I was told, over and over, that I needed to get to Porteno quick smart. So, on a recent flying visit to Sydney I made my way there and crossed all my fingers and toes that I'd be able to get a table.
Turns out I couldn't, but the stunning maitre d' suggested I may like to go upstairs to the bar for drinks and tapas. Go upstairs for drinks and tapas? Umm, it was obvious that this lady had never met me before. Most people know that when I say "dinner" what I really mean is "drinks and lots and lots of little things to eat". Three courses is so passé. So it wasn't Porteno that I actually checked-in to, but Gardels Bar.
I climbed up the stairs and quite frankly I wasn't sure which way to look - to the left, a very well stocked bar with painfully cool bartenders behind - to the right, a large window looking down to the restaurant below.
I felt like I was on the movie set of Zorro. Maybe the version with Catherine Zeta-Jones... my dining companion and sat at the bar and waited with baited breath. A masked man or a seriously good cocktail - either one was going to suffice. Luckily for us, the cocktails here are super foxy. They even go to the lengths of smoking their own maple syrup and vermouth in the house smoker - amazing!
I went with a stunning interpretation of the classic G&T. With savoury 50% proof 'cutlass' gin from The West Winds, celery salt and cucumber this was delicious - like drinking a savoury summer salad. Then on to pulled pork sliders, smoked kingfish tartare - served generously on five finger long crackers, and the octopus, chorizo and potato, skewered and served with a paprika spiked sauce so delicious I wished I wasn't presenting to be Catherine Zeta-Jones so I could be unladylike and lick the plate clean.
Yes kids, this place is hot and now I, too, will implore you to get yourself to Porteno quick smart so you too can be told it's too busy and have to go to its little (but in no way less spectacular) sister upstairs. read more