tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223060921454150022024-03-13T15:50:20.350+11:00Lotus MartiniStraight, shaken & stirredLotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-35411056130297361282011-09-01T10:04:00.002+10:002011-09-01T10:05:24.015+10:00Toko Restaurant & Bar<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 490 crown street, Surry Hills</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s611k3T86f9-DlRaPrhGlQ2yl2Hi24AgZMDo-uAhW6C5Jo4ey_q5eCqQm__XLIMFCktVZsSxgwL-Kn8qhMpgtD16_j_vEAy1hRCaMe-7QEmMP9FkqonYAwRU-xRxwPYZrmqC6_q_4j0/s1600/logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s611k3T86f9-DlRaPrhGlQ2yl2Hi24AgZMDo-uAhW6C5Jo4ey_q5eCqQm__XLIMFCktVZsSxgwL-Kn8qhMpgtD16_j_vEAy1hRCaMe-7QEmMP9FkqonYAwRU-xRxwPYZrmqC6_q_4j0/s1600/logo.gif" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Arigatou gozaimasu. ありがとうございます</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My birthday is in August and this year was a milestone (well in my mind they’re all milestones but this one ended with a zero). I celebrated by going on a holiday with my two sisters. It was fabulous. And with the month just about over, my final birthday present was in site… the annual birthday dinner with one of my friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I knew it was going to be fun. Their birthday last year (which also ended with a zero) included cocktails at Hemmepshere, dinner at Sushi E, followed by more cocktails and finished the night with a cigar. Won’t be having a cigar again. Learnt that lesson.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They take me to Toko Restaurant & Bar in Surry Hills and enter a dimly lit Japanese haven. I love it. We are seated on one of the elegant booth seats, surround by honey coloured curved, sleek wood interior. I scan over the cocktail menu and decide on a Fig Martini, made from fig infused vodka, fig essence, sherry and garnished with two home glazed figs. It is strong and delicious. By the end of the night I have another two. I figure if I'm on to a good thing, why change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Being people who don’t like making decisions on food we order the tasting menu. A excellent option. Toko offers Japanese food and cocktails at its fine-dining best, I would rate Toko above all other fine Japanese restaurant and bars in Sydney, beating Ocean room, Sake and Sushi E. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But that is all from me for now, I have to go… I’m on the lookout for fig essence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.toko.com.au/index_surryhills.cfm"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.toko.com.au/index_surryhills.cfm</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/752271/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Toko-Surry-Hills"><img alt="Toko on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/752271/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-76213872807069353602011-08-06T10:51:00.005+10:002011-08-08T23:02:09.742+10:00Shady Pines Saloon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Address: Shop 4, 256 Crown Street, Darlinghurst</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASJOuxfqZ5-jOegY92yOVQbdqbo-UXwTBD9_Snek8TFBp6j6msXwLnvKgqqXMe5Ugs_RFEgPzpC-vy5WNackYtwUso4sAdUaq5OiTLENt1zBRs7ZXkNa0qTraJjfjhpCgEfoRb8Hv44o/s1600/IMG-20110805-00406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASJOuxfqZ5-jOegY92yOVQbdqbo-UXwTBD9_Snek8TFBp6j6msXwLnvKgqqXMe5Ugs_RFEgPzpC-vy5WNackYtwUso4sAdUaq5OiTLENt1zBRs7ZXkNa0qTraJjfjhpCgEfoRb8Hv44o/s320/IMG-20110805-00406.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wild Wild West</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">Having grown up on a farm, I was looking forward to heading to the country-and-western-style tavern, Shaddy Pines Saloon. After work I jump in a cab, pick up my friend on Elizabeth St and head to a small lane parallel to Oxford St. The bar is next door to the Bikram Yoga school. Don’t look for a big sign. There isn’t one.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">As it's always full on a Friday night there is a strict one in one out policy, however my friend and I only have to wait a few minutes before the door is opened for us and we head down the stairs to the wild west. There’s carved American Indians around the room, animal heads leering out from the walls (including a large cow’s head) and old bottles (that my dad would love) and other random items. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">While the place is full and very loud it still has a great buzz to it, I can imagine that if it wasn't busy the place would seem a bit odd. I head to the bar to get our drinks. I do my usual and ask the bar staff for the best vodka, sour cocktail he can make. The outcome. A Harvey Wall Banger. Tasty.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">As my friend and I were enjoying our drinks the barman comes past and places a wooden bowl of whole peanuts that you shell yourself. Nice touch. Pity the guy that was sitting behind us kept taking a few every time he walk past… that annoyed me. I was never good at sharing.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">It's my friends turn to get the drinks and we decided on mohito’s. They come back with two rum and cokes (yuk). The the barman didn't understand them and they were too polite to question what they received. They also inform me that when paying for the drinks and handing over three $5 notes, the barman looks and says, “I think you've been fooled, this is a fake $5!!!!. WHAT…they look closer at the $5 bill. Yep, they’ve been fooled. I decide that I will get our final drinks </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">and order two South Sides. Highly recommend.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">Shaddy Pines is a great bar, with friendly staff, tasty cocktails and a lot of wild west cheer. I am certain I'll be back.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN"> </span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="uiGrid fbPhotoTheaterGrid photoInfo"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: <a href="http://www.shadypinessaloon.com/">www.shadypinessaloon.com</a></span></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1514331/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Shady-Pines-Saloon-Darlinghurst"><img alt="Shady Pines Saloon on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1514331/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-42169115987461399972011-07-18T19:05:00.001+10:002011-07-19T09:16:39.151+10:00Emmilou<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: <span style="color: black;">413 Bourke Street</span><span style="color: black;">, Surry Hills</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Corporate chat and cocktails</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My friend seems to always get invited to fabulous functions. On this occasion they needed a “handbag”. I have no issue being the side kick from time to time, so I happily oblige.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This function is at Emmilou, a converted terrace in Surry Hills situated towards the Oxford Street end of Bourke Street. Neither of us has been there before, so when our taxi misses the location we jump out and walk back a block.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We arrive, are greeted and are instantly offered a cocktail called “More than Greg”, named after the host. It<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> is superb. Not</span> sure what was in it… I was too busy enjoying it (and talking) to ask.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This lounge and bar is down to earth with a touch of class. With the sounds of upbeat rythems playing in a mist of reds, blacks, mirrors, scribbles on walls, and ghost chairs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With a cocktail in hand we do the rounds of corporate chat and make our way to the tapas bar. Not that I am a food reviewer, but I need to mention that the tapas here are fabulous. You must try the Duck Liver Parfait… you may need to wait a while though... I think I ate their entire stock.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With Emmilou’s exceptional tapas and cocktails, wonderful music and perfect service, I’ll happily take on the role as “handbag” anytime.