LOCATION
On Darlinghurst’s Victoria Road; a fifteen-minute stroll from Kings Cross station.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Strolling into The Victoria Room is a little like strolling onto the set of Casablanca. Baroque-style furniture – velvet studded lounges, chaises and armchairs – gather on old-world rugs by the light of vintage lamps in a front bar area. Wooden fans languidly circulate the air and make stringy bamboo curtains shake and shiver as laughter and conversations bounce against maroon and gold brocade tapestry feature walls and inquisitive glances are cast from behind potted palms. Overseeing the intrigues and inviting guests to its extensive list of beverages is a long, dark and handsome cocktail bar – one that boasts its own sugarcane press (a rarity in Sydney) and heavenly creations like the rose petal martini and the “sugar daddy”.
In fact the bar is so alluring and the cocktail menu so distracting that often people forget about the 150-seat resident restaurant. This is not a mistake you should make. Here, on white-set tables (Baroque-style of course), segregated by wooden screens or in comfortable booths, diners are transported to the Mediterranean – Joe Gambacorta style. This chef watches over a seasonal menu that displays a diversity of fusion share dishes that cover all appetites and dietary requirements. Staples that have stood the test of time include spicy, fried haloumi with oven-roasted tomato, asparagus and basil salad. Another great thing about The Victoria Room (and another Sydney rarity) is its late-night “supper” menu. Filled with various antipasto and cheese plates, it sees diners through from 11pm to 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Agnes Gajewska
DETAILS
Darlinghurst, one of Sydney’s oldest and most eclectic suburbs has always excited locals and visitors. With it’s incredible cross section of styles, cultures and influences, The Victoria Room adds yet another unique dimension this vibrant part of town.
Richly decorated with antiques, curios and ornate furniture of the British Victorian period, The Victoria Room conjures up feelings of lounging about in your smoking jacket while exchanging tales of big game hunting and wonderful windfalls.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
With a menu leaning toward Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, everything on offer arrives fresh, and bursting with flavour. Moderately priced and perfect for sharing, why not try the VR Mezze Plate, overflowing with chilli crab, spicy dips and warm pide bread. Like tapas, try a few dishes and share them around - fine dining has never been so casual and cool.
HIGH TEA
We think High Tea, served at The Victoria Room on Saturdays (12pm -5pm) & Sundays (12pm-5pm) is unique in Sydney (let us know if we're wrong!). Traditional little sandwiches, cakes, the finest tea and champagne add a truly old world sense of sophistication and occasion. Dictionary definition of Tiffin? "A lunch, or slight repast between breakfast and dinner. Originally a provincial English word then introduced into India". Tea and cake have never been so exotic.
Supper at the Victoria Room - The Victoria Room now offers FONDUES as part of the The Supper Room menu on Friday & Saturday nights from 11pm. Supper at The Victoria Room is perfect for post theatre/movies or simply late-night noshing! A FONDUE is great for romantic couples and fun for groups who like some late-night indulgence.
Also available now in The Supper Room are our ‘Supper & Drinks Matching Specials’. The perfect late-night snack matched with the perfect late-night drink.
The Supper Room takes bookings from 11pm Fridays & Saturdays.
Buy a gift certificate for High Tea for Two at The Victoria Room from www.bestgiftcertificates.com.au
Personal Statement
“Thankfully chi-chi Sydney bar/restaurant The Victoria Room has come to the rescue with its new Supper Menu. Choose from oysters, antipasto plates, tapas (we love the goat’s cheese balls with onion jam and truffle honey) and fondue.....” Vogue, Oct 2006
“......we see a profusion of potted palms, plush armchairs, leather booths, oriental screens, lamps, marble-topped tables, care-worn rugs and wallpapers.....Best of all the tea is very, very good.” SMH Spectrum, July 2006
“Vogue Entertaining & Travel loves.....the divine new Supper Menu at Darlinghurst’s Victoria Room. Finally something good – apart from Chinese food – to eat after 11pm”. Vogue Entertaining & Travel, Nov 2006