Verandah Restaurant and Wine Bar
 
The look: Not surprisingly the main feature of this bar is its veranda. There’s also gorgeous chocolate brown banquet lounges and intimate mood lighting.
The soundtrack: ‘Atmospherically enhancing’ music is anything from Frank Sinatra to Michael Bouble. A live jazz band plays from Wednesdays to Fridays.
Signature drink: The Very Verandah ($9). A mix of Absolut Raspberry, Honey Vodka, Bacardi Rum and Vanilla Syrup, shaken with Freshly Smashed Lime and Chili.
On the menu: Generous entrée portions of the restaurant dishes are contemporary Australian with a French twist. Mmmmmm….how does smoked duck and beetroot salad with watercress and walnut oil dressing ($14) sound?
The wow factor: Their outstanding wine and cheese selection. Select from over thirteen different types of cheese (three cheeses, $20; six $34). The sommelier Clint Hillery offers over thirty wines by the glass and a whopping three hundred and fifty by the bottle.
Best for: Chatting, not dancing. Join the other city slickers for after work drinks. It’s usually quiet but often pushes its 200 person limit on Friday nights.
If this bar were a movie star it would be: Vince Vaughan – chilled out and over easy.

By Kathy Buchanan

Address: Mezzanine Level, 60 Castlereagh St, Sydney
Phone:  9238 0888
Open: Monday to Friday