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">See for yourself: <cite><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.emmilou.com.au/">http://www.emmilou.com.au/</a> </span></cite></span></span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/750781/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Emmilou-Surry-Hills"><img alt="Emmilou on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/750781/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-30624835909944818992011-07-03T18:54:00.002+10:002011-07-03T18:56:04.248+10:00Since I left you<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Address: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;">338 Kent Street</span></street><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;">, <city w:st="on">Sydney</city></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1cj5MMdNdyfl87CVp4O-a0dZfQe_7PJLGCKwdXFvf5wICe8Y7uPhd6oKOAdmi27339Q1dBWbAjbTKBIn5c92sFxzI0x6iz7bCbtKuXnTogKkCX8cnC1EbPTQMZx8L4vpQuvZVjSm_bk/s1600/Since+I+left+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1cj5MMdNdyfl87CVp4O-a0dZfQe_7PJLGCKwdXFvf5wICe8Y7uPhd6oKOAdmi27339Q1dBWbAjbTKBIn5c92sFxzI0x6iz7bCbtKuXnTogKkCX8cnC1EbPTQMZx8L4vpQuvZVjSm_bk/s320/Since+I+left+you.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Ahhh honey…</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I discovered Sydney’s latest hideaway bar. It has such a great name that when I come across it I instantly emailed one of friends and arranged to go out.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since I Left You is currently in its 8th week of operation and is located in an old converted warehouse building. We arrive at a cobble-stoned carriageway and make our way down the narrow space, past the heaters and tables that line the wall, to the courtyard. While the space is about the size of a tennis court, it doesn’t offer any chairs or lounges to sit on. Not wanting to spend all night standing my friend and I head inside to the tiny bar. This narrow space is full with the usual after work suspects. It feels cosy and relaxing with a blend of old and new, a pressed metal ceiling and bar, along with art deco lighting and posters.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My friend and I take a seat on 2 ottomans right near a ‘loved up’ couple. The place is quite noisy and I secretly think “great, they won’t want to stay here for too long; surely they will want to go home soon”. They read my mind (or I was thinking out loud) as not long after we sit down they head off to enjoy the rest of their evening. Without delay my friend and I jump into their bench seats. The bar offers table service. Perfect. As I am too lazy and pre occupied to get up.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The cocktails on offer are more of your classics, but they do have a couple of signatures. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I scan down the list and decide on XHOOCHX, purely because it refers to “a soft seduction of your tastebuds with elderflower, vanilla and kiwifruit”. It’s quite nice. There is a small problem though, the menu doesn’t actually tell you what spirits are in your cocktail which makes it a bit of a gamble (obviously you could always ask the bar staff).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The crowd clears by 7.30, just in time for my next selection. Honey Pot. A playful mix of vanilla, peach and honey, finished with pomegranate seeds. While definitely more of your girly variety it tastes wonderful. Actually, it's so good I think I could have a bath in it... might be a bit sticky though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another Honey Pot later, I jump in a taxi and call it a night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since I Left You is a great spot for an after work or post dinner beverage, and with the bar currently in negotiations to open up the floor above them, hopefully in time for summer, I will be back.</span><br />
<img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.sinceileftyou.com.au/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">www.sinceileftyou.com.au</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1594266/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Since-I-Left-You-Sydney"><img alt="Since I Left You on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1594266/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-65162870510824710822011-06-18T21:32:00.001+10:002011-06-20T11:09:44.763+10:00The Owl House<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 97 Crown Street, Darlinghurst</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyT7oKzIYdZRV10E4Lme_rRblzMU5SSzJmYs03brFlLUEFzHrnHpG2uCVVdgLVXKkzkGOUdl2HtP_2A6U2KVjtaMnHjeOkQnyxnmCf92_uWEfU5gPCZPIGzKPWqV1pm92-Bwob__5BLo/s1600/Owl+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyT7oKzIYdZRV10E4Lme_rRblzMU5SSzJmYs03brFlLUEFzHrnHpG2uCVVdgLVXKkzkGOUdl2HtP_2A6U2KVjtaMnHjeOkQnyxnmCf92_uWEfU5gPCZPIGzKPWqV1pm92-Bwob__5BLo/s1600/Owl+house.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Trying to find wisdom in the bottom of a glass</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After getting my first ever parking fine (I only bought my car in January...it’s fabulous!) I went out with a friend to commiserate. I was annoyed. That $143 could have brought me a pair of shoes that were on sale.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We head to The Owl House. This restaurant and bar is situated in a small terrace on Crown Street near the corner of William. The place is busy and small, with a ten-seater bar taking up most of the space downstairs. The friendly barman informs my friend and I that there’s a spot for us on the balcony. We head up the steep terrace steps, through the restaurant with a mix of communal seating areas, to the small balcony that can seat four.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I enjoy people watching I like our spot with the view of Crown Street, the Westfield Eiffel Tower and the guy dressed like Ali G... I don't think he was meaning to though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I order a Green Martini (cucumber, wasabi, ginger puree, vanilla vodka and sake) I ask the waitress what it's like. Her response "it's interesting". My friend orders a gin and tonic... not so interesting. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I take a sip. The verdict. A little too Japanese for my liking... still drinkable though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For my next cocktail I ask the waitress for her recommendation. She tells me she like's tequila. Tequila isn't my friend. I ask her for her next favourite. Side Car (Hennessey VS cognac, Grand Marnier, lemon juice and sugar around the rim of the glass). While tasty and lemony, it's not as good (or sweet) as the lemon cocktail from Sub Solo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you’re after interesting cocktails, Asian fusion food, all in a small busy bar with friendly staff, then come along to The Owl House to find your words of wisdom. Mine... it's always wise to have cocktails on a Friday.</span><br />
<img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a class="url" href="http://www.theowlhouse.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0144a7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">www.theowlhouse.com.au</span></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1568999/restaurant/New-South-Wales/The-Owl-House-Darlinghurst"><img alt="The Owl House on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1568999/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a></div>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-16752937919579222652011-06-15T09:33:00.005+10:002011-06-15T22:08:29.981+10:00Galle Fort Hotel<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 28 Church Street, Fort Galle, Sri Lanka</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcvkNFMG1gPR-z6r0lhHEdRZc77O0XssqwosxaamfOadKfUr1U1rQ9j9UEfS83DXdBL7EGLvupWMCkQAeHnDCk7-u23b9RE2Z4CHGck4YE7ftazRy5MENcWpxu_CFqSSPdmbWktBnqjg/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcvkNFMG1gPR-z6r0lhHEdRZc77O0XssqwosxaamfOadKfUr1U1rQ9j9UEfS83DXdBL7EGLvupWMCkQAeHnDCk7-u23b9RE2Z4CHGck4YE7ftazRy5MENcWpxu_CFqSSPdmbWktBnqjg/s400/Untitled.png" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">A review from Lotus Martini’s International Correspondent, Sri Lanka</span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On a mission from Lotus Martini, I discover one of Sri Lanka’s gems – The Galle Fort Hotel - the epitome of a boutique hotel and bar with no pretension or formality yet effortless style.<br />
