Illuminati Bar & Grill
Editorial
Glebe's a tough area to crack into. It pumps with wining and dining options, and while it attracts some discerning boozers, the area is not known for producing the most inspired watering holes in the city. Illuminati is no different. Its one advantage is its high-exposure location. Perched on the corner of Parramatta and Glebe Point Roads, it sounds noisy but in fact the glassy walls in the alfresco dining area do a lot to shut out the din. And it's absolutely ideal for people watching.
Housed in the vast and iconic University Hall building, the interior of Illuminati can border on cavernous. Indeed it provides a light and airy space to relax over a glass of chardy, but even on a reasonably busy night by Glebe standards, the place looks and feels a bit empty.
Illuminati was conceived primarily as a diner and as a result the focus is squarely on food. The menu is broad, but the foodies out there will recognise the fare as glorified (but good) pub food. Cocktails are limited to seven fairly standard pours: The Fire Engine's mix of Jagermeister, blood orange and Agrum is yummy but too sweet, and the Velvet Slipper with brandy, tequila, gin, Black Sambuca, fresh mint, Blue Curacao and cranberry looks and tastes a bit like undergraduate rocket fuel. If you're feeling excessive, try and time your visit to coincide with the two-for-one cocktail happy hour during the week. The wine list is standard but crowd pleasing. So long as you don't walk in expecting a 1964 Chateau de Rothschild, you'll be fine.
To get the best out of Illuminati come mid week on a balmy evening for a late-night glass of wine and a sample of their tempting dessert menu.
Jessica Miller, March 2010
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