Soirée at Sofitel Wentworth Hotel

Soirée at the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel is Sydney’s newest bar offering, launched in late February.

The 60s themed bar takes inspiration from fashion and design icons of the decade while paying tribute to the rich heritage of the Wentworth. Bronzed finishes, a curved wall above the bar and overhanging lamps give the décor retro appeal. Thick columns and 60s styled booth seating encourages intimate conversations.

Soirée

Chef Boris Cuzon and Reserve Brand Ambassador, Simon McGoram, led an informal tasting of 60s inspired cocktails and canapés from Soirée’s bar menu.

Simon McGoram, Reserve Brand Ambassador

Inspired by Marie Antoinette, the Bloody Marie is Soiree’s own interpretation of the classic. The cocktail is made with house-infused cucumber Ketel One Vodka, lemon juice and secret house Marie spices which give the drink a touch of heat.

Paired with a quintessential retro dish, the Devilled Eggs are presented with tobiko (fish roe), avruga caviar, crab and avocado, and the plain.

Bloody Marie with Devilled Eggs

The next cocktail takes on a whimsical touch. The Emma Peel 1961 is as elegant as the star of The Avengers, made with Ciroc French grape vodka, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur and lemon juice. The drink is garnished with a yellow rose and presented with capsicum seeds in a basket, an ingredient that features in the cocktail.

Ciroc vodka is made from grapes, a blend of Ugni Blanc and Mauzac Blanc, the former used in Cognac production. The vodka retains the original flavour of the grapes, citrusy, floral with honey notes and goes well with the Elderflower liqueur making it an easy drinking cocktail.

The Emma Peel, 1961 and Lobster Cobb Salad

The Emma Peel is paired with a generous Lobster Cobb Salad ($30) made with Tasmanian lobster tail, mixed field greens, crispy bacon, avocado, prosciutto, pear cherry tomatoes, eggs and gorgonzola.

Citron Givré, Midtown

Finishing on a light, zesty and refreshing note, Citron Givré is a frozen lemon filled with lemon iced milk which has a texture in between a sorbet and ice cream.

The accompanying cocktail is the Midtown, made with Bulleit Rye, sweet vermouth and orange bitters. The drink is a take on the Manhattan, a classic cocktail dating back to the 1880s and popularised during the 60s.  Bulleit Rye whiskey gives the drink a spicy and bold character with a smooth finish – a perfect choice for those who like to taste the base spirit in their cocktails.

An evening at Soirée offers a nostalgic trip back in time or a (re-)discovery of an era long gone. Don your dapper suits and elegant dresses and rub shoulders with a decade where Brigitte Bardot and Honor Blackman were screen icons. After all, where else can you order an Aston Martin DB5 ’63-‘65 or Pussy Galore at the bar?

Soirée
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
61 – 101 Phillip Street Sydney Australia
+61 2 9280 9835
www.sofitelsydney.com.au

Don’t miss the Addams Family High Tea at Soirée running throughout April 2013.