RocaFelas - Review

Reviewed by Regi Su
Hideyhole, dark furnishings, dark ceilings and skull shaped candles- these are the things that light up the RocaFelas with character. Kellett Street, Potts Point welcomes the opening of a new bar/restaurant RocaFelas, where the walls are adorned with Frida Khalo quotes of roses and, the ceiling of the main area is covered in a meadow of faux- floral delight. With comic pages as wallpaper, the place is so kitch, it's actually awesome, it's so tacky it's in vogue, it has not one theme but many. The music swings, from soulful and cuban, to upbeat rock and loud. Photos of a youthful Mick Jagger and other such black and white rockstars peer down upon the goings on, while the lyrics of 'Hey Jude' blare- chalked on doorways. Its a bit kitch, a bit Mexican Day of the Dead.

The launch event is lubricated with Stolen Rum, endorsed by the brand's Australasian ambassador. He created specialty cocktails and mocktails- passionfruit pulp, Stolen Rum, cider and strawberries really hit spot, while mint and ginger beer mocktails for my partner refreshed and rejuvenated. The drinks are good value, quality and enticing with a variety of cocktails or standard drinks on the list.

Finger food provided a taste of the pizzas and appetizers available at the restaurant/bar that is RocaFelas. Thin based cheesy pizzas, Italian herb meatballs and arancini (rice balls stuffed with mozzarella), were among the many delicacies on offer. Their restaurant licence means that despite the new lockout laws filtering through Kings Cross and the CBD, this bar seems to be thriving on the vibrant, intimate atmosphere, the kind that welcomes people with promises of good food that doesn't need a drink. Don't hold your breath for a drink, but The RocaFelas will stay open for any who want to grab a bite after lockout. And that's not all- it's on a strip of clubs, cafes and restaurants which have already established set reputations and a set clientelle, which leaves room for the RocaFelas to attract all the area's lively adult socialites looking for a new haunt.

The Balcony Bar - Review

Reviewed by Regi Su
Lightly scented candles mix with the warm delight of good food being cooked in the kitchen, as I explore the upstairs landing of The Balcony Bar. Quaint little tables and chairs hang over a balcony overlooking Erskine Street, just a short walk from Wynyard station. Inside, plush lounges and couches allow for a comfortable, languid setting, the kind to hypnotise you into a calm lull.

The Balcony Bar is a thin terrace-gone-bar and rather sheek, very trendy. Deep red, almost black walls darken both upper and lower landings. It truly makes you feel like you’re cocooned in the warm lap of Aphrodite, while chalked on the walls are quotes of food and wine appreciation. The bar isn’t dark, though, and it’s not ominous. It’s snug and cozy, but at the same time, it’s elegant and sophisticated in its simplicity.

Vanilla prawns were the most delectable surprise on the menu. So sweet, saccharine enough that if the sauce was by itself, the dish would be too much like a dessert. When vanilla beans and honey are mixed with prawns, however, the result is a subtle, mellow blend of warm goodness. The sweetness doesn’t overpower the taste of the prawns, rather, the sauce lightly serenades the seafood.

The Pork Belly was juicy, tender and the sauce was just right. The meat was fall-apart and crunchy in all the right places and, not too fatty. This dish was nothing less than moan-worthy good because it tasted a little homemade. It’s as if the goddess Hestia cooked this dish herself. Although it’s a bar, they offer main meals, lunch, dessert and tapas, alongside their vast selection of wines, beers and cocktails. The food, however, is full-bodied and flavoursome. It takes just one element and cooks it right, like a sweet prawn. It’s homey simplicity, it’s so yummy.

The French Meat tasting platter is a new addition to The Balcony Bar menu. A selection of pates, chorizo and more accompanied by lightly dressed cherry tomatoes were an assortment of tasty little morsels that left me wanting more.

The Teriyaki Salmon was drenched in a molasses-like teriyaki sauce, and the fish was perfect. The salmon was tender, flaking in its delicacy. Flavoursome and full-bloded, the salmon was oh-so satisfying.

Last but not least, the home-cut chips were just so great. When you try home-made chips these days, they generally end up tasting like every other chip in the world. These were different. They were soft, they had a light crunch and, they were identifiable as potatoes. Salted and served with homemade barbeque sauce, these chips had a rustic authenticity to them and they were just really yummy. The Balcony Bar is a recent addition to Erskine Street which opens for lunch and dinner on weekdays and has just begun opening for dinner of Saturdays. They’re open to private functions as they have ample room with over two stories, two bars and plenty of places to sit and relax. The staff are more than accommodating and gentlemanly and I was very impressed with the venue. If anything, I’d go back just for the Pork and Prawns.