Apple Julep @ Toff's - $18

Celebration! Tonight! Celebrate! I always feel too lazy and tired to enjoy going to bars, until I stumble across a place like Toff's. On the very strong recommendation of my brother, in awe of their amazing range of spirits, a small group of us went there to celebrate Su passing all her uni exams! Congratulations to SuSu!!!


The Toff
Second Floor, Curtin House
252 Swanston Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9639 8770
Website


The Toff is located in Curtin House on Swanston street, opposite Lounge and above Cookie. I think it's quite new, but don't take my word for it. I don't get out a lot, especially since I started full time work. Who knew that getting up at 6:30 every morning would be abso-frikkin-lutely exhausting?! In fact, most Friday nights see me slumped on the couch in front of a Law and Order: SVU marathon on TV1. Unglamorous, I know, but better to be honest than pretend to be cool.

It was very crowded and warm in there, and after battling the crowds to get our first drinks, we hovered on some barstools near a row of booths and pounced as soon as one became free.

First round: I believe that is a vodka orange, a Pimms & cranberry, and a G&T (in the background). I don't have any bloggable photos of my first drink of the night, a mojito ($18). Apologies for this; the only photos we got, unfortunately, include me pulling stupid faces behind it. Let me assure you the mojito was very good - chock full of fresh half-wedges of lime, brown sugar, fresh mint and heaps of ice. And rum, of course. Yum!

Now, the booths. In the centre of Toff's is a long line of booths, each with leather banquettes and a table. The booths are separated by wire mesh-type windows (think: an opium den but less smokily opulent), and have sliding doors for added privacy. I loved the booths, but being an avid SVU watcher, I was a bit nervous as to what a DNA swab of the leather seats might turn up. Eek.

Onto more pleasant matters: the booths also have service buttons. This is the effortless option, although you will have to provide a credit card for a tab... be careful not to run up a huge bill! Meanwhile, see the gorgeously presented apple julep at the top of this post? Well, it looked beautiful, but tasted like paint stripper to us weaklings. At least we had lots of crunchy apple slices to munch on.

I was delighted to see they had a supper menu. See, responsible drinkers should ensure they eat small meals and keep up their water intake, and... *a million other excuses*... let's just look at the menu!

According to friends of mine, the dinner menu is very good... next time, next time.

Possibly a little small to see, but I knew I'd never remember all the prices off the top of my head.

Sausage rolls with tomato and onion chutney - $11.50

The tastiest sausage rolls ever. I think there was a thin layer of cheese between the puff pastry and the sausage - inspired. I'd totally have a go at making these for a party - I reckon you'd just need to buy some good chipolatas, and wrap them up with good sliced cheese and puff pastry before baking.

Salami pizza with basil, tomato, olives and buffalo mozzarella - $10.50

This pizza was also fabulous, hot and crispy and doughy. Great food, great drinks, fantastic atmosphere. Can't wait to come back!