Argyle Bazar
Editorial
Walk across the Aryle's old cobble stones and through the low wooden doors to discover the chic treasure trove of Bazar. Lamps wrapped with gemstone and floral patterned imagery shine a soft and mysterious glow onto black velvet chairs, dark wooden floorboards and sheer pearl-coloured curtains. Escapees of the young corporate world relax amongst the bejewelled den on this Friday evening, where long cocktail glasses holding sunset-coloured liquid bring sweet relief.
Creative combinations reflect eccentric Spanish chef Miguel Maestre's eclectic journeys around the globe. Our eyes were too big for our stomachs whilst perusing the list of culinary jewels and the table is soon cluttered with an assortment of tapas dishes, bright with different sauces and sprinklings of edible flowers.
Our eyes gawk at three faux ice cream cones - the crisp-dried serrano ham cases are filled with chive-laced potato puree, topped with a poached quail egg and wafer-like crisp prosciutto. Yolk dribbles down the sweet-looking savoury surprises as though they're melting. Slow-braised beef cheek and mashed potato are encased within crusted croquettes' shells that mop up the dramatic bed of green pea. Bites of the glistening layers of slow roasted pork belly melt amongst the crunch of crackling, and green-tomato chutney adds a pickled tang. The gentle flavours of Kingfish ceviche are surprisingly quiet compared to the previously louder dishes, but the soft textures make for a palate-cleansing dish. The sugary scent of warm chocolate sauce is an introduction to long buttery churro fingers - sparkling with crystalline sugar they are soon plunged into the sauce that drips down the ridged edges.
Miguel Maestre's twisted tapas are quirky and colourful, as each dish clashes expectations with experience as you eat. The funky hideout is a popular retreat for the stylish crowds of the city who will later take back to the cobbled stones of the Argyle for some star-lit flirting.
Edwina Storie, December 2010
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