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s owned and operated by Aussies Karl Steinberg and his partner Chris Ong who swapped high flying careers in film-making and finance in Sydney to pursue more fulfilling hotelier dreams. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The cocktail menu has the feel of a trendy Surry Hills bar with a breezy laid back vibe. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The crowd are expats living in Sri Lanka’s balmy climate who mingle over Cosmopolitans and honeymooners or stare into each other’s eyes drinking martinis in the pool surrounded by sweet smelling lilies and floating candles. </span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I relax on the day bed gazing out through the plantation shutters at the cobblestone streets. I feel the warm breeze from the Indian Ocean and am grateful for the ceiling fans cooling the place down. Galle is hot, too hot to be outdoors. The environment is just right for sitting, reading and drinking cocktails. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I take a seat in the front bar with my tall and handsome companion and order the Galle Fort signature which is a refreshing blend of vodka, lychee, lime, passionfruit juice and brown sugar. My companion orders the Banana Colada – something of a luxury back home in Sydney with the outrageous cost of bananas. This cocktail is a dreamy blend of fresh banana, white rum, malibu, coconut cream, cream de banana and pineapple juice. The tasteful and classic décor take me back in time to when this hotel was once a wealthy Dutch merchant’s house. The service is reminiscent of the British colonial times in Ceylon: respectful, attentive, polite and wrapped up with warm and welcoming smiles. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The table of expat journalists next to us drink Long Island Iced Teas while discussing a story on how Galle is rebuilding itself after much of the town was destroyed by the tsunami back in 2004 (the Galle Fort Hotel in the old part of the town escaped the damage caused by the tsunami being protected by the fort’s wall). On another table, a young, well dressed Sri Lankan couple sip on a Gin Fizz and a Lion Lager beer. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The atmosphere is exotically romantic. We love it here so much, we almost miss our airport pick up. To quote Australian Gourmet Traveller, " Galle raises the question: why didn't someone tell me about this place sooner?” I say the same about the Galle Fort Hotel – it’s no wonder they are the winner of Sri Lanka’s Leading Boutique Hotel award in 2010 World Travel Awards. I could stay here forever…</span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.galleforthotel.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.galleforthotel.com/</span></a></div>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-91230965293923037712011-06-11T12:18:00.005+10:002011-06-15T09:46:32.403+10:00Capital Grill<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: The Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney (Entrance cnr Loftus Street & Reiby Place).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYVoOQEJPYslcg6FxwKeskR9BbFdNwL76mY0cIkjfOVEl8ZAKfzHCeKcPU5PA_CF6FvPsXFIMZzlH3nSQRH4Loc7SE2h8f6hj5At-2m1sQrWMqH7UjgF6zyeGA2C8uQYZ5lKJp30h6tE/s1600/capital+grill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYVoOQEJPYslcg6FxwKeskR9BbFdNwL76mY0cIkjfOVEl8ZAKfzHCeKcPU5PA_CF6FvPsXFIMZzlH3nSQRH4Loc7SE2h8f6hj5At-2m1sQrWMqH7UjgF6zyeGA2C8uQYZ5lKJp30h6tE/s1600/capital+grill.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;">Do you really need to bring a laptop to a bar?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">A celebration was in order; a friend got a new job. So I organised a few of us to get together to celebrate their success. We head to Capital Grill.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Capital Grill is located in an awaked space tucked away in The Gateway building in Circular Quay. With its towering glass walls and swish surrounds this bar and restaurant includes a ground floor dining area, a mezzanine and an alfresco courtyard offering an undercover island marble bar.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">It’s smart and very corporate. The</span><span style="color: black;">re’s even a gentleman in the corner working on his laptop. I found that a bit odd. He was by himself, surely if you were that busy you would stay at the office. Well I would anyone. Maybe he hasn’t learnt a key lesson that I have…trying to work and drink at the same time doesn't give you the best results.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The group decides to buy a few bottles of wine from its apparently very good wine list, I wouldn't know, I really don't know how to pick wine and generally leave it to others. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We baste under the outdoor heaters, talk some rubbish and then call it a night. I should mention that the staff are very friendly and professional. I left my wallet at the bar, and those of you who know me, would not be surprised. I tend to miss place a lot of things quite often. My work pass, wallet, mobile and keys are the top of my list... I went back the next morning to pick it up, every item was still there.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Capital Grill is open early so you can come in for a mid-morning coffee, a corporate lunch or business meeting or grab some friends, tapas and wine by night.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.capitalgrill.com.au/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.capitalgrill.com.au/</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1508167/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Capital-Grill-and-Bar-Circular-Quay"><img alt="Capital Grill and Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1508167/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-62461572021633291442011-06-05T16:11:00.002+10:002011-06-15T09:38:02.375+10:00Russell Wine Bar<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 143a George Street, Sydney</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRUy7tLHNq-BrLDnY88tC3yVa877XQh5oVxyVgbhgLyDuxYx0P1w9OwuevINqJl1AW56mTtNsh8ZbahK_zicZJqYkTZjSgGyDqR7kml5nD8tlo43HA_4NiytFRO5rOg-ucen3B3ddYN4/s1600/Russell+Bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRUy7tLHNq-BrLDnY88tC3yVa877XQh5oVxyVgbhgLyDuxYx0P1w9OwuevINqJl1AW56mTtNsh8ZbahK_zicZJqYkTZjSgGyDqR7kml5nD8tlo43HA_4NiytFRO5rOg-ucen3B3ddYN4/s320/Russell+Bar.jpg" t8="true" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is a stuffed peacock really necessary?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">A couple of friends and I had arranged to catch-up after work, one of them isn't handling the cold weather very well (there from a country where very small bikinis are a year round option). Lucky for us I had just been informed of a new cosy wine bar in The Rocks. We brace the cold and head to Russell Wine Bar.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Two of us are seated on a bench table made from the wood of old wine boxes, order a glass of sparkling and wait for our friend. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The warm tones of the decor make for a cosy and relaxed drinking spot. The bar does have a random peacock theme to it though, with a feather pattern on the leather booth seats and even a stuffed peacock on the wall. Which I must say I was not impressed with.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The tunes are also interesting. Not that I mind Dolly Pardon's classic "working nine to five", I have fond memories of my sisters and I dancing to it (I'm pretty sure our routine included a briefcase. Can't remember for certain though... I was only 10), it just doesn't suit the bar. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Our friend arrives and is impressed with the bar staff, apparently they asked them how their day had been (and actually seemed interested to find out). After a number of glasses we decide that we should eat and order a few dishes from their great tapa style menu.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">While Russell Wine Bar is a convenient meeting place for after-work drinks, it will need to not only play tunes that suit a cosy bar, but also be careful not to fall into the tourist trap that many bars and restaurants succumb to in The Rocks.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.therussellwinebar.com.au/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.therussellwinebar.com.au/</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1569245/restaurant/New-South-Wales/The-Russell-Wine-Bar-The-Rocks"><img alt="The Russell Wine Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1569245/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-58390526997979573542011-04-16T22:01:00.003+10:002011-06-15T09:46:54.046+10:00Ms G’s<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 155 Victoria St, Potts Point</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3hlCCq3AZuQuZp2-ywjBwuVfdlSedjK-mraTN6yeV6ccHKd9IStrHFbzfclResJwm2t02LAvLUlpLpOpeJ8xdvIQw9OGLWGVEloUF_plTgkdXscdRNH6MwIY4WMVQGHZGZNP18JzhiY/s1600/Sydney-20110415-00232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3hlCCq3AZuQuZp2-ywjBwuVfdlSedjK-mraTN6yeV6ccHKd9IStrHFbzfclResJwm2t02LAvLUlpLpOpeJ8xdvIQw9OGLWGVEloUF_plTgkdXscdRNH6MwIY4WMVQGHZGZNP18JzhiY/s320/Sydney-20110415-00232.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good morning Vietnam</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When the planets are finally aligned some old friends and I are reunited. We head to Ms G's.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This Asian restaurant and bar has quickly built a fine reputation since its opening in December 2010. It is located in a five storey terrace in Potts Point and each floor is filled with quirky decorations and recycled furniture. As there is a no booking policy, and I am the first to arrive, I give my name and the number of guests and wait for my friends. