Zabou Bar & Grill brings the Big Apple to Sydney’s CBD.

The excitement of a new food spot never seems to get old, especially when the menu fronts cheesy American delights and Manhattan classics. Launching in July this year, Zabou Bar & Grill on York Street is found on Level One above Club York. Attracting both members and non-members alike, this Bar & Grill delivers big flavours in Sydney’s CBD. Influenced by their Greek heritage and the street food delights of South America, father and son duo Alex and Gene Arkoudis offer a food and drink menu which screams pure cheese mayhem.

After being greeted by Gene himself and head-chef Costa, my date and I sat down at a table next to the bar, ready to conquer the epic menu. Ordering our first round of cocktails from bartender and full-time legend Asher, the indistinctive chatter from the tables around us fills the air. 
Looking around the room, much of the corporate crowd from Martin Place have found their way to Club York for The Red October special, a beer simmered kransky with sun dried tomato pesto, sauerkraut & caramelised onion ($17.5). Sipping on my “Frosty Fruit” ($17) whilst glancing down on the menu, I say a quiet prayer, hoping this place serve their food with personalised bibs. 
The Frosty fruit delivered well as the first beverage of the night, the Cointreau, Aperol, fresh passionfruit pulp, lemon and lime served tall and proud. For those of you who have more of a sweet tooth, don’t give the “Jaffa Manhattan” ($17) a miss. It’s a tasty tipple of Grand Marnier, Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur and Cointreau stirred slowly over ice. An absolute house classic, and an all-time favourite.

Zabou has a range of interesting and unusual favourites on their cocktail menu. This includes the ‘Doctor’s Orders’, Zabou’s flagship creation made with Guatemalan rum Ron Zacapa stirred slowly over ice with Sweet and Dry Vermouth, walnut bitters and a honey reduction. It’s both sweet and strong, served in an old Manhattan style tumbler. The ‘Salted Caramel Espresso Martini’ is Zabou’s twist on a timeless favourite. It’s made using fresh espresso and shaken with Finlandia Vodka, Mr. Black Cold Drip coffee liqueur and salted caramel. 

With our appetites sufficiently wetted, we quickly moved onto the food menu. The night began with the “9 for 9” Buffalo marinated chicken wings ($9) and house french fries ($7). Served with special house sauce and a smokey BBQ sauce ($9), Zabou has set the new standard of how chicken wings should be served. The special house sauce was indeed special, having me question the exact ingredients.
Continuing my quest of finding Sydney’s best pulled pork, we next ordered the 12 hour slow roasted South-American pulled pork ($16.5). Served with fresh chipotle, coleslaw and double Swiss cheese, this dish scores high on the pulled pork scoreboard. It’s really tender and juicy, served with perfectly melted cheese and a soft bun. My date ordered a full rack of BBQ Baby Back Ribs (GF) because, why not? Served with fresh garden salad and french fries ($36), was it satisfying you ask? Oh yes.
Other highlights on the menu include the “Sloppy José” ($18), made with Mexican mixed beans, fresh guacamole, salsa and jalapeños served on cheese Arepas. 
Zabou is also dishing up an array of hot dogs, five different types of fries, steaks, souvlaki, schnitzel and home brewed beer battered fish and chips. So don’t worry, there’s enough to go around. Be warned though, as there are no bibs in sight, so don’t wear white and definitively make use of the dinner napkin. 
Zabou Bar & Grill
95-99 York St, Sydney 2000
Opening hours: Mon- Tues 10am – 12am, Weds- Fri 10am – 1am, Saturday 11am – 1am and Sunday 11am – 7.30am.
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