The rooftop terrace of the East Village Hotel is a hidden gem, with a stunning view of the city skyline and twinkling fairy light canopy adding to the ambience.
We visited on a crisp winter’s night for dinner, but luckily the the outdoor heaters were blazing and kept us toasty. We started off with a couple of winter cocktails from their seasonal menu – I went for the Gluhwein a.k.a. delicious mulled wine made with claret, tawny port, Martell VS cognac and some spices and winter berries thrown in the mix too. The boy went with the more theatrical Blue Blazer cocktail, also featuring Martell VS cognac, mixed with triple sec, sugar, orange peel and all lit up by the bartender before it made its way to us.
Gluhwein, $8 and Blue Blazer Cocktail, $19
To kick off our dinner, we shared the Spanner Crab Roll off their grazing menu. The roll isn’t particularly big but it packs in plenty of shredded spanner crab, paired with an addictive blend of chipotle butter and basil mayo, all encased in a soft milk bun.
Spanner Crab Roll, $16
For mains, I chose the Hand Cut Pappardelle with Nduja (a type of Italian sausage) which was very tasty – the combo of burnt butter and roasted garlic with the silky ribbons of pappardelle makes this pasta a flavourful hit.
Hand Cut Pappardelle with Nduja, $22
The boy went for one of the more substantial mains off the seasonal winter menu, the rich, hearty Beef Bourguignon stew made with bacon lardons and crunchy croutons.
Beef Bourguignon, $22
We finished our meal on a sweet note with the Hot Doughnuts dusted with cardamom sugar and served with chantilly cream – though a vanilla ice cream would’ve been an even more delectable contrast with the warmth of the doughnuts.
Hot Doughnuts, $12
East Village Hotel is only a stone’s throw away from the CBD, but it offers a rare blend of gourmet dishes in a relaxed setting which you wouldn’t usually expect for the rooftop of a city pub. We’re already planning to visit again when the warmer weather hits, so we can soak up the sunshine and enjoy some drinks with a view.
Excuse Me Waiter dined as guests of East Village Hotel
East Village Hotel
234 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone: 0431 622 944
