Midtown
South Brisbane
Midtown is a swish intimate New York style bar serving top notch food, two-sip martinis and classic cocktails from its cosy abode on the cusp of Fish Lane in South Brisbane.
Stepping inside past the kitchen into the long golden-lit wood panelled space feels just like you've left Brisbane behind and landed right in a midtown New York bar.
Inspired by the small bars in Manhattan, the 40-seater bar, which is the work of hospitality stalwarts Amelia and Daniel Mitelic (owners of One Fish Two Fish), is divided into three sections - Uptown, Midtown and Downtown.
Patrons can take a seat in the circular atrium garden space out front, at the long bar inside or the cosy booths tucked away at the back
Martinis are the signature here, with a choice of ten, including elderflower, apple & rhubarb, olive leaf, french, espresso and a 'your way' martini, while the list of classics includes Daiquiri, Old Fashioned, Negroni, Spritz and Classic or Tommy's Margarita. Ther'e's also the option of Flight Martinis (min 2 people).
The wine list is a curated selection of mostly Australian boutique wines and french champagne while beer drinkers can choose from Estrella Damm, Australian craft beers and XXXX Gold.
The food menu is top shelf restaurant quality and amongst the best to be found in any bar in Brisbane, starting with the Raw Bar, with oysters natural or oyster shooters (Bloody Mary, gin & tonic or dirty martini), steak tartare cigars and Tasmanian salmon sashimi, while to share there's the highly recommended Seacutuerie platter (oysters, prawn croquettes and salmon sashimi).
Bar snacks include warm olives, roasted spiced nuts, spinach & artichoke dip but not to be missed are the Fancy Bites such as the must-try mini lobster croissants, prawn croquettes and the Balkan Sub (cevapi posr sausage, sauerkraut, eggplant & red pepper relish).
Worth saving room for is the Main Attraction (larger share plates), with a choice of 18-hour BBQ bourbon brisket served with warm potato and pickled dill cucumber salad; Fraser Isle Spanner crab tortellini (house-made tortellini, sweet local crab meat, lemon cream reduction & herbs) and Caprese tartlets (roasted cherry tomatoes, Sicilian olive tapanade, bocconcini and basil).
Otherwise there's Caviar (Polanco Oscietra Grand Reserve or Wild Australian Scampi Caviar) served with sourdough crostini and creme fraiche (with the option of a champagne sidecar) and artisan charcuterie or cheese plates.
And for something sweet there's Yuzu brulee (served with Dan's mum's walnut biscotti) or Pina Colada tartlet (sweet pastry tart filled with pineapple curd & coconut foam).
Need to know - You'll find Midtown next to the famed Lune Croissanterie on Manning St, at the end of Fish Lane closeset to West End. There is limited on street metered parking available nearby.
Midtown opens to the public on Friday September 8.
Cocktail and dessert pics courtesy of Midtown bar.
