citybites
scene bar
There's been a revolution in Brisbane's West End of late: huge, thumping megaclubs are making way for a more sophisticated approach to a great night out. Locals now favour a more relaxed, New York village vibe and there's a growing number of bars and bistros happy to cater to the demand. The latest kid on the block is Loft, a boutique cocktail and wine bar perched high above Boundary Street. Beer lovers don't miss out either, with a respectable line-up of craft beers also available. Loft's indoor/outdoor setting suits Brisbane's relaxed summer style. The large interior space opens onto a massive deck complete with antiques and lush hanging greenery. The food is as simple and elegant as the surroundings and comes in small, tapas-style servings to mix, match and share. www.
BRISSIE STYLE
loftwestend.com
out & about
JAPANESE GEM
A seriously funky Japanese izakaya-style restaurant and bar has joined Sydney's Oxford Street scene. Kaya promises a fresh approach to cuisine. Think fun
cocktails, eclectic wines, yakitori and a binchotan-fuelled robata grill. With a cool downstairs bar where tunes are spun by resident DJ Yin Yang, and walls painted by Melbourne artist Ness Flett, Kaya is set to be a regular haunt for Sydneysiders seeking something exciting and different. Forget deep-fried snacks and heavy bar food from the pubs in this area; Kaya raises the bar with its broad selection of fresh, tasty and inventive food that has its roots in traditional Japanese fare. Sit back and do some people-watching on Oxford Street while sipping on a cocktail such as the Bonzai Massacre (lychees with Wyborowa vodka, Cointreau, blood organge and Aperol jelly) and then dig into some of the light, refreshing delights on offer, such as venison tataki with cherry tomatoes, garlic chips, wafu aojiso and ponzo; and crispy skin ocean trout with yuzu salt, shiso and pea puree. www.kayasydney.com
7
