Tigra is a small bar located in Sydney’s happening Quay Quarter Lanes precinct. Above, they have sibling cocktail bar called Disco Pantera, but these are separate venues with their own unique mission and approach.
This small bar is very different, it is intimate and has a unique offering of over 50 wines by the glass. This is a rare find, to have a bar with so many varieties by the glass. This means you have the opportunity to try new things, with suggestions provided by the staff. I tried a beautiful organic grillo from Sicily and Kurt had a Chardonnay. This was from the Margaret river, and it had a nutty burnt butter on the nose, creamy feel in the mouth with grapefruit and lemon notes.
He also tried a Dune Chenin Blanc, this Maclaren Vale wine was dry but juicy, a tropical fruit juice feel to it and with a slightly bitter citrus, lemon funk. A great choice for the evening.
The venue also does some aperitifs, martini’s and beer, and we had one of their beautiful boulevardia and a mandarin highball.
The staff (owners) were so lovely and very knowledgeable and helpful about all their products, especially the style of wine, their origins and pairings. They certainly gave us great advice as to our wine choice. It really is a great place to pop in with a friend or on a date and sample some different varieties, as well as a few small plates of food.
The Gordon and Ross Purnell’s small bar has food offerings inspired by their travel in Barcelona and Tokyo and we think this works so well.
We began with some beautiful scallops in the shell topped with Iberico pork fat, scallion oil, it was a great start. In addition, some fresh oysters sourced from Pambula. Having been to Pambula, we know these are good. Served with a slice of lemon and some Tabasco, it was an easy choice with a glass of wine whilst we decided what to else order.
The menu is great, perfect to pair with the drinks. They are small plates, made in store, and whilst there isn’t a kitchen or sorts, it presents like that of a fine dining establishment. It’s stunning!
We loved their Catalan inspired Escalivada – roast capsicum and eggplant, kombu vinaigrette, alto olive oil, a dish we just ate with a fork and any oil mopped up with the fresh Foccacia made by Faby. We’d recommend ordering some Foccacia, and this is needed for the whipped carrot dip, with goats curd, and toasted macadamia. It looked like a work of art.
For a bit bigger option, we had a beautiful mortadella roll, which they tell us is based on Anthony Bourdain’s favourite snack. This sees a thick slice of delicious mortadella and provolone cheese on a fresh white roll. We shared it but also works perfectly as a single snack for one person, because let’s face it, you’ll want it all. We had this with some crispy potato gems that were served with Kewpie mayo and bottarga.
Whilst the plates are small, as that’s the snack and sip style of a venue, they are banging on flavour, and with what we ordered, we were definately full. A stunning menu.
We love the ambience of a small bar, specialised service and experience on offer.
Tigra
11 Young St NSW 200
bartigra.com.au