Rush Lounge

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAA
On the Post Office Square green, at the end of Queen Street Mall, Rush Lounge is a popular meeting spot for CBD workers, and is furnished with an assortment of comfy seats for resting hard-working bums. Just off the thoroughfare is a scattering of low lounges, and plush miniature stools line a long table, while inside the small space is dominated by a glossed concrete bar. Past a column of timber and mirror panels is a narrow corridor housing intimate booths. A trendy little bar/restaurant, Rush sports a vaguely oriental theme with hanging red lanterns and cherry blossoms in a glass vase. There’s funky music, switched-on young staff, and a TV screen for sports.

Breakfast runs until 10.30, after which a range of nibbles and larger meals are served up until late. The Rush “Taste Tempters” are very snackable tapas-style dishes, including sand crab spring rolls, grilled haloumi, and crisp brocollini sauteed in olive oil and balsamic. There is a selection of salads and pastas, while more elaborate meals like crispy-skinned duckling with aniseed infused taro, stuffing and honey mustard and pan jus raise Rush well above standard cafe-bar fare. They do turn out a mean espresso as well as creative cocktails.