Kate Liquorish

Food
Think seriously delicious sharing plates designed to be eaten at the bar or on the balcony at sunset… You’ll find a mix of Asian-inspired dishes and a hearty selection of comfort favourites. Not to be missed is the brisket stew and steamed buns: based on Julia Child’s beef bourguignon recipe, it’s a metaphoric hug from the inside. Other favourites include the grilled pork bangers with creamy polenta, tomato relish and parmesan, and the beef sirloin with sauce verde and triple-cooked fries.

If it’s something light and fresh you’re after, then the fermented barley salad with basil, semi-dried tomatoes, sous vide egg yolk and kimchi dressing is the one for you. On the snack menu you’ll find delicious tuna ‘tacos’: tuna tartare served on potato crisps, seriously good mushroom arancini with a parmesan aioli, and crispy white bait with a miso aïoli.

For dessert there’s churros with a peanut butter and chocolate sauce and a cheese board for two, but most opt for a cigar from the humidor and one of the premium cognacs.

Drinks
It’s a cocktail offering of the highest standing in a laidback but trendy environment. Head mixologist/barman Devin Cross designs seasonal, themed menus that are beautifully crafted and balanced. His menus are broken up into ‘savoury’, ‘refreshing’ ‘stimulating’ and ‘fermentation situation’. All of their kombuchas, sodas and syrups are made on site and you really can taste the love poured into every drink. There’s also a superb and very competitively-priced wine list, a great selection of champagnes, delectable Boschendal bubbles by the glass, superb G&Ts and all you could want in terms of spirits.

Service
Service is cool and collected. Waiters are knowledgeable, friendly and get the job done.

Ambience
It’s on the same strip as Marble, so the views from the open balcony are fantastic. The space is modern and chic, with the bar taking centre stage. You’ll find a lounge area in front of the bar and a dining area just behind it, but most people opt to sit out on the balcony to up the cityscape. (It should be noted that the balcony is a smoking area and on Friday nights and First Thursdays the whole place pumps with live music and big crowds, so avoid planning romantic sundowners for two on those evenings.)

Best for…
Sundowners, after-work drinks and Saturday brunches.

(August 2019)

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.