Tag: surry hills

Sofia Cocktail Lounge is the chicest place in Surry Hills

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We’re sure you’ve heard of Sofia on Cleveland after it made waves on the culinary scene at launch, but did you know the restaurant team have now opened a cocktail lounge too? Sofia Cocktail Lounge is located within Sofia on Cleveland, above Bar Cleveland, and this space is without a doubt the chicest in Surry Hills. From the decor, roaring fireplace, decadent cocktails and access to the enviable Sofia food menu, we’re almost loathe to give away the details of our new favourite hotspot. Open until late (in fact there’s no official closing time, as long as you’re drinking, they’ll stay open), Sofia’s feels better than home. With lush velvet couches, thick curtains, comfortable armchairs, plush carpets and the toasty fireplace, these exposed brick walls transport you to another era. Not an era specifically vintage, for the decor is far too sophisticated for that, but one where drinking in a bar didn’t involve precariously balancing on a stool while you shout to be heard. This is a place to have deep conversations and sample and snack your way through the menu over a number of hours. Plenty is unmissable here, but the cocktails are definitely one of the special things. Besides the classics, Sofia’s has a collection selected with care and inspiration. The Noah’s Arc for example is modelled after dessert favourite Turkish Delight, and is a fragrant, rosy tipple. While on the hard hitting end, the Saz Jazz is a play on a Sazerac, but with the addition of ricotta washed Shiraz gin and… Read More

Experience the heart of Surry Hills at this month long festival

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Beloved Sydney suburb Surry Hills is showcasing the best it has to offer (which is a lot) over the month of November. From 1-30 November, the Heart of Surry Hills festival will bring together the area’s renowned and unique culinary flavours and experiences in one all-encompassing showcase. The month-long program of food and beverage, art, markets and music includes a community art project, signature cocktails and brews, bespoke dining menus, walking tours, and even a free showcase event in Shannon Reserve featuring live music, DJ’s, food and beverage all celebrating the local brewers and distillers of Surry Hills. City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “The City of Sydney is proud to support the month-long program. This activation for the month of November highlights the very best of our world-class hospitality venues, distilleries, and breweries as well as connecting communities through art and music.” A culinary adventure awaits those bold enough to sample the specialty dishes and cocktails being created across more than 40 Surry Hills participating venues. Dining Experience Ambassador Jimmy Wong said, “At the Heart of Surry Hills, come and discover the vibrant and often surprising food, dining and drinks scene, right here in my Surry Hills. From the early hours of breakfast right through to the night, there is always something exciting to be discovered. Try a special cocktail at Eileen’s bar at the Four Pillars Laboratory, dine with an enviable degustation at The Blue Door, revel in urban chic at Tokki and savour stunning Italian cuisine at Mille Vini.” On… Read More

Inside Gildas, Lennox Hastie’s new Surry Hills wine bar

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Lennox Hastie of Firedoor fame has opened a new venture in Surry Hills that’s sure to become a fast favourite. Why? Besides his stellar reputation on the foodie scene, Gildas is simply the perfect neighbourhood wine bar, Inspired by Hastie’s time in the Basque region of Spain, Gildas brings a touch of elegance to the concept of pintxos (meaning snacks in Spanish) with an elevated menu featuring small dishes that pay homage to the ingredients of the original pintxo; a guindilla pepper, an olive, and an anchovy. You’ll find plenty of locally sourced ingredients on the menu too as is Hastie’s ethos of finding the best a region has to offer. A standout is the pintxo Matilda, featuring finger lime and delicately sliced kangaroo. Offering seasonal produce, the menu will be ever changing, but trust that a staple will be the world renowned hams of Spain. The jamon Iberico melts in your mouth! Of course pintxos aren’t just about the food, the Basque tradition is also about locals gathering to tell stories and enjoy a drink, and suffice to say the wine and sherry selections have a lot to say. With over 10 sherrys to choose from, you can spend your evening tasting just those and pair them with dishes containing sherry notes and flavours. If you’d prefer to try it all however, the wine menu is a Spanish wine lovers dream. Featuring varieties less common in Australia, it’s a feast for the tastebuds with a knowledgeable sommelier on staff to guide you through, and… Read More

Best burgers in Sydney: 4 Pines Brewery on Crown Street, Surry Hills

4 Pines Surry Hills bar

When it comes to burgers, Sydney has drunk the koolade and joined the march toward the best of them – quite possibly in all of Oz. However, sitting atop that little pick of bread-sandwiched deliciousness is 4 Pines Brewery on Crown Street, Surry Hills. They’re new; rustic; open-aired and open-armed, welcoming-in locals and passers-by from all over the joint into their open-plan burger and beer bar for good times and general shenanigans. It’s a relaxed vibe – beers on tap, relaxed destressed wood tables, milk crate- type seats near the open bay window and a first floor bar for a more intimate thing, it’s nice. They sell their own beers, which come in a range of about 7+ from lighter, to heavier and hoppier. Regardless of your taste, they’re all nice. For those who’re not well-versed in beer, think lighter for day time, darker for night time. And what goes better with beer? Nothing but burgers. They’ve got a modest range, but hot damn, what they do, they do well. Pork burgers, chicken burgers, beef burgers; the works. There’s something about the brioche they use with the crispy factor they’ve managed to achieve on all their burgers and bits. And the best/most impressive thing? They’re all pumped out of a kitchen that’s half the size of your bedroom. Applause. They’ve even got a blokey coffee imbued beer – like the dude’s espresso martini – which has the flavour without the wiringly-good buzz of a decent smack of caffeine. Great for those who dig the flavour,… Read More

Surry Hills Sydney is getting a new Basque restaurant: Ortzi

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From the people behind Sagra in Darlinghurst, Ortzi has opened in Surry Hills this month, serving-up the best of Basque in a flash new venue. On Hunt Street in Surry Hills, chef and co-owner Michael Otto is behind the menu with the support of fellow co-owner and chef, Edward Saxton, together bringing a wonderful blend of traditional and Basque-inspired pintxos lead a shared-concept dinner menu that reflects the flavours of the Basque region. They’re all about dishes that adapt, changing the menu throughout the week to cater to every element of the whole beasts butchered on site so no part is wasted. “My aim is to let the ingredients shine and ensure that each dish is more than just a sum of its parts. For us to adapt the menu on almost a daily basis, we must be intuitive cooks. We’re fostering a creative environment for the chefs to take what is available in front of them in terms of a beast, seafood and vegetables, and create something that not only does the produce justice but is also is reflective of the Basque region”, says Otto. Find them at: Ortzi 6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills ortzi.com.au Monday to Saturday: 12pm – 3pm Monday to Wednesday: 6pm – 10pm Thursday to Saturday: 6pm – 12pm