: 61 Macquarie Street, Sydney


EC always a Queue

Two friends of mine are moving onwards and upwards in their careers; obviously we head out to celebrate. As we are going out for lunch they choose a venue near the office, and head down the lifts, across the road, up some stairs into ECQ bar.

ECQ is on the mezzanine level of the Quay Grand All Suites and has glass walls allowing the sun-drenched bar to open out onto the busy harbour and offers spectacular views of Circular Quay.

The bar has an eclectic mix of people, from elderly ladies reminiscing about the good ol’ days with their soda water, to work place celebrations. If you do come during the day make sure you bring your sunnies and your own atmosphere (I made sure I brought both!) as it has the curse of a hotel operated bar and lacks both ‘vibe’ and service.

A number of large corporates get discounts here, and as they cater for business lunches and groups the place quickly fills up at lunch time and for after work drinks.

Overall, don't rush for the food, service or atmosphere but come and enjoy the beautiful view with great company at reasonable prices.







Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




See for yourself: http://www.mirvachotels.com/quay-grand-suites-sydney/ecq-bar-circular-quay