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We head up to the bar located on the third floor. The walls are covered with old classic magazine covers; Hustler, Playboy, Rolling Stone and I think my personal favourite Sweet Cheeks. Hugh Grant's famous Divine Brown mug shot is even on the wall.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’m intrigued by their "package cocktails" which are served in bubble tea style packaging. I order "Good morning Vietnam" (Shochu, raspberries, lime, palm sugar, Vietnamese mint, soda), it is truly delicious... and potentially dangerous. I had to remember that it was not my usual bubble tea that I order from Easy Way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When we have all arrived we are taken to our table. The waiter in his army style uniform takes our order on an Etch-a-Sketch. I love it (I should confess I actually have one at home). The food is excellent; their dirty martini's superb... I’m impressed. If you enjoy quiet locations, where you can make a booking and are seated quickly I would advise you to go elsewhere. Ms G’s is fun, quirky, loud and fabulous.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After a number of hours, dishes, wine and cocktails the waiter comes with our selection of dessert, and says "it's better than sex". You will have to come and try to decide for yourself.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.merivale.com/#/msgs/msgs"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.merivale.com/#/msgs/msgs</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1560878/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Ms-Gs-Potts-Point"><img alt="Ms G's on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1560878/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-13901663626546821392011-04-10T12:02:00.004+10:002011-04-18T12:32:21.275+10:00Pocket Bar<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Address: 13 Burton Street, Darlinghurst</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mHk8Ty5NhMC5xwdjAXNbZ_eW4fHgKh_fKikLqM-1YmEgZrByZgiyzVLW62lDzd913JMmPxctAt85kvkohg1-dDmvQoZR4bXkaJODrVXd8tLrfqZmueMjkKprUOrn3UM8WaPc_lfm2hQ/s1600/Pocket_Bar-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mHk8Ty5NhMC5xwdjAXNbZ_eW4fHgKh_fKikLqM-1YmEgZrByZgiyzVLW62lDzd913JMmPxctAt85kvkohg1-dDmvQoZR4bXkaJODrVXd8tLrfqZmueMjkKprUOrn3UM8WaPc_lfm2hQ/s320/Pocket_Bar-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another Birthday. Another Bar</span></span></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A belated birthday celebration was underway and 6 of us head to Pocket Bar; most of the group wanted to walk, but some shoes (or in my case most) aren’t made for walking, so a friend and I leave 15 minutes later and jump into a taxi.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We arrive on the corner of Crown and Burton st, open the wrought iron gates to the sounds of 70's funk and walk into a drinking den that is friendly, casual and effortlessly cool.</span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After securing our place on the retro couches we head to the glass top counter bar, it showcases random things; matchbooks, cards, and other knickknacks. It also doubles as a book shelf, which if you where inclined, would allow you to read the latest national geographic while sipping a martini. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While I was waiting for my Rose Petal martini (which I need to highlight is a lot nicer than the one offered at <a href="http://lotusmartini.blogspot.com/2010/12/blu-bar-on-36.html">Blu Bar on 36</a> in the Shangri-La hotel) I saw what I thought was an old typewriter, I instantly wanted to touch it. As I get closer I realise it's actually some form of old-school calculator. It lost its appeal. I still pretended to type on it though.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I look at the pop art and bric-a-brac, that covers the walls of the bar, I notice that there's a grammatical error in one of the painted speech bubbles. For a second I considered letting one of the staff know. I didn't ... they have probably had it pointed out by other well meaning patrons countless times and I doubt they would care. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After two excellent gibson martini’s and one of the bars delicious crepes, I call it a night. Pocket Bar is an excellent small bar. Lotus Martini will be back.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"></div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: <a href="http://www.pocketsydney.com.au/">http://www.pocketsydney.com.au/</a></span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1462141/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Pocket-Bar-Darlinghurst"><img alt="Pocket Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1462141/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-49293826321056512352011-04-07T14:53:00.003+10:002011-06-15T09:47:15.624+10:00Rockpool Bar & Grill<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 66 Hunter Street, Sydney</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj6RhJU4tfZcu6nTVHBdFzhl9-vPF4gSGP_972s8_BqPCzjKMMuU2L-eccePL6WSkVdZwtQpwPyajM-K63s2olxX1aQrodxYC336ft0KuUt7dQlBlinvj-aOe9gwcKzJ3r5nG2AipKhM/s1600/Rockpool-Bar-Sydney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj6RhJU4tfZcu6nTVHBdFzhl9-vPF4gSGP_972s8_BqPCzjKMMuU2L-eccePL6WSkVdZwtQpwPyajM-K63s2olxX1aQrodxYC336ft0KuUt7dQlBlinvj-aOe9gwcKzJ3r5nG2AipKhM/s400/Rockpool-Bar-Sydney.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Simply stunning</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There was a special occasion, my best friends birthday, and to celebrate I take them to Rockpool Bar and Grill. As I have only ever been to the restaurant, we decide we should arrive an hour before dinner to have a few pre-dinner beverages.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Located in one of the finest art deco buildings in Sydney, right above its sister <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">restaurant</placetype> <placename w:st="on">Spice</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Temple</placetype></place>, it is simply stunning. High ceilings, marble columns and a small cosy bar located to the side of the strikingly gorgeous dining room. I feel I’m in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Manhattan</place></city> in the 1950’s (I wish I had worn my vintage dress… oh well, next time).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We are seated at a table for two and I commence the night with my autumn cocktail (a dirty martini - for those of you who don't read my reviews religiously).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can confidently say that the separate white and red wine menus are near the same size of some of my text books, neither of which I have read. I open the cocktail menu and see a list of “House Rules”, I’m intrigued by all 9 of them. My personal favourite:</span></span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Gentlemen, don’t approach ladies; and if you are so lucky to have one approach you, endear her as you would your mother”. </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Advice I wish certain gentleman I have previously known had taken.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">An hour quickly passes by. We are informed our table on the dress circle is ready. I take myself, my French martini and my gorgeous friend to our table.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The verdict. An absolute must for any self-respecting socialite.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-CAPuX_sJBEe0bcQ8hRpV_G-JlCw34DHdCnTTj147tDdqr-wiIKvoGlK7XaVxhv0mkPAHECVlpG5ZXALl9jdRjkymy-RITBCYphK6hhAMTVq-943VeE-jByK6rJZhuFoaAenLHTliE/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOvk5BoKb5EQJcI1nuoj_lcV5Dq3AkOnxL8jH39Wg-B-7MMn4ADm7dd0rg7Mgo_yIvdduAkJ_D5ucesamUewHM-jgsmPfeAkpuk22QIsRyyyqlACf6C0ycn3HKUJ_BYSMsez2_vdPkQE/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.rockpool.com.au/sydney/bar-and-grill/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.rockpool.com.au/sydney/bar-and-grill/</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1443023/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Rockpool-Bar-Grill-Sydney"><img alt="Rockpool Bar & Grill on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1443023/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-26013730526726040462011-04-03T16:57:00.004+10:002011-04-18T12:33:34.886+10:00Orbit Lounge Bar<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Address: Level 47, <span class="adr"><span class="street-address">264 George St, </span><span class="locality">Sydney</span></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcmXztf1w-eWcNkXrel5qrG6zpC911cHZ2FqoczfdLutt890s79j1DVjzycuHDljqLnfNWDyLsAVmbvr9xriKuc10Bnmf5g8C3cI-wawN6LuJlI3cYOVANHqdqOTDVCZCBP2WLb6oEUc/s1600/IMG-20110402-00297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcmXztf1w-eWcNkXrel5qrG6zpC911cHZ2FqoczfdLutt890s79j1DVjzycuHDljqLnfNWDyLsAVmbvr9xriKuc10Bnmf5g8C3cI-wawN6LuJlI3cYOVANHqdqOTDVCZCBP2WLb6oEUc/s320/IMG-20110402-00297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take me for a spin</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After spending an excellent day at the races, where I discover that I am far better at picking a truly fabulous frock than I am at picking a fast horse, three of us decide that we should head out, as there is more fun to be had. I wanted to go somewhere that I hadn't been before so one of my friends suggests Orbit Lounge Bar. We call a cab and head into the city.