It’s a Matcha-Made in Heaven at One Tea Lounge and Grill
It would be crazy to inspire a whole restaurant around one ingredient, right? Wrong! Let us introduce to you, One Tea Lounge & Grill and their secret ingredient, Matcha.
Matcha is green tea extract, traditionally brewed in Japanese tea ceremonies. Matcha is also a super fun ingredient to get creative with, and that’s just what the team at One Tea Lounge & Grill have done. Think matcha fries, slider buns, cocktails, ice cream, salt, waffles and trust us, the list goes on. The team have planned a menu with particular dishes featuring the normally unseen ingredient. To accompany the matcha inspired menu is a drinks list with the same amount of spark and surprise.
Signature cocktails all feature matcha tea, of course. You can’t go wrong with a “Matcha Made In Heaven” with vodka, lime, Japanese green tea and yuzu, finished with a spray of salted nori. Or maybe the “So Pre Tea” is more your style, with cucumber, elderflower and citron vodka mixed with citrus and Gyokuru green tea. If you’re more inclined towards Japanese whiskeys trust us on this one, these guys have you covered. A whiskey list with Japanese favourites such as Suntory Kakubin, Nikka from the barrel, five 12 year-olds and Hibiki 17 year-old is waiting for you to try. Their premium whiskeys are Chichibu On The Way ($45) and Chichibu Chibidaru ($65).
Opt in for the Matcha Ice Tubes to get you started. A shot of Suntory Kakubin and a shot of Hibiki 12 year-old, both separately mixed with One Tea Lounge’s secret Matcha Liqueur, create matcha shots. These are presented in a rack of test tubes. It is an awesome way to enjoy whiskey for someone who isn’t highly accustomed with these blends. You can choose any liqueur to be mixed with the Matcha Liqueur in the test tubes for $3 extra.
The ONE Tea Experience consists of Tanqueray gin, peach liqeuer, lemon with chilled green tea, bitters and a hint of rose. It’s presented on an impressive mini ferris wheel with smokey dry ice on the bottom. Japanese teacups are used to hold your cocktail around the wheel as it is poured in by teapot. The presentation is immaculate, creative and fun. You can tell the efforts and imagination that the team have come up with are brilliant, creative and worthwhile with the amount of camera flashes and Instagraming going on at every table.
The set menus are a good way to try different items if you are unsure of what to order. One Tea Lounge have received a lot of attention for their ramen burger. Instead of a bun your patty is served between two compressed, warm ramen noodle buns (yes, it’s a thing). For the theatrics and amazing taste, we suggest you try the 9+ Wagyu Beef Flaming Volcano and Gyokoru Smoked Octopus. Make sure you don’t leave without trying the best desserts we’ve had in a long time, including the Matcha Lava Bomb and the green tea and sesame baogers served on crisp and sweet buns.
In the heart of the city, this little gem is one to keep on your radar. Don’t be put off by the fit out which is a bit daggy (it feels kind of like a hotel lobby from the 1990’s). The food and drinks are worth the visit to One Tea Lounge & Grill.
One Tea Lounge & Grill
Upper Ground Floor, 73 York St, Sydney, 02 9279 3311
http://www.onetealounge.com.au/
Monday – Wednesday Lunch 11:00AM – 3:00PM Dinner 5:30PM – 10:00PM
Thursday – Friday Lunch 11:00AM – 3:00PM Dinner 5:30PM – 12:00AM
Saturday Dinner 5:30PM – 12:00AM
Still keen for more matcha? Cafe Oratnek in Redfern does green tea matcha lamingtons! Check them out here.