Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Roseleaf and The Shore

Location: Leith, Edinburgh

A review from Lotus Martini’s International Correspondent, Edinburgh

After making their way around London, my international correspondent heads to Edinburgh.


It's not everyday a Scottish cab driver tips you the wink about a bar serving up wonders in teapots with china cups to match. It's even less likely in Edinburgh, generally placed below Parkes in the world league of cocktail venues.

Over lunch my Valkyries echo the driver's enthusiasm, so as Swanwhite wrings the last drops from the second bottle of wine, the consequences go the full Mussolini. The Shore itself sets the scene with its trademark Bloody Mary, the sherry top and celery notes crowning the usual suspect with perfect balance. Roseleaf has a game on its hands.

Our friendly Irish maitre d' secures we three the last remaining table, a promising hint with the sun still skimming the cobblestones. Sure enough the cheerful mixed crowd huddles round the communal teapots with a expectant Friday air, from bow ties to pleasure professionals. Even the Dolph Lundgrenalike at the next table doesn't look out of place.

We chink our way through two rounds of teapots, opening with a local take on the Moscow Mule, with pear vodka and raspberry juice. But the bar is taken to task by Adam's Love Apple, with apple vodka, fresh apples and pomegranate juice, alluring but with just the right level of late afternoon cut through.

We totter out into the soft Edinburgh light where Swanwhite and I ponder the cherry to crown our day's splendid cake. There is only one choice. A garden at dusk and champagne.

Both bars: 4 stars.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Steel Bar & Grill

Address: 2/60 Carrington Street, Sydney



A civilised evening; wine, dinner and Sex in the City

The other evening a friend and I had planned to check out a few new bars in the city, but as we both had been out the night before we decide that we should have a quieter (and more civilised) evening. So we head out for a few cheeky beverages and dinner.

We make our way to Steel Bar and Grill. Steel is positioned in a surprisingly quiet corner of Sydney’s CBD not far from Wynard station. When you arrive it becomes evident on why the choice of name. Large solid steel and glass doors, stainless steel mesh and tiles, polished concrete walls and sprayed concrete ceiling… I know what your thinking, this place sounds like rubbish (cold, no atmosphere) somehow though it proves to create quite the cozy and relaxed environment.

As we didn’t have a booking, and the place is quite full, we are seated on the bench where we can see into the kitchen. My friend suggests that we sit at the dessert end, I don’t mind… who doesn’t like looking at chocolate.

The menus are handed to us, and I instantly like the place even more as I love the picture of the lady from the 1960’s in her steel bikini (I do wonder what I would look like in that).

As apparently “a change is as a good as a holiday” (though, I’ve never actually believed that… obviously the person who first said those “words of wisdom” must have been on some boring holidays) we decided to leave cocktails and champagne behind and go for a bottle of wine, we finish it over a wonderful dinner.

The bathrooms also deserve a mention, they are all steel and all three basins have a television playing girl movies, (not sure if the men’s play men movies... I didn't check it out so can't confirm). But you need to be careful… I left my friend for too long as I was too busy watching Sex in the City.







Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




Steel Bar & Grill on Urbanspoon

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Experimental Cocktail Club

Address: 13a  Gerrard St, London
   
A review from Lotus Martini’s International Correspondent, London

A friend of mine who recently went back to London to visit their family informs me of a great bar that they discovered. Now I’m not London’s biggest fan (I’ve given it a number of chances to seduce me; but I’ve always left disappointed). However, after hearing about the Experimental Cocktail Club I decide that I may need to head back and give it another go.

So when my International Correspondent is invited over to workshop a new play I ask them to go and review it on my behalf.

This is their review.



The potato-chip complexioned doorman sweeps the tourist rabble aside and my Angels and I step through the unmarked Chinatown door.

The narrow tri-levelled club is a squeeze, more Asian chic than London - translucent teapot lights in the dunny are just so Hara Juku. Still the faux-pressed and mirrored ceilings doesn't seem forced, and the keyboard inset to the bar upstairs works better than they had any reason to imagine when they dreamed it up.