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Orbit is located on the 47<sup>th</sup> floor of Australian Square and is a rotating bar offering stunning views of <city><place>Sydney</place></city>. The revolving restaurant / bar concept has always seemed a bit of a gimmick to me but as I had never been there before the views and novelty won me over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I order “The Vesper” as I love James Bond movies and it’s the drink he orders and names after his beautiful co-star in Casino Royal (I live in hope that one day James will name a drink after me). I take my first sip, and I’m quite surprised, it’s not as strong as I thought it would be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I try two more cocktails. The first, a dirty vodka martini (which I have decided will be my drink for autumn) it’s not as nice as the one from the <a href="http://lotusmartini.blogspot.com/2011/03/victoria-room.html">Victorian Room</a> but still quite good. My final cocktail is an Espresso Martini. My friend was drinking them and it looked nice, and I’m pleased to say it lived up to my expectations…. nice one Orbit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After 3 cocktails and 2 complete rotations my friends and I part ways and head home, but only after deciding we should go to the races again next weekend.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: <a href="http://www.summitrestaurant.com.au/">http://www.summitrestaurant.com.au/</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/752118/restaurant/CBD/Summit-Restaurant-Orbit-Bar-Sydney"><img alt="Summit Restaurant & Orbit Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/752118/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-90524587037759058602011-04-01T14:32:00.003+11:002011-04-01T14:52:59.464+11:00China Doll<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 6 Cowper Wharf Rd, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;">Woolloomooloo</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynJEzEFrE-lgvf8zrLvFPKdpLO2pT9jZchQJVJv3uHGVZ3Q1vDdWTzOqXdjwS22eRaGCRJ98LMY4vvhuE0Ccx6AGzlKJKiY6-BuEoUeigmX9Tu5OaZbk6b7WDdhx27UpTnLamx1Stld8/s1600/Sydney-20110331-00220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynJEzEFrE-lgvf8zrLvFPKdpLO2pT9jZchQJVJv3uHGVZ3Q1vDdWTzOqXdjwS22eRaGCRJ98LMY4vvhuE0Ccx6AGzlKJKiY6-BuEoUeigmX9Tu5OaZbk6b7WDdhx27UpTnLamx1Stld8/s320/Sydney-20110331-00220.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll have a side order of bikini, thank you</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My day didn't start too well. I was late for my morning meeting and I also forgotten my heels and had to explain why I was wearing thongs with my glamourous work dress to the gentleman I was meeting with. Now, some of you ladies may be comfortable wearing thongs and your sneakers around the office, but not I. So when I get a break in between meetings I sneak out and head to the shops to buy a new pair.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I parade back to the office in my new purchase I discover that they could quite possibly be the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I own (and I own a lot). They do look good though. Lucky I did as when I get back I am reminded about lunch at China Doll.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;">China Doll is very popular and is the third restaurant along the glamorous Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, we are seated outside near the water with prime views of the city. The cocktail selection here is fun and I decide to try " </span></span>Big trouble in little China Doll" (vodka, watermelon juice with elderflower syrup and a hint of coriander), while the taste is different it doesn't really leave me with a lasting impression.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The service was very slow and not that you want to come to China Doll for a fast experience, but when your positively parched you want your beverage, sooner rather than later.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I do enjoy the food at China Doll, I have an excellent lunch. However as we sit there a large boat appears with about 20 young guys and 3 ladies wearing nothing but a florescent yellow g-string (or hired help as one of my companions referred to it), and those of you who know <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Woolloomooloo</span> warf, know it's a dead end. Obviously these guys where wanting to parade themselves with their lady friends for all to see. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now I'm not used to being over looked by my male companions, but I can promise you not a single eye was on me, I couldn't help being in awe either. Maybe I should buy the ladies outfit... but then again yellow isn't my colour.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>Martini rating:</strong> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: <a href="http://www.chinadoll.com.au/">http://www.chinadoll.com.au/</a></span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/750536/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Woolloomooloo/China-Doll-Sydney"><img alt="China Doll on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/750536/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-16882910705124686192011-03-30T18:33:00.002+11:002011-06-15T09:34:30.667+10:00Roseleaf and The Shore<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Location: Leith, Edinburgh</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">A review from Lotus Martini’s International Correspondent, Edinburgh</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After making their way around London, my international correspondent heads to Edinburgh.</span><br />
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<div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;"><br />
</div></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Both bars: 4 stars.</span>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-70677024388559664112011-03-29T19:00:00.001+11:002011-06-15T09:47:45.021+10:00Steel Bar & Grill<div class="widget Blog" id="Blog1"><div class="blog-posts hfeed"><div class="date-outer"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 2/60 Carrington Street, Sydney</span></div><div class="date-outer"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnq6yZ5y4Y0qNdJcofbd_Ns-BgVBwQIjJ6-KExO6I1cnn9p0AOMZnWKwMp5wpSCVXLELb6vSLP8E5lZ0yb_9CDb6Pnq8nYGbCQxe2DCpqoxh48_LXAk3j7Im2zKvbr9029Mk-Y7ErYrQ/s1600/steel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnq6yZ5y4Y0qNdJcofbd_Ns-BgVBwQIjJ6-KExO6I1cnn9p0AOMZnWKwMp5wpSCVXLELb6vSLP8E5lZ0yb_9CDb6Pnq8nYGbCQxe2DCpqoxh48_LXAk3j7Im2zKvbr9029Mk-Y7ErYrQ/s320/steel.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">A civilised evening; wine, dinner and Sex in the City</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span></div><div class="date-outer"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Martini rating:</strong> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">See for yourself: <a href="http://www.steelbarandgrill.com/">http://www.steelbarandgrill.com/</a> </span></span></div><div class="date-outer"></div></div></div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1429018/restaurant/CBD/Steel-Bar-Grill-Sydney"><img alt="Steel Bar & Grill on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1429018/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-50327486655532647742011-03-27T20:27:00.004+11:002011-06-15T09:36:16.219+10:00Experimental Cocktail Club<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Address: 13a </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gerrard St</street>, <city w:st="on">London</span></span></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: large;">A review from Lotus Martini’s International Correspondent, London</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A friend of mine who recently went back to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">London</place></city> to visit their family informs me of a great bar that they discovered. Now I’m not <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">London</place></city>’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.