The Art Lounge - Darlinghurst

The night was very enjoyable. Service and food was excellent. We had the deal and were served differently with the entree as other deal couples. The excuse was that the meat balls were not ready. I would have liked to have tried them instead of the sausage that was a substitute. I enjoy cooking so this was the reason for our attendance. The staff were very attentive and helpful, It was a wonderful experience

This was a thirtieth birthday celebration and there were more than twenty people invited.We ordered a tasting plate entree for everyone followed by a choice of main.Helpings were plentiful and the food tasty.The atmosphere is great and there was a real buzz.In spite of the large number being served the food came quickly as did the drinks.The birthday cake was well managed and management and staff made sure everyone was taken care of.The only issue is the parking but that is always going to be an issue in Darlinghurst!

The first thing I have to say, was , that I was only after a good steak. And I got one. Wendy did as well. But getting to that involved finding somewhere to eat which suited our taste, on a Friday night in busy Kings Cross, without a reservation. The Art Lounge 'looked' interesting, so its face value is high. It also looked busy. We asked the well dressed man at the door if a table for two was possible. He thought for a moment, then decided it was. It turned out he was the restauranter himself, French I understood, and he found us a table in good position. Musicians were setting up to play, which I knew would take them a while, so we thought we might miss out on that, being that a steak was all we were after. However, after Mr French had re-instructed our table waiter on the correct positioning of knife and fork (just a little out of place), and we had had a quick look at the menu, we decided it would be churlish not to enjoy the experience a little more. As a result we ordered cocktails ( a house special was very tempting), entrees of flat breads and olives, and mushrooms in a cream and garlic sauce, to be followed by the fillet steak for two. One thing we immediately liked about the menu was it's simplicity. A relatively few options (eg four mains), but all of them with some appeal. The band, (a singer and a guitar player), had very nearly set up. I could, luckily, see them from my position, which was, naturally, facing my partner, with my back to the crowd - every table in the row along the wall featured the same arrangement, and in all cases men could both stare at their dinner partner and at the same time be completely aware of what was going on behind them. The full length of the wall was mirrored glass, with artfully framed sections. There was art on the walls, clearly original although perhaps derivative, tasteful lighting, and one could have been excused for thinking we were in a Regency parlour of some sort.The entrees arrived, followed by the cocktails, which didn't quite work. The drink had to go first, and although a champagne based drink can work with olives, it doesn't at all with mushrooms. The mushrooms however were worth travelling the planet . So the cocktails dispensed with, heightening our mood, it was a leisurely pace through flatbreads, olives, and a balsamic/olive oil dip, and the mushrooms. I said at least once or twice,"the mushrooms are sublime", and made sure I said the same to the owner at the end of the night. His own recipe, he offered, so the only way of knowing would be to try them youself.We then ordered wine, a Burgundy for her, and a Western Oz Cabernet for myself. Both were fine with the fillet, which was exquisite. I would say that the fastidiousness of the owner, and the attention of the wait staff, would make presentation a very high priority, and quality of dining experience a very close second. The 'band' was playing, jazz, a George Benson standard, and were competent. They had rent a crowd along, which ensured applause, so that gave the place a cabaret feel.So. Fillet steak, a small square of perfectly made potato au gratin, an equal portion of salad, and carrot puree, four corners on a rectangular plate. Good, I''ll say.After contemplation, we could have paid the bill and left satisfied. Dessert was offered, or coffee, which we both declined, and I offered to pay the bill so a table was available to others. Mind you we had been there a while, but it didn't seem like a while, if you get my drift. The owner came over, and said 'non, non' you must stay and enjoy the evening. "Come around here sir, and sit by the lady". Would we be interested in another drink perhaps? Wendy thought so and ordered a cocktail of Baileys and Cointreau, which puzzled our host. He asked if that was to be in separate glasses. No, in the same thanks, over ice. Not a problem, and what will you have sir? A whisky, I replied, and ended up getting a Bourbon, which only goes to show that whisky could mean anything to a Frenchman and I should have specified Scotch.Nothing, however, could detract from the experience. The bill was not extravagant, and by comparison with some eateries could only be described as good value. The entertainment offered by the owner, the setting , the food itself, and unobtrusive live music, made it a memorable evening. Can't ask for much more. The owner saw us to the door, implored us to return, and we would certainly do so.

I've been to shows here at least four times now over the past few years, and am happy to put it on the shortlist of things to do on weekends when I'm

I'm so excited to have learned the Sydney comedy scene seems quite strong in Australia, as the past two comedy shows I've been to have featured full houses