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/

Orbit Lounge Bar

Address: Level 47, 264 George St, Sydney

Take me for a spin

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.

Orbit is located on the 47^th floor of Australian Square and is a rotating bar offering stunning views of Sydney. 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.

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.

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 Victorian Room 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.

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.






Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale 

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

China Doll

Address: 6 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo

I'll have a side order of bikini, thank you

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.


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.


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 " 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.


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.


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 Woolloomooloo warf, know it's a dead end. Obviously these guys where wanting to parade themselves with their lady friends for all to see. 


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.








Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

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

Roseleaf and The Shore

Location: Leith, Edinburgh

A review from Lotus Martini’s International Correspondent, Edinburgh

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

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

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

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

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

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

Both bars: 4 stars.

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/