Sophisticated New Niche For Foodies
HARRY'S Bar is a new uber-cool bar, oozing sophistication and style with a matching menu to boot!
Team Griffin, otherwise known as brothers Paul and Mark and father Garry came up with the idea of starting a bar a few years ago. And the day my colleague and I visited the hotspot there was definitely a buzz in the air following not one but two successful launches the week before with media-types still lurking around for a sticky beak or two.
Inside the scene was set with marble tables, a revamped bar and funky feature walls and the soulful sounds of John Legend playing in the background - right then and there I knew we were on to a winner.
Co-owner and chef Paul immediately greeted and told us to prepare for a chef-inspired tapas tasting menu (served only in the dining room with booking essential), where there would be no choice of dishes - intrigued? We were too, and with Paul's French and Asian cooking influences we could not wait to embark.
First stop France - well not really but you get the drift.
The Charcuterie Plate is a French traditional platter served with a selection of smallgoods including Merguez sausages, onion jam and confit duck salad , duck prosciutto and duck liver parfait rosella glaze and brioche.
The sausages, a combination of pork and beef were served on caramelized onion and oven dried tomato - tasty and spicy with just that little bit of bite.
The duck liver parfait was smoky and smooth in texture - definitely different.
My colleague dived into the prosciutto style duck and commented it was well seasoned and reminded her a little of anchovy.
Paul matched our platter perfectly with a 2006 Brokenwood Pinot Noir, which delightfully complimented both duck dishes and surprisingly the sausages too.
Our next chef's surprise was a Seafood course, which included prawns, scampi and scallop.
This colourful Asian inspired dish looked so good I could not wait to get into it.
The marinated and grilled Exmouth tiger prawns served in a coconut and turmeric sauce was juicy, tender and had just a hint of chilli.
I love prawns any which way but these were in a class of their own - just delicious, so much so I wanted the second but my colleague's glaring eyes warned me otherwise.
The seared scallops on garlic potato gnocchi with spiced chorizo oil were next on my hit list and what a combination they were.
The tender scallops and melt in your mouth gnocchi topped with chorizo - fantastic.
I would order both these dishes again in a heartbeat.
My colleague loved the Butter poached scampi cocktail on a fennel and radish salad with tomato jelly.
Saying the cucumber, lime and mayonnaise made for a refreshing combination, and was the perfect infusion of contrasting flavours.
It was matched well with the 2005 Eden Valley Henschke Louis, which was crisp and perfect to sip on this warm autumn day.
All dishes definitely packed a punch and enforced the notion good things certainly do come in small packages.
One other thing to note - patrons not wanting food from the tasting menu can order from Harry's bar extensive dining menu, which offers a range of good quality dishes. Patrons also have the option to dine in the dining room or choose a more casual area like the main bar, laneway or alfresco to have snacks, wood-fire pizza or a full meal.
So we came, we saw and certainly conquered - Harry's Bar has something for everyone. Whether it's a meal from their varied menu, appreciating some live music or just enjoying a drink from their extensive bar, it is one place to hit up when you want to paint the town red!!!
