orto trading co. | button bar

Two venues that I was genuinely excited to see for my own eyes...

Orto Trading Co.

An earthy and romantic restaurant & wine bar that makes you feel very special. The decor is warm, eclectic and uses an abundance of natural (and seemingly recycled) materials. Think timber, candles, potted herbs and glass jars. I love this style so much, I couldnt stop swooning over the detail. Love!

We look over the menu and it sounds delicious, but unfortunately we are just here for a quick drink. I adore the salmon pink glow of the Tar & Roses pinot grigio from Victoria (yes, another!), the flavour is fresh and clean, and Iove it so much it endears me even more.

Petit Bourgeois - 2010 Sauvignon Blanc - Loire Vally, France

Tar & Roses - 2011 Pinot Grigio - Central Victoria

Can you believe the colour difference, I love the way it glows in this light

On this occasion we didnt eat, but you can just tell that they've got it going on. The menu sounds divine and the presentation of both the food and the restaurant is impeccable. The service is attentive and charming.

Plus the glassware is Plumm, in my books if a place has these glasses they get extra bonus points, it's delicate, sophisticated and edgy.

If you do nothing today (apart from peruse my blog in its entirety, of course) take a look at the Orto Trading breakfast menu, I promise you it's incredibly inventive and will make your mouth water. So, just humour me and imagine these for a second:

Potato rosti stuffed with fetta, served with wild mushrooms and sauteed spinach, topped with poached eggs and hollandaise

Boston baked beans served with maple glazed pearl onions, crispy pork belly and a poached egg.

....am I right??

This restaurant and wine bar is perfect for a first date, bff catch up, dinner with the family, and breakfast at anytime, with anyone, for any occasion, under any circumstances. Plus they have gf and vege options. Super impressive.

button bar

If you dont know who Chris Lehoux and Karl Schlothauer are (or at least Pocket and Stitch Bar) then you've been living under a rock! Do you see that common thread of genius. It's a high standard to live up to. I think of new bars like an artists' latest album release, will this latest release live up to all the hype?

Lower Surry hills is the suburb du jour, the new kids on the block including the likes of Tio's and the new 'Grandma Bar'. Button Bar has the trademark small bar entrance, just a little symbol 'button' symbol at the door.

You walk up a couple of stairs and instantly you can feel the cockles of your heart warm. This cosy bar is dripping in warm timber tones with little nautical touches here and there. It's got that attention to detail that we love about Pocket and Stitch.

The bar is exceptionally well stocked. Check out the cute hanging fruit bowls.

Not dissimilar to Stitch, there are three separate 'play' areas: booths, tables and bar stools. I love a good bar stool, so that's where we perch. We flip through the rustic cocktail menu which is creative and delicious-sounding, with a few of the Stitch classics thrown in for good measure.

We order the Flying Cloud made with vodka, fresh pressed pear and cinnamon, and the Jimmy's Hendricks made with gin, St Germain, cucumber, lemon and rosewater served in a teacup. We saaaaavour the beautiful flavours of the perfectly balanced drinks. We delight in their perfection.

Flying Cloud

Jimmy's Hendricks

As one would expect, the service is friendly, warm, intelligent and informative.

The influx of these high calibre bars into the lower Surry Hills area is exciting and it makes me wish I lived much closer so these could be my new locals, that would be excellent.

If you love small bars and cocktails this is your domain,

Button's got that thing, whatever that thing is.

Orto Trading Co.

38 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills

0431 212 453

ortotradingco.com.au

 

Button Bar

65 Foveaux St
button-bar.com.au