Foodie back lane and lifestyle district Kensington Street has just revealed the latest card in it’s deck of delicious venues. Located in a charming 1840s terrace, Bar Chinois is the area’s first small bar, and it brings with it a flair for fusion cuisine and cocktails.
As the name suggests, Bar Chinois celebrates the marrying of French and Asian ideas and flavours. And in a nod to chinoiserie, a decorative trend that exploded in eighteenth century Europe with broad Chinese stylings, the interior is a chic, sumptuous affair complete with a gorgeous plant atrium and courtyard.
The drinks list reflects sophistication with an instinct for Francophile fun. Signature cocktails are served in elegant teapots. Try the Coco Chanel, a blend of 1800 coconut tequila, passionfruit, lime, apple and lemon sorbet, or quench that five o’clock thirst with a Monsieur Earl or Bijou. Punters can also enjoy a selection of French Champagne as well as Asian beers, including Tiger and Asahi.
Leading the kitchen team is ex-Paramount Coffee Project and The Nine Chef Nalinil Nonkham. The menu combines iconic French dishes with Asian seasonings. Take for example the sticky pork belly baguette with camembert, caramelised onion, pickled cucumber, red chili, daikon, coriander and mint, or the Croque Monsieur with smoked ham, gruyere cheese, béchamel and cauliflower pickle (or go Madame and add an egg).
Bar Chinois also serves salt cod croquettes with wasabi béarnaise, Tokyo crepes with enoki and shitake mushroom and kimchi pomme frites topped with gruyere cheese. For something sweet, enjoy a crepe with caramelised banana and lemon sorbet.
On Sunday, Chinois opens at 9am for all-day brunch. The menu includes homemade kaya on croissant, cheese souffle with enoki mushroom, poached egg, shallot and baguette and tuna takaki with heirloom tomato, goats cheese and wasabi avocado on sourdough toast.
Bar Chinois
16 Kensington Street, Chippendale
Open Mon – Sat 12pm – late, Sun 9am –10pm
www.kensingtonstreet.com.au/vendors/bar-chinois