La Sala

I hear this place is very New York, New York. You hear right; there is something of a Soho vibe at this stylish Surry Hills bar/restaurant.
The look inside? Drop lights, floorboards and a comfy, converted-warehouse feel can be found in the bar, which overlooks the sunken dining room below.
Speaking of dining... Bar snacks run the gamut from nuts ($7.50) to saffron risotto balls ($12), while the main menu is a good mix of seafood, pasta and meats. Desserts such as the white and dark chocolate mousse served with burnt mandarin sauce ($15) are to die for.
Are the cocktails worth sipping? Definitely, especially the martinis ($16). La Guavana, which mixes Havana Club, lemon juice, chilli, mint, sugar syrup and guava juice, has a good kick to it and the Rasputini’s delicate mix of vodka, raspberry liqueur, vanilla sugar and raspberry nectar goes down a treat.
Good music? It ranges from soul and crooner-style numbers to funky jazz. Wow factor? The lighting – everything from movie shutter lights to minimalist wrought-iron chandeliers give the place an edge.

By Rachel Smith

Address: 23 Foster St, Surry Hills, Sydney
Phone: 9281 3352
Open: Monday - Saturday