Capital Grill

Address: The Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney (Entrance cnr Loftus Street & Reiby Place).

Do you really need to bring a laptop to a bar?

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.

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.

It’s smart and very corporate. There’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.

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.

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.

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.
 

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale 

See for yourself: http://www.capitalgrill.com.au/

Ms G’s

Address: 155 Victoria St, Potts Point

Good morning Vietnam

When the planets are finally aligned some old friends and I are reunited. We head to Ms G's.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.








Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.merivale.com/#/msgs/msgs

Rockpool Bar & Grill

Address: 66 Hunter Street, Sydney

Simply stunning

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.

Located in one of the finest art deco buildings in Sydney, right above its sister restaurant Spice Temple, 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 Manhattan in the 1950’s (I wish I had worn my vintage dress… oh well, next time).

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).

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:

“Gentlemen, don’t approach ladies; and if you are so lucky to have one approach you, endear her as you would your mother”.

Advice I wish certain gentleman I have previously known had taken.

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.

The verdict. An absolute must for any self-respecting socialite.






Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.rockpool.com.au/sydney/bar-and-grill/

Steel Bar & Grill

Address: 2/60 Carrington Street, Sydney

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.steelbarandgrill.com/ 

Cafe Sydney

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

5 plus 1

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

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

So 6 of us head to Cafe Sydney.

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

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

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

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

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.cafesydney.com

Eden Bar & Restaurant

Address: MLC Centre, Martin Place, Sydney

In the Garden of Eden

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. 

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.

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.

As my other friend arrives it starts to rain and they're stranded under a shelter in martin place, not wanting them to 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.

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). 

However, even though they did run out of our drink of choice, with its friendly service and fantastic tasting cocktails, Eden is still a great spot for your first few drinks after work before heading to your next destination.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.edenbarandrestaurant.com.au/

District Dining

Address: 17 Randle St, Surry Hills

I know this place is a restaurant but it does have a small bar (and I did drink two cocktails while I was there) so I thought... may as well write about it.

The Sydney connoisseur of all things fancy suggests to a selected few that we should head out to lunch, as they are my ticket to all things fabulous I instantly knew I couldn’t refuse.

We jump into a taxi to make a quick escape (it's a work day after all) and head to Surry Hills. We arrive at a bistro style restaurant which is located close to Central Station, it’s apparently the new venture of Warren Turnbull, the chef of the two-hatted restaurant Assiette (I'm not what some may call a "foodie" so I don't particularly care about this fact).

While there is a large variety of tapas style share plates on the menu (which I must say are all fantastic), there is only a small selection of seasonal cocktails. I order the first one on the menu, the Pacific Princess, purely because it has all things I love; vodka, mint, lime, honey, apple and pomegranate juice. I wait in anticipation, the waiter approaches and as he picks up a glass from the tray to place it on our table, it falls, and six drinks spill all over him. I felt bad, I really hoped his day got better.

When round two of our drinks arrive I'm served my cocktail in a ceramic glass, which I'm sure could double as the holy grail in Indiana Jones... it wasn't for me, it tasted like cough medicine.  I get Peach Bellini envy as the friend I'm sitting next to enjoys their selection, I place my cough medicine to the side and order that... I'm glad I did, it's excellent.

While I'm no restaurant critic, I have been to my fair share and I must admit I have already placed my next reservation at District Dining.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




See for yourself: www.districtdining.com.au

Sake Restaurant and Bar

Address: 12 Argyle Street, The Rocks

For gods sake…

Having enjoyed a birthday lunch here earlier in the year, I was looking forward to going back to enjoy the cocktails that Sake has to offer with Shinkansen, Astro Boy and Bang on! being my personal favourites.

I call ahead to ensure there is room for my group at the bar, we arrive and after trying to explain to the hostess “no we don’t have a booking we are just here for some cocktails” (a concept she could not quite process), the phone rings and the hostess holds up her palm, in front of my face to stop me from talking and says "excuse me can you just wait" as she proceeds to answer the phone… Excuse me… Are you serious… You. Are. Not. In. New York. Honey!

We are finally told we can sit at the tables near the bar, (more like the naughty corner) where we wait for someone to take our order, and then wait a little bit more. I’m not the most patient of people so I eventually give up and go place our order (lucky for me it was worth it as a cute barman serves me).

Loving everything Japanese I do enjoy Sake’s well designed Japanese layout which is both open and inviting. However, when you're looking forward to a dash of cinnamon in your cocktail you’re not expecting a dash of bi#@h as well.

Don't get me wrong, I'm an absolute fan of the food and cocktails that Sake has on offer, but the hostess needs to lose her power trip and remember… Darling, you're working at a cash register, no need for the attitude!

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.sakerestaurant.com.au/