O Bar and Dining Launch, CBD Sydney (12 Sept 2012)

Level 47 Australia Square, 264 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.obardining.com.au

Revolving around Moore food

‘Perched 47 floors above the city, O Bar and Dining offers the urbane vibe of some of the world’s stylish venues with a spectacular view that is unmistakably Sydney’

Thanks to 6dc for inviting me to the launch of Michael Moore's O Bar and Dining which takes over the former Summit Restaurant. The last and only time I visited the Summit was over 20 years ago when I consumed five dozen oysters as a personal challenge at the all-you-can-eat buffet. The spectacular view over the city remains the same but the decor is definitely more a grown ups playground for fun and frivolity with the comfy lounge seating and the menu turning its nose up to the deep fryer and aiming to embrace healthier eating. My favourite event canapes was the Grilled prawn skewers with crushed ginger, agave and chilli using decent sized prawns and flavours that worked a treat on the palate. The Scampi with chilli and blood limes was also a winner that was easy to pull out of the shell and had a nice balance of flavour so you could still appreciate the scampi flavour. The Two bite wagyu burgers, pickles Swiss cheese and mustard was an easy size to manage and juicy as hoped. I unfortunately missed out on the Kingfish pastrami with coriander, citrus, cumin which many raved about during the night — I'm hoping they're available on the normal menu. I liked the clean fresh flavours of the Roasted pineapple with agave, granola, jelly, cream but wasn't a fan of the Nut clusters, very dark chocolate which tasted way too healthy to compete with the more devilish Chocolate tartlets, salted peanut butter.

I revisited the next night for some casual drinks. The place wasn't too crowded but service (Micha) was friendly and down-to-earth. The Kung Fu Mojito ($17) and Long Lychee ($16) were nice and refreshing but probably better suited for a hot day while the Jamaican swizzle ($16) of Appleton’s rum, falernum syrup, chocolate bitters & lime was an interesting mix that felt more like a night time drink. Sitting at the window edge was an interesting experience. As the windows slowly passed by it was hard not to get a little disorientated. I'm thinking the potential for motion sickness might effect some people. I also found a couple of air con ceiling vents were blowing a lot harder and colder than the others which maintenance might need to have a look into. You certainly feel on top of the world with the views and I'm sure will be very popular with the tourists plus those looking to unwind from a long day at the office.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Spectacular views over the city, Nice decor and ambience, Well made cocktails, Interesting menu focussing on healthy options, Tables are well-spaced out from each other, Friendly event service

CONS: Not for those who get vertigo, You might feel a bit of motion sickness while watching the windows pass you by, Some air con ceiling vents were blowing too strong and cold to feel comfortable when above you

MUST TRY: Market Fresh Cocktails, Grilled prawn skewers with crushed ginger, agave and chilli

VERDICT: Spectacular views, lethal cocktails and excellent grilled prawns entices me to return to experience more of the menu

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Cumquat Smash cocktail with 42 Below, Cumquats, Lemon & Sugar

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Golden Kiwi Fruit and Habanero Martini

Strawberry & Rhubarb 75 with Bombay Gin, Strawberry, Rhubarb & Sparkling Wine

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

If in doubt start with the Market Fresh Cocktails of the Week

Best deer in the headlight pose

Making the Cumquat Smash cocktails

Strawberry & Rhubarb cocktails a hit

Beer for the boys

No shortage of drinks and smiles

Check out the size of those buttons

Taittinger Champagne for the 'special' guests — unfortunately not me

Smoked salmon canape

Roasted confit tomatoes with picolinno onions and walnut pesto

Grilled prawn skewers with crushed ginger, agave and chilli 

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Buttermilk organic chicken with buckwheat crust and apricot mustard 

Rare beef fillet with ginger charred enoki and horseradish

Crisp corn tacos with prawns, chipotle and avocado

Two bite wagyu burgers, pickles Swiss cheese and mustard 

WORTH TRYING :-)

Quinoa crusted crab and chickpea cakes with lemon yoghurt

Scampi with chilli and blood limes

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Rare tuna and salmon salad with red quinoa, kale and cabernet dressing

Milly hill lamb with borlotti beans, eggplant and olives

Stuffed piquillo peppers with fetta, pine nuts and sumac

Chocolate tartlets, salted peanut butter

Roasted pineapple with agave, granola, jelly, cream
WORTH TRYING :-)

Nut clusters, very dark chocolate

Orange cakes, blossom water, almonds

Michael Moore and his son

Michael Moore and de Groots Best Restaurants

Layne Beachley (left), Kirk Pengilly (centre) and Jane Flemming (right) enjoying the Moore hospitality

Bella Hunter (left) enjoying the heights after XFactorAU

Laura Dundovic (right)

DJ Stephen Ferries — now that's blast from the past for me

Photographers waiting for that magic shot

A spot of merchandise promotion in the private dining room

Harbour Bridge views — great spot for New Year's Eve

View towards Sydney Tower

Toilet is clean and functional but needs a bit colour and warm — nice flower arrangement and privacy screens between the urinals would be my recommendation

I wonder what's on Level 48?

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