</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So when my International Correspondent is invited over to workshop a new play I ask them to go and review it on my behalf.</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">This is their review.</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The potato-chip complexioned doorman sweeps the tourist rabble aside and my Angels and I step through the unmarked <place w:st="on">Chinatown</place> door. </span></span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The narrow tri-levelled club is a squeeze, more Asian chic than <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">London</place></city> - 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.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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 <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">London</place></city> 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.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Suitably fortified, the Angels and I head back into the <place w:st="on">Soho</place> night, to get devilish.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3.5 stars</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://experimentalcocktailclublondon.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://experimentalcocktailclublondon.com</span>/</a></span></div>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-81694693073955155802011-03-25T12:45:00.003+11:002011-04-05T12:04:40.373+10:00The Victoria Room<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mad Men & Martini's </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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 <u>so</u> 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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifRQq08lBKoEX1x_ThP7jGFC4TrSjT8OXCrdX7SVECZt1DuBTumN88CtXfXS5zZnVoyxYuortKtDeqfUjk2qESyZSLphy4pJRwEz0mx3JSnljoe9aUv8tiAyhxK_y_H_pcRaj6D89phA/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>Martini rating:</strong> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QMKsnmHB6aNhozI5k3-KaPHKbi-XxwIgXCrXEr4Tk1dB7lpHmn2WWLjw4SFbRwMKWhz0alGnjHaTaazn5bVgao5BTOhQkAakxeHXn2anVEX05MkYjRBf0VAp-N5gkoEegqtKlxWk74/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.thevictoriaroom.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">www.thevictoriaroom.com</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/752358/restaurant/New-South-Wales/The-Victoria-Room-Darlinghurst"><img alt="The Victoria Room on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/752358/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-20421987973831616942011-03-07T10:56:00.002+11:002011-06-15T09:35:52.623+10:00Rock Bar, Bali<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Address: Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera Jimbaran, Bali </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcobJ_5-BtuxmvMN7v7Y7Aksap0kvZL4Svl3ch9ovSkH4f20v7MiaFddUnyzOcpojp2wsOVoXrp4iopKESTIhgPNEuJ2qdWeJJb3808j2lG-1Xqdqr4IurKkJMeFX64qTCsjvGdt1Lmng/s320/P1000315.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59HrXMuL8FspvzkzbwjFUpY4lyaHIHEshTl3VR4MhdIWW5Is_fuLU0iv52u7QqfIqyeFH-6cN6Q3pfRE-A1bxq6x16IdPYVinCIDKbizN4V8VgFsXfdrspqx-Cc0w6VKhyphenhyphen5hT8ezgPpM/s1600/P1000323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59HrXMuL8FspvzkzbwjFUpY4lyaHIHEshTl3VR4MhdIWW5Is_fuLU0iv52u7QqfIqyeFH-6cN6Q3pfRE-A1bxq6x16IdPYVinCIDKbizN4V8VgFsXfdrspqx-Cc0w6VKhyphenhyphen5hT8ezgPpM/s320/P1000323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Bye bye Bali</span><br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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).<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jVCvqvXBfZBFJ5qMnZFMEdKcRvBstUo799O65bQN5I-yFcJE3QtkSf-LArzapWVaMUu1nbYMll6Xpx9yhf7XApsoxet9r7P04TI_zY6df51fy0yphkLwf6Qc1yiPOrxwp8nwS1myCyo/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jVCvqvXBfZBFJ5qMnZFMEdKcRvBstUo799O65bQN5I-yFcJE3QtkSf-LArzapWVaMUu1nbYMll6Xpx9yhf7XApsoxet9r7P04TI_zY6df51fy0yphkLwf6Qc1yiPOrxwp8nwS1myCyo/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijZl7MY1_bqqKGouQUE3UxJXh5LSqmcxO3OeR3x_lt6bnazJEaTfGhGOsEVAn0zufnKQqUHEkwdsb7RmsZhdskMPEgIz1dmhj-HvvbApKAec55wl3T_uwaqyzt6xbRtVeDPLLwqIsLmo/s1600/Glass_5.bmp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijZl7MY1_bqqKGouQUE3UxJXh5LSqmcxO3OeR3x_lt6bnazJEaTfGhGOsEVAn0zufnKQqUHEkwdsb7RmsZhdskMPEgIz1dmhj-HvvbApKAec55wl3T_uwaqyzt6xbRtVeDPLLwqIsLmo/s1600/Glass_5.bmp" /></a></div><span class="post-author vcard"></span><span class="post-timestamp"><a class="timestamp-link" href="http://lotusmartini.blogspot.com/2010/12/big-ts-saloon.html" rel="bookmark" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" title="2010-12-26T19:11:00+11:00"><br />
</abbr></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: <a href="http://www.ayanaresort.com/rockbarbali">www.ayanaresort.com/rockbarbali</a></span></span>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-39998766145021891002011-02-25T17:10:00.001+11:002011-06-15T09:48:08.767+10:00Cafe Sydney<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 5th Floor, Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay</span> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So 6 of us head to Cafe Sydney.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"But Lotus Martini, this is not a bar, it's restaurant" I hear you say. Well, actually you can just come here for drinks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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!</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jVCvqvXBfZBFJ5qMnZFMEdKcRvBstUo799O65bQN5I-yFcJE3QtkSf-LArzapWVaMUu1nbYMll6Xpx9yhf7XApsoxet9r7P04TI_zY6df51fy0yphkLwf6Qc1yiPOrxwp8nwS1myCyo/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jVCvqvXBfZBFJ5qMnZFMEdKcRvBstUo799O65bQN5I-yFcJE3QtkSf-LArzapWVaMUu1nbYMll6Xpx9yhf7XApsoxet9r7P04TI_zY6df51fy0yphkLwf6Qc1yiPOrxwp8nwS1myCyo/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Martini rating:</span></strong><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 1 – 5 scale</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz5wpjPVNpXbWRjDAZtEz-Blw1LMHdttVc1AFyOwoBbGbvzO0_-RSTnNzbKcG4ryQQicrGn7APZZ1yiIm7YHfROoqVQT1izTIidpdotXLueQn3EMMX5xFl5xdzAmeN1e-3EBVEHmSW6o/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz5wpjPVNpXbWRjDAZtEz-Blw1LMHdttVc1AFyOwoBbGbvzO0_-RSTnNzbKcG4ryQQicrGn7APZZ1yiIm7YHfROoqVQT1izTIidpdotXLueQn3EMMX5xFl5xdzAmeN1e-3EBVEHmSW6o/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.cafesydney.com/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">www.cafesydney.com</span></a></div></div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/750445/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Cafe-Sydney-Sydney"><img alt="Cafe Sydney on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/750445/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-34597556443729422182011-02-21T15:25:00.003+11:002011-04-18T12:36:24.987+10:00Quay Bar<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: Ground Floor, Customs House Building, 31 Alfred St, Sydney</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggemMHfJYyqpQCI9joi344DiXLEP1T32IUsLru4NjfPozd3FVY4jYl6d8AVVi1sepwO9lTszS-xMs95MqSTuLlAuaas8jQCWI3GnHMok-4UntUCnY6D6_J3MXskh1Ux0hE1Fzri6EPMlg/s1600/Quay+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggemMHfJYyqpQCI9joi344DiXLEP1T32IUsLru4NjfPozd3FVY4jYl6d8AVVi1sepwO9lTszS-xMs95MqSTuLlAuaas8jQCWI3GnHMok-4UntUCnY6D6_J3MXskh1Ux0hE1Fzri6EPMlg/s320/Quay+bar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">After work bubbles anyone?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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 <a href="http://lotusmartini.blogspot.com/2011/02/cafe-sydney.html">Cafe Sydney</a> and a cosy indoor area. Also in the summer months you can enjoy live jazz. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jVCvqvXBfZBFJ5qMnZFMEdKcRvBstUo799O65bQN5I-yFcJE3QtkSf-LArzapWVaMUu1nbYMll6Xpx9yhf7XApsoxet9r7P04TI_zY6df51fy0yphkLwf6Qc1yiPOrxwp8nwS1myCyo/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jVCvqvXBfZBFJ5qMnZFMEdKcRvBstUo799O65bQN5I-yFcJE3QtkSf-LArzapWVaMUu1nbYMll6Xpx9yhf7XApsoxet9r7P04TI_zY6df51fy0yphkLwf6Qc1yiPOrxwp8nwS1myCyo/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Martini rating:</strong> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kBClgWpWCwACraZpd0OmIQCTTA2KNidvzCVjVkEt3I-YfHcbYzvVZ1MAOgtcqL5m_p5lvLLDWkIUHvSFIRh_-m6sgx5anSCAIjkiwba4RhoX0UN-EsRLP0D8iqLILDBUbt17D88CJOs/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kBClgWpWCwACraZpd0OmIQCTTA2KNidvzCVjVkEt3I-YfHcbYzvVZ1MAOgtcqL5m_p5lvLLDWkIUHvSFIRh_-m6sgx5anSCAIjkiwba4RhoX0UN-EsRLP0D8iqLILDBUbt17D88CJOs/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.quaybar.com.au/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">www.quaybar.com.au</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/751818/restaurant/New-South-Wales/CBD/Quay-Bar-Sydney"><img alt="Quay Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/751818/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-35008022273875127912011-02-04T17:31:00.004+11:002011-02-04T17:34:07.126+11:00ECQ Bar<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 61 Macquarie Street, Sydney </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrrUQsB-J6Lu3yQkThcIDutQJkRS6QSi8TW8L29W_EY8SaUZ9yU-0Q_9crn5VyuD6eRqPirmaNp2S33gHDWRU8LBcT0p3WqjoA9ieX0slHgGxzF3vfp8aRaoVTmT_xl93vBRzWfa7f5I/s1600/ECQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrrUQsB-J6Lu3yQkThcIDutQJkRS6QSi8TW8L29W_EY8SaUZ9yU-0Q_9crn5VyuD6eRqPirmaNp2S33gHDWRU8LBcT0p3WqjoA9ieX0slHgGxzF3vfp8aRaoVTmT_xl93vBRzWfa7f5I/s1600/ECQ.