Cocktails at La Scala on Jersey, Woollahra

With the Crave Sydney Food Festival in full swing, our first venture into Cocktail of the Month event takes us to the bar of La Scala on Jersey. Tucked above the Light Brigade Hotel in Sydney’s eastern suburb of Woollahra, the entrance features lights that have a culinary twist with metallic whisks hanging off the high ceiling.

Up the stairs, there is a sizeable bar with an area that features a variety of food-related pieces, a singular lost property site and the restaurant.

A long table room provides an ambient space with unique pieces illuminated with kaleidoscopic lighting.

La Scala’s Cocktail of the Month is the Shangri La, made with Smirnoff Black, ginger liqueur, pineapple juice, honey and aged balsamic vinegar. The canapé is a house speciality, a deep fried date wrapped in pancetta, with celery seeds and stuffed with an almond.

Much like a frappé or a milk shake, the cocktail is served in large glasses and echoes a breakfast power drink with strong pineapple and honey notes. The ginger flavour is very mild and I would have liked a little more kick to cut through the sweetness. The canapé, served with a wedge of lemon and rosemary sprig has a crisp outer shell that contrasts with the melt-in-the-mouth date. The pairing works well; both are sweet and rich on the palate.

We try one of the signature cocktails, the Raspberry and Lemongrass Martini. Made with an unusual blend of Belveldere Vodka and Saké, the drink has fresh raspberries, crème de framboise, lemon juice and lemongrass. The hot pink cocktail is served in a Martini glass with a straw-like piece of lemongrass.  A subtle and flavoursome cocktail. And not too girlie.

Cocktail of the Month is part of the month-long Crave Sydney Food Festival, where top bars in Sydney pair a cocktail and a canapé for the price of $20.

La Scala on Jersey
Corner Jersey Road and Melrose Lane
Woollahra – Sydney
www.lascalaonjersey.com.au

Other Crave Sydney 2010 events on Gourmantic:
Australian Cheese Showcase 2010
Night Noodle Markets
Summer Hill Grand Food Bazaar
Cocktail of the Month at Monkey Magic
Monkey Magic Sugar Hit: Black Sesame Crème Caramel
Slideshow/Photographs of the Night Noodle Markets
Blessing of the Fleet at the Sydney Fish Markets
Sydney Food and Wine Fair
Porchetta, Birra and Tarantella: Norton Street Italian Festa