{"id":22684,"date":"2013-05-13T08:22:51","date_gmt":"2013-05-12T22:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=22684"},"modified":"2018-05-15T03:29:05","modified_gmt":"2018-05-14T17:29:05","slug":"darlinghurst-delights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/darlinghurst-delights\/","title":{"rendered":"Darlinghurst delights"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A Sydney break doesn\u2019t need to equal a CBD stay. lastminute lovely Nicole reveals why you should consider inner-city Darlinghurst for your next trip.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Chances are when you think of city break in Sydney, you\u2019re picturing a CBD escape, walking distance from the landmarks of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge or among the attractions of Darling Harbour.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an alternative though: just one train stop away from Martin Place station is a hot spot, a little removed from the tourist factor of the CBD but with plenty to offer. Yep, Darlinghurst, my friends, is where it\u2019s at. Here\u2019s my guide to a quick escape to Sydney\u2019s SoHo:
\n1. Where to stay<\/strong>
\nI love the big hotel chains as much as the next girl but the personal touch of a boutique hotel adds a different flavour to a city stay.
\nAnd the Kirketon Hotel<\/a>, part of the 8Hotels Collection (read Erin’s review<\/a> of their Diamant hotel in Brisbane) is the perfect example.
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Just a five minute stroll away from Kings Cross Station (don\u2019t let the proximity to the Golden Mile put you off), the hotel is nestled among the hype of vibrant Darlinghurst but still manages to capture the intimacy of a boutique establishment.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

First impressions count and the genuinely warm and friendly staff kick off our stay on the right note.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no lifts or expansive lobbies but the vibe is stylish and sexy with an old school charm to it that makes you feel, that by choosing to stay there, you\u2019re in the know.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

We\u2019re lucky enough to be staying in a superior room on the third floor. The decor is understated yet sophisticated. The ridiculously comfortable king bed, rain shower, iPod docking station, T2 teas and complimentary Fitness First access are all welcome additions. I was concerned the location on busy Darlinghurst Road location would make sleep impossible but it didn\u2019t bother us at all (the *ahem* cocktail or three we had downstairs could have had something to do with that though).<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

2. Where to drink<\/strong>
\nDarlinghurst isn\u2019t short of bars and pubs but you\u2019d be forgiven for not venturing to any of them once you discover Eau De Vie<\/a>, the award winning cocktail bar, located at the back of the hotel.<\/p>\n

Its killer cocktail list, 1920s glamour vibe (it\u2019s a little Great Gatsbyesqe) and exceptional service make it the perfect spot to settle in for the night.
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The Eau De Vie crew are extremely helpful and after filling them in on our cocktail preferences, they make their recommendations. I\u2019m sucker for anything with ginger beer and as soon as I hear it\u2019s house-made, I\u2019m sold. But you really can\u2019t go wrong with anything you select. A new menu has launched since our visit \u2013 a good excuse for a return visit \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

We chat with Bar Manager Charlie Ainsbury (Australia\u2019s Best Bartender – 2007) who gave us a few inside tips on the art of cocktail making.<\/p>\n

We ask him how to make the perfect cocktail at home and he makes the point that at the bar they really do use every bottle in the expansive collection \u2013 it\u2019s not just for show – so you can\u2019t really expect the same result at home without a lot of expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Top tip from Charlie: <\/strong><\/em> For any budding cocktail makers wanting to impress at their next party, don\u2019t try and make cocktails to order when you\u2019re playing host – it\u2019s way too time intensive and as the night goes on, the quality is sure to go downhill! His (genius) alternative: make a perfect punch instead \u2013 just as delicious for far less effort.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other bars to add to your list in the area: <\/strong>
\n– Love Tilly Devine
\n– The Passage
\n– Hinky Dinks
\n– Pocket Bar
\n– Darlo Bar<\/p>\n

3. Where to eat <\/strong><\/p>\n

While ordering dumplings from Fu Manchu, the Asian restaurant next door that conveniently looks after the hotel\u2019s room service is tempting, there\u2019s almost too much choice when it comes to food in Darlinghurst. Here are some of my picks:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Phamish<\/strong> \u2013 OMG, the salt and pepper calamari here is all kinds of amazing! Not far behind in the mouth-watering stakes is the duck pancake and dumplings. You can just tell it\u2019s one of those places the local\u2019s eat, always a good sign.
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Hot tip: <\/strong><\/em>Get there early (with your BYO) to nab a table or if you arrive later, be prepared to put your name down and have a drink at the pub around the corner (also not a bad option). It\u2019s not the sort of place you linger over your meal: you order at the counter, eat up a storm and go but the quality of the food makes it all worthwhile.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u2022 Gelato Messina<\/strong> \u2013 A trip to Darlinghurst wouldn\u2019t be complete without a sweet treat from Gelato Messina<\/a>. Look for the crowds, join the queue and get to work on narrowing down your selection from the regular and specials menu. It\u2019s a tough call but I can\u2019t go past the combination of \u2018Salted caramel and white chocolate\u2019 (their bestseller) and \u2018Bounty\u2019 (waaay better than the chocolate, trust me).<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

\u2022 Third Village<\/strong> \u2013 The day before our stay at the Kirketon, a review from Concrete Playground<\/a> popped up in my inbox and I knew straight away that would be where we\u2019d venture for breakfast. A short stroll to Stanley Street and we enter the doors of Third Village<\/a>. We\u2019re greeted with friendly staff, a colourful, relaxed fit-out and organic menu (ideal after a *ahem* few too many cocktails the night before) and I know we\u2019re onto a winner.<\/p>\n

A \u2018Big Breakfast\u2019 with a fresh juice and \u2018Eggs Mediterranean\u2019 with a green tea are delivered promptly and hit the spot perfectly.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

The lunch menu sounds equally fabulous and I\u2019ll be hitting it up next time I\u2019m in this part of town.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Flour and Stone<\/strong> \u2013 Last but not least is my current sweet-tooth obsession: Flour and Stone<\/a>. Tucked away off busy William Street in nearby Woolloomooloo is a hole in the wall bakery that you simply have to try.
\nOver my few visits this year (like I said, current-obsession) I\u2019ve sampled the \u2018Lemon Drizzle Cake\u2019 (pure citrus heaven), the \u2018Chocolate, buttermilk and raspberry cake\u2019 (a chocoholics\u2019 dream) and of course, their famous lamingtons. Injected with panacotta, they take the Aussie favourite to a whole new level and you\u2019ll be hard-pressed going back to the traditional variety once you\u2019ve tasted this baby. You have been warned.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n\n\n\n
Hot tip: <\/strong><\/em>he Flour and Stone website is updated daily with \u2018What we\u2019re baking today<\/a>\u2019. Love that little touch to help with the decision process!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Do you have any Darlinghurst tips to share? Add them in the comments below! <\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n