The good news is Oxford Street, Darlinghurst is starting to feel like it’s old self again, pre-lockouts. And with that in mind we are moving things up and beginning our Darlo evenings at new-comer The Cat's Meow for our pre-dining walk cocktail spot!
Formerly the home of Embers restaurant - which we also frequented and are still mourning the loss of their char-grilled cauliflower & pomegranate salad -TCM is in a fabulous curved, sandstone building on the corner of Little Riley & Oxford Streets.
Still owned by Henri Azzi, who ran Embers, this amazing interior harping back to the roaring 1920's, was created by Angus Henderson of Henderson & Co and took a year to complete. Henderson’s were charged with designing the space which includes Art Deco motifs, sumptuous blue velvet chairs, green marble tables and plenty of brass. It's all very moody without the darkness of being below ground, as with other bars of this style.
““It was time to get out of the restaurant game but I loved this space so decided to renovate,” says Azzi. “It seemed the area needed a bar like this too.” ”
The menu too, is a nod to Gatsby times without veering into themed territory. Designed by ex-Quay chef Camille Saint-M'leux, the bar snacks are sufficient enough to be a meal, should you want to settle in for the evening.
Made for sharing, there's fresh oysters sourced from Bateman's Bay, Hawkesbury River and Rossmore crudités with light-as-air chickpea foam in place of hummus, a cheese plate featuring the best of Australian and International produce (eaten in a clockwise fashion, from mildest to strongest, to experience the full flavours of each) and the highlight dish of the evening, the croque-monsieur with truffle béchamel. You really want to try this dish - a perfect late-night treat!
We are looking forward to introducing our guests to this sophisticated space before embarking on our Darlinghurst dining walk.
*Part of this article originally appeared in Gourmet Traveler magazine, written by Amber Manto
