Eighty One

A dating couple here,a birthday family there,local business guys sinking beers - this 1846 corner building offers the neighbourhood a couple of seating options. a bustling bar at the front and a more sedate white-walled room at the back. The bar has soaring timber ceilings,banquettes and an all-day tapas menu. Saganaki sizzles in the pan;'fingers'of crumbed wagyu brisket amp up richness with soy mayo. From the main menu,venison schnitzel might come with an oddly sweet bean-mushroom-bacon mix. Seafood linguine is studded with nubs of prawn and picked crabmeat,and the zing of citrus zest - grated parmesan comes atop,unasked. House-pickled onion accompanies crisp battered grenadier and wedge-style chips. For dessert,chewy raspberry-beetroot jelly might be layered with chocolate mousse in a tumbler. Miniature meringues accompany seasonal fruits;it's pleasantly sweet - as are the waitstaff,who deal with diverse comers with amiable professionalism.