No Shortage Of Substance – Vue Bar and Tapas

By Rhys Kane on November 18, 2010 in Food

The paella at Vue is amazing!

Vue Bar and Tapas is Bondi’s hottest new destination. Located up some unassuming stairs on Campbell Parade, a sleek cocktail bar and designer dining room with a fabulous deck area overlooking the beach awaits. It certainly lives up to its name, boasting one of the most stunning vistas in Bondi.

These days, it would be hard to picture Bondi without tapas. The ever-popular concept of sharing small plates of food is perfect for the average Bondi punter who likes to go for dinner, drink cocktails, look good, but not really eat anything. It’s no wonder that so many tapas restaurants are opening in the area and thriving.

So is Vue just another style over substance tapas bar? Definitely not. While half the fun of going for dinner in Bondi is people watching – a pastime that Vue ably accommodates both in the bar and by gazing down at the passers by on the Campbell Parade catwalk – there is no shortage of substance to this place. The menu is a mix of Mediterranean tapas and pizza, and there is enough on it to keep you grazing for hours. The tapas selection features all the classics you would expect to see. The salt and pepper squid was good, as were the soy and ginger chicken skewers, and the rock oysters (natural, of course) were fresh and well presented. The pick of the tapas though was the paella, a steaming hot bowl of saffron rice with seafood and a hint of chilli, though it was a shame it didn’t come in the authentic paella pan. If you can fit in a dessert, the trio of tiramisu, panna cotta and creme brulee is, as it sounds, amazing.

If you treat Vue as a tapas restaurant and order a couple of dishes to go with a drink, you won’t have to sell your watch to pay the bill – it is really good value. However, this is the Eastern Suburbs and there is the opportunity to ritz it up if you’re that way inclined, especially if you settle in on the balcony and hit the cocktails. The list is interesting and well compiled, and contains the best premium spirits. There are also some good wines to choose from – mostly from Australia and NZ – ranging from $35 to $90 a bottle.

Vue offers one of the best views in Bondi, but they don’t just settle for an aesthetically pleasing aspect. The is food fantastic and the drinks are delicious, so grab a bunch of friends and settle in while the sun sets behind you.

Vue Bar & Tapas

Address: 1/80 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Phone: (02) 9130 5888
Open: Tues – Fri, 12pm-12am, Sat-Sun 7am-12am
Prices: $9.50-$16.50
Seats: 98
Cards: All cards except Amex
Licensed/BYO: Licensed