The Thousands

When we jumped down the stairs into this long-awaited bar, we got asked "did you have trouble finding the place?" Well, kinda, cause Temperance Lane isn’t even named on Google maps. But that must be sort of the point: you don’t stick a bar up a back alley if you’re going for prominence.

Grasshopper is probably what Clover had in mind when she pushed the small bar laws through. The split-level space has been beautifully transformed: the eclectically furnished downstairs bar is charmingly haphazard, while the wooded upstairs bistro is all dark hues, white linens and candlelight.

The menu is compact and French: grab a share plate of duck parfait or pork and parsley terrine; upsize to a steak au poivre for main. There are clever little touches: mixers in jars, the wines available in 500ml carafes as well as glass or bottle, and the simply numbered cocktail list. My one gripe: it’s not ironic to follow Otis Redding with *NSYNC, it’s just upsetting. But when that’s the only real hiccup just a few days after opening, you done good.