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">EC always a Queue </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">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.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">T</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">he bar has an eclectic </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">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.</span></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">A number of large corporates get discounts here, and as they </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">cater for business lunches and groups the</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> place quickly fills up at lunch time and for after work drinks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Overall, don't rush for the food, service or atmosphere but come and enjoy the beautiful view with great company at reasonable prices.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQZC1PsVcIYm_WoBhZ1rwfBSYaBH22eWlkazjJe9hM0kI8JUv7C5QAPKvPLDLpGw2fmMpoO_L9u32yKLKiXsqSkRMYY-MN0mDBMhTxVfpo1sT2DJmq6mroQIuN5ko1gNQ49k-_aerbac/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQZC1PsVcIYm_WoBhZ1rwfBSYaBH22eWlkazjJe9hM0kI8JUv7C5QAPKvPLDLpGw2fmMpoO_L9u32yKLKiXsqSkRMYY-MN0mDBMhTxVfpo1sT2DJmq6mroQIuN5ko1gNQ49k-_aerbac/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Martini rating:</strong> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeNe8luurB5DunWjciy58wtNncibpqrdeHlSZsa2RgxJKmpulE3EuisZI_aYNeWnR4m2XKMrb797IuFF6NV-L7xNzpTmWj-c-Uzaw3LwE74FNSCungEpZP3G5KQ4CX93H5iJjFoxWW3M/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeNe8luurB5DunWjciy58wtNncibpqrdeHlSZsa2RgxJKmpulE3EuisZI_aYNeWnR4m2XKMrb797IuFF6NV-L7xNzpTmWj-c-Uzaw3LwE74FNSCungEpZP3G5KQ4CX93H5iJjFoxWW3M/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.mirvachotels.com/quay-grand-suites-sydney/ecq-bar-circular-quay"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.mirvachotels.com/quay-grand-suites-sydney/ecq-bar-circular-quay</span></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-34782311508210298022011-01-29T10:52:00.000+11:002011-01-29T10:52:43.469+11:00Eau De Vie<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 229 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiOXUiYiK88-Pe3EvBgR49L6KtOEPGI9Qd25RqcBiqqxAHOhc_bR0vdj2l5rspK1P_2qgjS5Abz4xHY04LwULwMZPTR22MJlEaxfbUkoV_EMjVsR0wSjvqHspIG5kH7eP9fGKPakarGI/s1600/IMG00073-20110128-1822%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiOXUiYiK88-Pe3EvBgR49L6KtOEPGI9Qd25RqcBiqqxAHOhc_bR0vdj2l5rspK1P_2qgjS5Abz4xHY04LwULwMZPTR22MJlEaxfbUkoV_EMjVsR0wSjvqHspIG5kH7eP9fGKPakarGI/s320/IMG00073-20110128-1822%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;">Mr Hendrix, Mr Brown and I</span></span><br />
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After a tough and tiring week the last thing that this socialite felt like doing was heading out. But as I had planned arrangements with fabulous company and knowing that Eau De Vie had been awarded Australia's "bar of the year" at the gourmet traveller 2011 awards, I pulled myself together and head out.<br />
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This bar is hard to find – it’s out the back of the Kirketon hotel with no reference that the bar even exists; you go through the hotel and then behind a black glass door lies a cosy drinking room that has a feeling of a by gone era when service was king.<br />
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The professional barmen wear waistcoats and bow ties... very sharp indeed. I order the Hendrix Tea Party (not for any other reason than the fact that I like Jimi Hendrix). It has cucumber, rose petal infused gin with a berry infused black tea, fresh orange and mint - a fine creation indeed. There is actually sharing cocktails here, which I have decided I will order the next time I come.<br />
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I love the music; the sounds of James Brown is in the air, (I love Mr Brown, every time I hear his smooth voice I feel just that little bit sexier). My friend and I don’t stay out long as we are both exhausted and they're about to start detox (after some of their previous episode that involved alcohol it’s for the best!)<br />
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Eau De Vie is one of the best bars in Sydney. Come here if you enjoy great drinks with great friends at a place that has an air of past glamour… it’s Lotus Martini’s style of bar.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqLRzz4k9DZyvBkvYZM_z6SYRQGf903MxDmBXzFJ9Nm-BXT1hdhC6vEy4Bis1xr0pFbZzjot15lWCRJ0lkNbk-FJaP08v77Wu66jqH_p0ApT6O8_VKUpkVNYjXFF72nxVbP7-V7l7jAQ/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqLRzz4k9DZyvBkvYZM_z6SYRQGf903MxDmBXzFJ9Nm-BXT1hdhC6vEy4Bis1xr0pFbZzjot15lWCRJ0lkNbk-FJaP08v77Wu66jqH_p0ApT6O8_VKUpkVNYjXFF72nxVbP7-V7l7jAQ/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz5wpjPVNpXbWRjDAZtEz-Blw1LMHdttVc1AFyOwoBbGbvzO0_-RSTnNzbKcG4ryQQicrGn7APZZ1yiIm7YHfROoqVQT1izTIidpdotXLueQn3EMMX5xFl5xdzAmeN1e-3EBVEHmSW6o/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz5wpjPVNpXbWRjDAZtEz-Blw1LMHdttVc1AFyOwoBbGbvzO0_-RSTnNzbKcG4ryQQicrGn7APZZ1yiIm7YHfROoqVQT1izTIidpdotXLueQn3EMMX5xFl5xdzAmeN1e-3EBVEHmSW6o/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.eaudevie.com.au/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">www.eaudevie.com.au</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1537483/restaurant/New-South-Wales/Eau-de-Vie-Darlinghurst"><img alt="Eau de Vie on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1537483/minilogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-47782092137269016302011-01-26T08:28:00.012+11:002011-01-26T09:02:50.703+11:00Different Drummer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;">Address: 185 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstxxxH6-aar0YLcDtUPI1aK_Rz6EPr02Hl0GLT2rIfgQlgDYXXW3j4s7s89ekK4MyU08l19YdkT-3ocEOUl6xjMYeJ3hhJaQpIFsJSkEuPIxbac69EWUklFWKdoNzq17UQ4DgPURr8Hw/s1600/DifferentDrummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstxxxH6-aar0YLcDtUPI1aK_Rz6EPr02Hl0GLT2rIfgQlgDYXXW3j4s7s89ekK4MyU08l19YdkT-3ocEOUl6xjMYeJ3hhJaQpIFsJSkEuPIxbac69EWUklFWKdoNzq17UQ4DgPURr8Hw/s320/DifferentDrummer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: large;">Marching to a different beat</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: small;">After a fabulous purchase on my behalf a friend and I go to celebrate (I try and turn most things into some form of celebration wherever possible). We both arrive quite late and are well past the happy hour and a half that they have from 6 - 7.30pm, where you can get 2 for 1 cocktails.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: small;">While Glebe has a number of pubs, the Different Drummer is its only cocktail bar and tends to be busy most nights of the week. There is a good selection of cocktails and the staff are happy to make anything you order, they also have a seasonal cocktail list which I tend to choose from. Tonight I order a campari and soda, I’ve never had it before but one of my friend’s drink it, so thought I would give it go, it’s nice. I will add it to my list of future orders. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: small;">I have a pet hate with this bar, the martini glasses have squiggly stems and for some unknown reason I hate them (I prefer classic glassware), very petty I know, but I can't help it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: small;">The atmosphere is dark and relaxed, with red hues down the narrow corridor and chilled sounds. The bar has a small courtyard, back room and a random fish tank. There’s also a second floor that I have only been to once, purely because I tend to find sky high stilettos and narrow, steep, windy staircases do not mix.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: small;">The Different Drummer has a late night license so if you're leaving when the bar closes and you think "it is only midnight, I still have plenty of time for a decent sleep before going back to work".... think again. I've made that mistake before.