New York, New York
If you have ever walked down Bowery Street in Manhattan, New York, you would have experienced the mixture of old cobblestones and modern architecture, corporate suits and high fashion heels, boutiques and eateries. Take a walk down O’Connell Street in the CBD and you’ll find new bar and eatery, Bowery Lane. In a fitting tribute to it’s namesake, Bowery Lane offers a bit of everything – it’s a restaurant, bar and café.
Blink and you’ll miss it. Hidden amongst glass office buildings; Bowery Lane occupies an exciting new space that is also set to see the opening of Chur Burger. The contemporary American style bistro joins Palmer and Co., Frankie’s Pizza, and The Baxters Inn to bring a touch of the US of A to Sydney’s inner city business district.
Walk up the stairs and past the takeaway coffee counter to enter the monochrome dining space. The wooden floors compliment industrial light fittings and curtains made of canvas cloth sacks provide cover from the busy city streets. Couples sit intimately in diner-style booths, whilst large groups comfortably occupy the big, middle tables.
An open bar provides classic American cocktails with a modern twist. In an ode to prohibition New York, we enjoyed ‘Southside Gangster’ ($19), a deadly and delicious mixture of Tanqueray gin shaken with St. Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice and mint leaves. The ‘Bowery Breakfast Martini’ ($17), was another fruity and tart pre-dinner aperitif – a mixture of white rum and Aperol shaken with lemon juice, fresh white grapefruit juice and mint.
A wide selection of beer and cider, sparkling, white, and red wine, complement the cocktail list. The 2012 S.C. Pannell blend (gls $13) is a balanced and subtle red wine option, perfect for both the lighter seafood dishes and the slow-cooked red meat choices.
Moving past the bar stands the kitchen window and takeaway counter. Co-owner Kaz Derbas emphasised that Bowery Lane is supposed to feel welcoming and familiar, hence the large open kitchen and bar counter areas. For a light entree, try the house smoked hickory salmon with puffed wild rice, bottarga salad and burnet ($17). The crispness of the rice is a perfect complement to the smooth texture of the salmon.
Check out their “Monday Burger Nights” – from 3-9pm get a cheeseburger with a Brooklyn Lager or wine for $20. On “Feast Night Tuesdays” order a share dish between 2 or 3 with 1 side for $50.