Henrietta Supper Club, Darlinghurst

Henrietta Supper Club, Darlinghurst’s newest late night restaurant and supper club has officially launched this week. Located at the former site of French restaurant Tastevin, the dining and drinking destination breathes new life into the late night Sydney scene.

Photography © by Kevin Burke for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.

The name pays homage to Elizabeth Henrietta Macquarie, Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s wife in the early 19th Century when Darlinghurst was once known as Henrietta Town.

Walk up the stairs and you’ll find yourself in a softly-lit dining room accentuated by teal walls, wallpaper, framed prints, elegant furnishings, comfortable banquette seating and large clamshell chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. The mood is sophisticated, chic and inviting. Step past the narrow corridor with the kitchen to one side, and you’ll find a stylish lounge which accommodates the impressive main bar.

After the success of Neighbourhood bar in Bondi, owners Simon McGoram, Eddie De Souza, Josh Evans, Dominic Carnevale and Alex Howell have assembled a stellar team with head chef Kim Douglas (ex Rockpool Bar & Grill), floor manager Pete Learmonth (ex Porteno) and bar manager Harriet Leigh (ex The Hazy Rose).

The wine list is a mix of nouveau and traditionelle with a world tour encompassing Austria, Italy, Argentina, France and Australia with many available by the glass. The cocktail list is 23 strong and impresses anyone from the occasional drinker to the cocktail aficionado. The Seasonal Sgroppino ($18) from the Ladies’ Parlour combines Ketel One Citroen vodka whipped with seasonal sorbet ant Cruzat Classico sparkling into an easy sipping and palate cleansing drink. The Left Hand Cocktail ($20) is a perfect balance of Bulleit Bourbon, Campari, sweet vermouth and xocolatl bitters appealing to the more serious booze hounds.

The food menu is a take on British and Irish fare. At the media launch, guests were taken on a tasting journey that warranted an immediate dinner booking. Wapengo Rocks Wild Organic Oysters were served with a gin and cucumber jelly. Macquarie’s Scotch Egg was an irresistible bite of a soft poached quail egg encased in a spicy mixture of blood sausage and breadcrumbs served with fermented chilli and cider hot sauce. Creamy, velvety and, moreish, the Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with apple walnut salsa is not to be missed. The delectable bites of Yorkshire Pudding with Pea Purée were merely a teaser designed to bring you back, and to finish, the Mocha Porter and Irish Whiskey Caramel Deep-Fried Ice cream was a taste sensation.

From 10.30pm until very late, a Bar and Supper Club menu is offered which includes share plates such as Oxtail Croquettes, pickled tartar sauce and Chicken Liver Pate with prune and herbed crispbread.

Whether it’s dinner as a couple or with friends, cocktails at the lounge or late night bar bites, Henrietta Supper Club brings sophisticated dining and quality imbibing in elegant surrounds to old Henrietta Town. And we think the lady would approve.

Henrietta Supper Club
Level 1, 292 -294 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
Tuesday – Sunday: 6pm-1am weeknights, 6pm-3am on weekends
www.henriettasupperclub.com.au

The VIP launch was held on Tuesday 5 August, 2014.