The cocktail menu is rife with exotica such as Cuban cigar-infused buffalo trace bourbon and homemade smoked pineapple syrup. Being a renaissance man myself, I go for the cocktail of that ilk, consisting of aperol, Hendrick's gin, lemon juice, homemade rhubarb syrup, a pinch of Himalayan purple salt and Billecart champagne. There's a moment when I wonder if rhubarb really is a cocktail winner or are we just showing off that little bit too much? It's a cocktail bar. Modesty has no place.

Not pausing to trifle with such ephemera, Blonde Angel flings the list aside and insists on a classic martini. She gives the same treatment to the protesting waitress, and lo and behold it lives up to its billing. Similarly the gimletish Experience, a pleasing blend of bitter and snappy. But sadly not my cloying rhubarb concoction. My bad. As ever, go with your instincts on the big life questions.

It's not a groovy crowd and doesn't feel pickuppy until the fellow in the inadvisable jumper proceeds to chew off his moderately diverting neighbour's face. For central London it may not be expensive enough, though the cheeky service charge takes the edge off that. However, it does serve proper gin (none of your vodka-drinker's gin here) and Krug by the glass.

Suitably fortified, the Angels and I head back into the Soho night, to get devilish.

3.5 stars

Friday, March 25, 2011

The Victoria Room

Address: 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst

Mad Men & Martini's

A month ago I was made aware that the Victoria Room was going to be hosting a Mad Men soiree to celebrate the introduction of its martini trolley. I was so excited that as soon as I found out I gather a number of friends and lock in the date. The night finally arrives and we head out. As I also had a reason to celebrate we all knew we where in for an excellent evening.

As I had previous commitments a few friends arrive early to secure a spot in the bar. I’m glad they did as when I arrive the place is full. Someone recently informed me that the Victoria Room felt like the love child of a 1920’s gentleman club mixed with a Hong Kong opium den (not that I have been to either… obviously) and I can see what they’re talking about.

Tonight though has a 1960’s theme and I feel like I've stepped back in time as most people are in glamorous 1960’s style dresses and suits including the bar staff. It is fabulous!! When two of my friends arrive they are instantly photographed for the press. Jealous!

There is a 1960's vintage dress for sale in the corner and one of my friends insists that I try it on. So I do. It fits me like a glove so I strut out from the change room as my friends gasp in delight. I buy it. I like it so much I get them to remove the tag so I can wear it for the rest of the night. I too get photographed.

I choose a classic martini for my first drink (dirty & stirred) and it is brilliant. I later discover that there's cocktails named after the characters in the show. As anyone who knows me well knows I’m Joan Holloway's biggest fan (for style anyway), so when the Gibson Martini is made in her honour. I think… I will be having that.

Atmosphere is fabulous as everyone was there in honour of Mad Man and Martini’s. But I do wonder what it would be like on a quieter night.... guess I will have to come back and see.







Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




See for yourself: www.thevictoriaroom.com


The Victoria Room on Urbanspoon

Monday, March 7, 2011

Rock Bar, Bali

Address: Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera Jimbaran, Bali
  

 
Bye bye Bali

After nearly 12 months of not having a holiday it was decided I needed a break. As I only have limited time at my disposal I head to Bali for a week.

My final day on the island arrives all too soon and as I have quite a number of hours between hotel check out and my flight, I spend the afternoon having a late seafood lunch in Jimbaran Bay before heading to Rock Bar.

Rock bar is located in the Ayana resort and a strict dress code applies; no board shorts or alcohol branded t-shirts allowed (excellent, as I prefer to never see another Bintang shirt again).

You head down numerous stairs, past the infinity pool, and board the inclinator to head down into what I would describe as my little piece of heaven. This open air bar is located on a side of a cliff 14 metres above the ocean. It offers Bali's most glamorous sunset.

I wanted to order a "Old fashion" as it's Don Draper's drink of choice on Mad Men, but I discover it's made with bourbon (yuk) so I have the Asian Martini instead, it's sweet and tasty... actually it reminds me of a melted lemon calipo. It's shortly followed by "Rock my world" which while certainly bright and tropical, my world remains firmly unrocked.

Overall, one could get used to this... watching a beautiful sunset, sand between the toes, listening to great beats, sounds of the ocean in the background, all with a cocktail in hand... Please don't make me go home.

 





Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




See for yourself: www.ayanaresort.com/rockbarbali