This seriously glamorous venue is a sophisticated sign of Bulimba's changing times, pouring luxe tipples and serving fine-dining snacks.
There was a time when Oxford Street was all real estate agents and cinema-goers, and your quiet drink was likely to be set to the tawdry tune of poker machines. But now, between Woolies and the corner pub, a moderately un-cool entrance belies the existence of a very cool bar.
A quality wine list as long as your arm, serious cocktails, French eaux de vie, Louis Roederer by the glass - all in the suburbs? It's not impossible, apparently, and if your glamorous drink demands a matching milieu, this place has it in spades. White leather stools against a moon rock bar, travertine floors and a great sandstone wall, dim lights, cool tunes and a convivial crowd - it'll all conspire to make you stay long after you've missed the start of your film.
Bar snacks here are not the chips-and-gravy kind: sand crab tart with sweet corn puree and watercress; duck liver pate with fig jam; and barbecued sea scallops with spiced avocado and gremolata are a few of the fancy offerings from chef Jason Coats' capable kitchen. Service can be on the sparse side, but it's friendly and relaxed and, despite the fairly posh scene, comes without a hint of pretension.
Vikki Moore
