Healthy Food: The Dispensary Launch: Floating Pop Up Bar, Sydney Harbour (6 Oct 2011)

Friday, October 7, 2011

The Dispensary Launch: Floating Pop Up Bar, Sydney Harbour (6 Oct 2011)

Floating Pop Up Bar, Farm Cove near Mrs Macquaries Chair

Water taxi from Man o' War Steps Wharf near Sydney Opera House

Thurs - Sat, 6 pm til midnight, 7–8, 13–15, 20–22 Oct 2011

http://thepremise.com.au

Pop Up Bar with excellent views

“Before any great bar, there's a premise: One idea that gives it a reason to exist. For the second year running, Drambuie gives the opportunity of a lifetime: A chance to create and run your very own bar”

Thanks to Daniela Penno from Polkadot PR for inviting me to the launch of the new floating pop up bar on Sydney Harbour. It's only on for 3 weeks so you'll have to be quick to check it out. The views are excellent and as long as there's good weather you'll feel pretty comfortable on board. If it's windy then you'll probably feel as if you're in a drunken sway before downing your first Drambuie cocktail. The Dispensary Signature Drink ($15) of Drambuie, lemongrass and ginger ice tea was my favourite of the drinks menu. It was refreshing and palatable. For something a bit sweeter but still with a lethal kick go for the Honey Juleps ($13) of Drambuie, pink grapefruit juice, lemon juice, Mint Leaves and Angostura Orange Bitters although I wish there was more in the glass. The Black Donald ($13) of Drambuie, Reposado Tequila, Chambord, fresh lime juice, ginger beer was one of the stronger tasting cocktails and if you want to better appreciate the taste of Drambuie then head for the simpler Libertine ($9) of Drambuie, fresh lime, dash of soda or Drambuie and Ginger Ale ($9).

Chef Cristian Di Sandri from La Tana is at the helm of the kitchen, and it's a pretty darn small kitchen so hence the limited food menu. I didn't get a chance to try the Mini burger plate ($10) with wagyu beef and truffle burger and chicken and turmeric burger but both the Scottish scallop skewers ($14) and Tender lamb shoulder skewers ($12) were both pretty tasty and easy to eat with one hand while drinking with the other. The English cheese platter ($14) looked pretty good which I also didn't get to try although I'm suspecting I would probably prefer olives instead of walnuts on the plate. I believe the water taxi from Man o' War steps wharf near Sydney Opera House is free to catch to The Dispensary although I'm not too sure how often it goes but I'm suspecting every 15-30 mins perhaps.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Excellent water views, Nice atmosphere (in good weather), Fairly decent priced cocktails for the view and taste

CONS: Only open for a very limited time, Might not be pleasant during heavy rain or windy days, Need to catch a water taxi (but it's part of the adventure), Smallish toilets

MUST TRY: The Dispensary Signature Drink, Visiting soon before it ends, Remembering it's the bar not you that's swaying

WORTH TRYING: Lamb skewers, Scallop skewers, Honey Juleps, Black Donald, Drambuie and Ginger Ale

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Bar with one of Sydneys best views

Drambuie cocktails in the making

Drambuie and Ginger Ale ($9) — simple yet refreshing

WORTH TRYING :-)

Ruby Bismuth - Drambuie, Lemon Juice, Grenadine Syrup, dash of Bitters, Lemonade ($9) — one of the sweetest drinks on the menu

Black Donald - Drambuie, Reposado Tequila, Chambord, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Beer ($13) — strong and flavoursome

WORTH TRYING :-)

The Dispensary Signature Drink - Drambuie, Lemongrass and Ginger Ice Tea ($15) — refreshing and nice palatable flavours

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Honey Juleps - Drambuie, Pink Grapefruit Juice, Lemon Juice, Mint Leaves, Angostura Orange Bitters ($13) — strong with a bit of sweetness to balance

WORTH TRYING :-)

Libertine - Drambuie, fresh lime, dash of soda ($9) — I prefer it with the lime squeezed

Dolce Vita - Drambuie, Champagne ($13) — makes champagne even more lethal

Tender lamb shoulder skewers served with a mint and cucumber yoghurt dipping sauce ($12) — quite tasty

Scottish scallop skewers served with zucchini and saffron dipping sauce ($14) — easy to eat and tasty

Mini burger plate with wagyu beef and truffle burger and chicken and turmeric burger served with mixed endive ($10) — didn't get to try this one so not sure what it's like

An English cheese platter with a selection of cured meats, figs, walnuts and lavash bread ($14) — would probably prefer large sized olives instead of walnuts although I didn't get to try this dish