You know that kind of guy…wit as sharp as a Saville row suit, a weakness for embellishment, never seen around Sydney in anything less than a waxed moustache and a crisp collared shirt? Henry Deane is your man, and whilst you’ll be 100 years too late, his ‘high’ standards apply in more ways than one, in a refreshingly nostalgic but stunning new Millers Point venue.
Sydney has never seen anything like this; a rooftop cocktail bar majestically perched in a remote corner of the Rocks. It’s simply 360 degrees of drop dead gorgeousness across two floors. Formerly a drinking den for Anzacs and ‘wharfies’ its more recently been derelict for eight years until The Palisade Group took on a mission of love, led by designer Sibella Court (Palings, Mr Wong, Palmer & Co) whose skill for blending art deco and 21st Century, dazzles in what must be her best work yet. Pink sofas, soft pebble tones, muslin curtains, rose gold metal embellishments and walls of tiny white hexagonal tiles. Sprawl on a sofa, sit at a high table or even better grab one of the few spots out on the balcony.
Chef Joel Bennett delivers his own artistry; scallops with miso butter are followed by heirloom tomatoes, ricotta and confit garlic served on organically styled plateware matched with rose coloured metal cutlery. A bok choy, wasabi & bonito dressing brings Kingfish to new heights while soba noodles with broccolini and peanuts along with a dish of smokey spiced cauliflower topped with dark, alluring crunchy almonds are rare vegetarian dishes.
Of course you can’t enjoy the sunset properly without a cocktail; so go tropical with a coconut and pandan daiquiri with Havana Club, salted sugar and fresh lime or you may opt for some beautiful Tasmanian bubbles. One thing’s for sure, this place is a knock out, and surely a spot worthy of a NYE down payment for what is soon to be one of the most sought after parties of the year.
