Reviewed by: Georgia Cassimatis
It’s about time Sydney’s CBD had a one stop, casual, chic, bar and restaurant hub where every dining need was catered to, and this rather exotic urban oasis: Social at Verandah and Verandah Bar, is it.
Perched above the city streets on Elizabeth Street in Martin Place the bar’s signature style open balcony with its serious fashion foliage – the venue is decked out in 150 plants – timber bars, plush velvet lounges, large timber tables and tropical wallpaper with images of cheeky monkeys makes it feel like a jungle, inside the concrete jungle so to speak.
Testament to its success are the comments you’ll hear rather loudly from first time diners as they are immediately transported by its interior design such as: ‘Wow’, ‘How cool is this’, ‘this is not what you expect from outside’ and ‘love the atmosphere’, before even venturing down the chandelier hanging, glass lined hallway to Social At Verandah – the fine dining leg of the ‘Social’ experience.
The brainchild of owners Nick Wills and Simon Tilley from hospitality group Tilley and Wills, their aim was to create a venue that was relaxed and playful, with exceptional food, service and drinks: the bar features a global wine list, 30 international and local gins, as well as an extensive list of whiskey and signature cocktails: inspired by the 1950s obsession with gin and whiskey.
In achieving this, only hospitality royalty are on deck with award winning Executive Chef Brad Sloane at the helm, who has given pub grub a sophisticated edge with his modern Australian creations: all food is ethically and locally sourced native Australian flavours. Bartender Cameron Pascoe, the man behind your next martini and the creator of all those debonair cocktails, has such rapport it makes you feel like you’re on the set of the TV sitcom Cheers.
While feasting on ‘snacks’ in The Naughty Corner: my favourite, the Kaarage Popcorn Chicken, complemented with flatbread and dips such as the exquisite spicy pumpkin hummus, we float down the retro like corridor into Social At Verandah where we indulge in our chosen feast of Kangaroo Tartare served with crackling and a side of fries, The Nettle Gnocchi drizzled with snowflakes of gremolata and sauteé mushrooms, and my supreme indulgence the Truffled Mac & Cheese, all delightfully paired with the signature cocktail creation, The TillyWills Martini, it’s description: ‘powerful, fruity…and a bit of fun’.
The real test for how good the food was? We didn’t touch the fries.
Verandah Bar and Social at Verandah has eight versatile event spaces available for events and bookings, with a capacity up to 700 pax and is taking bookings for end of financial year and more.
Address: 55 Elizabeth Street, Martin Place
Opening times: Verandah Bar is open 11.30am till late
Monday-Friday. Social at Verandah is open 12pm – 10.30pm Monday-Friday.
Website: https://www.verandah.com.au/