My first and only trip to Australia was about five years ago when my husband and I met up with our son who had been working and traveling in the land of OZ.
Our itinerary included Melbourne, Adelaide and the nearby Barossa Valley, Kangaroo Island, Hamilton Island, and of course Sydney.
I gotta go back.
Sydney’s oh so popular Bondi Beach has a hot new cocktail lounge opening at the iconic Ravesi’s on November 30, 2007. Named Drift, it’s located on Australia’s most famous and oft-photographed stretch of sand.
Ravesi’s features 12 rooms created by renowned designer and abstract artist Dane van Bree. They’re chic, with understated luxury. Decorated in an Aboriginal palate of black, copper and bronze the rooms combine contemporary elegance with classic sophistication.
The sleek clean lines and use of natural light and brilliant white are the perfect backdrop for van Bree’s abstract paintings.
Drift is like a luxury beach house, featuring white leather and brushed cotton daybeds; rich upholstered ottomans; glazed brilliant-white champagne cork stools; and Italian-made bamboo and pale linen covered chairs.
Plush, mirrored banquettes seat up to 16 and an exclusive VIP room can host the same number of guests.
A travertine stone double-sided fireplace and bronze wall mounted lamps bathe the resto in a warm, natural glow of soft candle light. And yes, there’s a view from the sun deck, which wraps around Ravesi’s 1914 heritage facade.
Drift’s tapas-style menu blends Australasian flavors with Latin American and Mediterranean influences. A raw spoon bar features such delicacies as Wagyu carpaccio with abalone and sea urchin kina and spiced barramundi with lemon gremolata.
Resident mixologist Kass Hill is a local legend. Enjoy such favorites as the Bondi Bella and Ravesi’s Gourmet Bloody Mary.
I’m ready for another trip to The Land Down Under!