There’s a new reason to visit Double Bay: Mr G.’s. The new bar and grill opened inside the Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay, bringing a touch of classy Americana to the neighbourhood. Founded by Patrick and Angela Gallagher (of Gallagher Hotels), Mr. G’s is named after Patrick’s father.
It bills itself as ‘an authentic New York-style steakhouse’ — but don’t expect staid touches. It’s classic, but hip. And the cocktails are to-die-for.
The launch party saw partygoers filling the American-inspired venue. Heavy on the wood and leather accents, this isn’t a stolid steakhouse feel. Instead, light tiled floors, brass fittings, and bursts of blue on the walls add vibrancy. The leather banquettes were immediately snapped up by prompt guests.
My +1 and I, fashionably half an hour late (shouldn’t one always be?) stationed ourselves near the wooden partition separating the room into two. On one side: the upscale diner-style seating; on the other, a full 14-metre-long bar.
This American was pleasantly surprised upon finding that a fellow patron’s beer was none other than the classic Coors. Indeed, keeping with the American theme, all of Mr. G’s beers are made by Yanks — including Nomad and Deschutes.
(Perhaps over time they’ll get craft beers on tap, too, like Brooklyn Brewery and Goose Island. Both are, or will be, exporting to Australia.)
Mr. G’s boats a celebrity chef in Dave Little, who literally worked as a chef for a celeb: none other than George Lucas. Now heading the kitchen, he turned out a selection off the menu for the party. We tried everything from Imperial Black Caviar blinis with pickled ginger, to Alaskan King Crab Cocktail wrapped in betel leaves.
I didn’t have a chance to delve into the truffle fries or the bites of Cape Byron eye fillet with chimichurri, but the Mini Waygu Beer Burgers with crunchy beer-battered cocktail onions were an absolute treat. We finished with bites of brownies and delectable pumpkin pie that made me reminisce about Thanksgiving.
I’m saving the best till last: the drinks. With 10 stunners on the cocktail menu, we were served ‘That’s My Jam’, a wonderful mix of gin and creme de cassis. But what blew me and my +1 away was the Obamalicious.
Created with King’s County Chocolate Whisky, Amaro Montenegro, and Black Walnut Bitters, it was the perfect balance of bracing and sweet (but not overly so). The menu succinctly lists the Obamalicious’ final ingredient as ‘chocolate’. It’s not merely chocolate — it’s a shard painted to look like a galaxy. We couldn’t stop taking photos of it.
I’ll be returning to Mr. G’s for a full steak dinner, polished off with a piece of pumpkin pie. And probably an Obamalicious or two.
– Theresa
Co-founder of The Plus Ones, American-born Theresa loves knowing she can get a taste of home any time in Double Bay.
Mr. G’s
Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay
33 Cross Street
Double Bay NSW
www.mrgsdoublebay.com.au