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-Xa0ENZncaLQ_yEpFV3gObkuUJZcFzC6BdiqCHWXgVy3lUyHvuMXzng8bOwfZRbIuO2id_zzbKVrA0QYIkAY_5tsCyL8nXaEEc2o8shl8-KPlOuSqZTHltwltCOeeKyM-S0Z2sh24cM/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-Xa0ENZncaLQ_yEpFV3gObkuUJZcFzC6BdiqCHWXgVy3lUyHvuMXzng8bOwfZRbIuO2id_zzbKVrA0QYIkAY_5tsCyL8nXaEEc2o8shl8-KPlOuSqZTHltwltCOeeKyM-S0Z2sh24cM/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a></div><div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Martini rating:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"> 1 – 5 scale</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Mn9zDF6sKavLLhDh1GZwFLSd60OvigS7T_pa4bW1YHhFzunq-uQDonU04Jwlr1cNj7AzW7eXh9vYaJnVaoeijkUn8Zxf175Ahq1Hz70Ek7G9VZ1J_AaiTQQE_89g-zfSkcJCrS_Ehis/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Mn9zDF6sKavLLhDh1GZwFLSd60OvigS7T_pa4bW1YHhFzunq-uQDonU04Jwlr1cNj7AzW7eXh9vYaJnVaoeijkUn8Zxf175Ahq1Hz70Ek7G9VZ1J_AaiTQQE_89g-zfSkcJCrS_Ehis/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">See for yourself: <a href="http://www.differentdrummer.com.au/">www.differentdrummer.com.au</a></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/750689/restaurant/Glebe/Different-Drummer-Sydney"><img alt="Different Drummer on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/750689/minilogo.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-17377840132695296772011-01-22T10:43:00.001+11:002011-01-22T20:50:50.336+11:00Kudu Lounge<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: 225 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSy0rTXqmqPQrN-BJFF2XhkiPfZmX6VRHTpYPRcKz2Ha34RFspviqXBHnWVgKXhTVH_8jFnWaoITOz3G_4Y8UFXV5jWYlLRPyGO6q0y4aT8FEyJyFyqh-vBy-OVXkXYVFmIowi36w7qI/s1600/Sydney-20110121-00172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSy0rTXqmqPQrN-BJFF2XhkiPfZmX6VRHTpYPRcKz2Ha34RFspviqXBHnWVgKXhTVH_8jFnWaoITOz3G_4Y8UFXV5jWYlLRPyGO6q0y4aT8FEyJyFyqh-vBy-OVXkXYVFmIowi36w7qI/s320/Sydney-20110121-00172.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bartender Ben, my new best friend</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a successful week at work my friend and I where planning on going to Beach Haus in the Cross, we arrive to discover that it doesn't open until 8pm. As Kit & Kaboodle is also on my list of must visit places we head there. It's also closed (I really should have done some research before leaving the office).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Plan C was Kudu Lounge so we head to Victoria St, walk up the stairs into the bar. At first I wasn’t impressed, but as we all know, one should never judge a book by its cover.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We take our seats in a comfortable corner lounge where we are handed our cocktail menus, which my friend looks through (I figure I will just order what they do). The barman walks over, introduces himself (his name’s Ben) and says “welcome to Kudu lounge, I will be looking after you this evening”. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ben informs us that cocktails are just $10 until 9pm (my friend and I are thrilled as we actually arrived at 6, which allowed us to take full advantage of this offer). Ben asks us what we would like, I do my usual and say “I will have whatever you recommend”. He tells us to close the menus (mine was already closed) and asks us pick a flavour (we choose Pineapple) and then choose between sweet, sour and bitter. We wait in anticipation, not knowing what we will be getting, Ben comes back with a French Martini with a twist, it’s LOVELY.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We spend the rest of the evening letting him choose our drinks for us, with each one being different. Our last cocktail is his signature (apparently it made it in the 25 best cocktails in Australia last year) he brings all the ingredients and tools (which included a blow torch) to our table to make it in front of us. My friend and I take a sip and decide that it’s the best cocktail we’ve ever had... A big call I know, but one we are willing to make.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As we leave and say goodbye to Ben, he mentions he’s planning on setting up a cocktail bar in the inner west, potentially Glebe...FABULOUS!!!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqLRzz4k9DZyvBkvYZM_z6SYRQGf903MxDmBXzFJ9Nm-BXT1hdhC6vEy4Bis1xr0pFbZzjot15lWCRJ0lkNbk-FJaP08v77Wu66jqH_p0ApT6O8_VKUpkVNYjXFF72nxVbP7-V7l7jAQ/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqLRzz4k9DZyvBkvYZM_z6SYRQGf903MxDmBXzFJ9Nm-BXT1hdhC6vEy4Bis1xr0pFbZzjot15lWCRJ0lkNbk-FJaP08v77Wu66jqH_p0ApT6O8_VKUpkVNYjXFF72nxVbP7-V7l7jAQ/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz5wpjPVNpXbWRjDAZtEz-Blw1LMHdttVc1AFyOwoBbGbvzO0_-RSTnNzbKcG4ryQQicrGn7APZZ1yiIm7YHfROoqVQT1izTIidpdotXLueQn3EMMX5xFl5xdzAmeN1e-3EBVEHmSW6o/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz5wpjPVNpXbWRjDAZtEz-Blw1LMHdttVc1AFyOwoBbGbvzO0_-RSTnNzbKcG4ryQQicrGn7APZZ1yiIm7YHfROoqVQT1izTIidpdotXLueQn3EMMX5xFl5xdzAmeN1e-3EBVEHmSW6o/s1600/Glass_4.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: </span><a href="http://www.kudulounge.com.au/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">www.kudulounge.com.au</span></a>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322306092145415002.post-55294575722432318012011-01-08T11:25:00.005+11:002011-06-15T09:48:41.324+10:00Eden Bar & Restaurant<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Address: MLC Centre, Martin Place, Sydney</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPR83_dpP2AtRNfEolnothxsOtRLimp0L6SjkDHe3AE-e1WBfQawRhx9tc8XnnBGYJWXX-Ov8AGnmo1j-wYVDrVa_uMshY6kdOEyxARpMbGVvx-WumnrV87dNyroxvhr0udBt6rkEx_Q/s1600/IMG-20110107-00137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPR83_dpP2AtRNfEolnothxsOtRLimp0L6SjkDHe3AE-e1WBfQawRhx9tc8XnnBGYJWXX-Ov8AGnmo1j-wYVDrVa_uMshY6kdOEyxARpMbGVvx-WumnrV87dNyroxvhr0udBt6rkEx_Q/s200/IMG-20110107-00137.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the Garden of Eden</span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was my friends first week back at work after their holidays and to ease the pain of it all we head out for a few beverages on Friday night. I was running late and by the time I arrived at Eden Bar, located in Martin Place, they already had a cocktail. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">My friend informs me that while they were waiting they had seen a large number of people ordering lychee martini's, so we decide it would be our beverage of choice for the evening.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">In January the bar offers 2 for 1 cocktails from 5-8pm (all other months it ends at 7) which means this place is very busy and filled mainly with the after work finance crowd. I head to the bar and quickly get served, but instead of waiting around at a busy bar (with people talking to me that I would rather didn't) I am given a number and told that they will bring our cocktails to our table after they're made, allowing me to go back and spend time with my friends... nice touch Eden.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">As my other friend arrives it starts to rain and they're stranded under a shelter in martin place, not wanting them to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">miss out on the cocktails I head back to the bar and ask the barman if I can borrow an umbrella to go and collect my friend, he happily obliges and lends me his... what excellent service.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">But as I come back and place our second order we are informed that they have run out of lychee martinis (What?... sorry Eden this calls for a martini rating downgrade). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">However, even though they did run out of our drink of choice, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">with its friendly service and fantastic tasting cocktails, Eden</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> is still a great spot for your first few drinks after work before heading to your next destination.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqLRzz4k9DZyvBkvYZM_z6SYRQGf903MxDmBXzFJ9Nm-BXT1hdhC6vEy4Bis1xr0pFbZzjot15lWCRJ0lkNbk-FJaP08v77Wu66jqH_p0ApT6O8_VKUpkVNYjXFF72nxVbP7-V7l7jAQ/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqLRzz4k9DZyvBkvYZM_z6SYRQGf903MxDmBXzFJ9Nm-BXT1hdhC6vEy4Bis1xr0pFbZzjot15lWCRJ0lkNbk-FJaP08v77Wu66jqH_p0ApT6O8_VKUpkVNYjXFF72nxVbP7-V7l7jAQ/s1600/Sign+off.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Martini rating:</b> 1 – 5 scale</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYYWQPWm5nJCOWU8ZNDoBorx5GwyLgMKi-sGTPpr8unbxGtYLdoe2TUcc7DFjaXPywad6E5i8otqf0cZ8vCzXJ00qJZJe0hpEbEUIW9XHHBqXylJfxTXdg3a6VZOHXNkiN-FcmbB4_f8/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYYWQPWm5nJCOWU8ZNDoBorx5GwyLgMKi-sGTPpr8unbxGtYLdoe2TUcc7DFjaXPywad6E5i8otqf0cZ8vCzXJ00qJZJe0hpEbEUIW9XHHBqXylJfxTXdg3a6VZOHXNkiN-FcmbB4_f8/s1600/Glass_3.bmp" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See for yourself: <a href="http://www.edenbarandrestaurant.com.au/">http://www.edenbarandrestaurant.com.au/</a></span>Lotus Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707529811109645393noreply@blogger.com0