Supper Club InterContinental

Rebecca Varidel
23rd Jun 2015

I pick up the black wall phone and put it to my ear, then it answers. "Is this the Supper Club?" I ask. I'm asked for my room number or reservation number, then the glass sliding door opens and I walk up the stairs where my coat, scarf and umbrella are checked by none other than bar legend Martin O'Sullivan of Grasshopper.

I'm led to my table with the most incredible city skyline view in front of me, floor to ceiling windows, in front of that a glass balcony, in front of that the sweeping panorama of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park Sydney harbour and the Sydney Opera House.

The words Supper Club invoke a scene of sophistication and elegance. "It's a night of luxury, sharp suiting, cool jazz and hot city nights" the menu opens. "Cocktails are clean, crisp, strong and neat. Champagne is on ice and the mood is soft and sleek. Lights are low, conversation is muted and Sydney harbour lights twinkle. This is up-tempo rat pack city slick."

Club InterContinental Supper Club doesn't open until 9pm which makes it a perfect second venue for the night (Wednesday to Saturday that is). Which means it's also opened 'late'. And it can be whatever you want it to be for your night.

You can indulge in a tipple. Heading the list, as I open the pages are a huge range of Champagne by the bottle, NV from all the major houses, and a fine selection of vintage including the magnificent year Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2002. What a sensational Champagne that is. Yes, yes - there's also Champagne by the glass. What really impressed me though is the rest of the wine. Bindi Lai of the Grasshopper team has put together an impressive all Australian wine list covering all the great Australian regions, including a good sprinkling of Hunter, Margaret River, Yarra Valley, McLaren Vale, and Barossa with five vintages of Grange. Apparently a cellar of rate and vintage wines has been discovered lying dormant in the bowels of the hotel.

Keep your spirits up though if a cocktail or two or three is more your style. Remember that Grasshopper is behind the bar. The boys have put together some lovely signatures, Barrel-aged Hennessy's VS, white crème de menthe, candied mint ($21), Espresso Havan aAnejo Especial 7yo Rum, Averna, almond syrup, Green Chartreuse ($18) or House made eucalyptus syrup, Beefeater Giin, Lemon, mineral water ($18) are just three of the beautiful expressions. I also chose my gin for a dry martini. After a classic? Just ask.

And you can order a snack. Start with olives. Of course, you're hungry! The InterContinental kitchens have put together a stellar selection from teasing Oysters, horseradish, smoked anchovy and Spanner crab, avocado, green apple, bottarga to the crunchy and tender Buttermilk fried chicken, caper berry, sriracha ($29) to O'Sullivan's tip of the tantalising Goat curd, tart flambée, smoked pork cheeg ($27). The selection of four Australian cheeses offers up some of our artisan finest from the award winning Holy Goat La Luna (Victoria) to the glorious Pyengana cloth-bound Cheddar (Tasmania). Dessert if you need it gives up four classic choices: Churros and chocolate; Salted caramel and chocolate tart, cardamom syrup, poached pear; Crème brulee, sable Breton; Wattle seed pavlova, passionfruit, vanilla custard, caramel (or there's a platter). Heck, how did I miss those? A dessert night (with dessert wines) is in order. That's another way to kick on after dinner.

And you can have a chat or have a chill. And listen to the DJ mix.

Supper Club is a bit of all that. It's just what Sydney CBD needs. And it's opened until late.