You’ve had it dry, wet and dirty. You’ve had it smoky, bottled and poured into a chilled glass. You’ve even had it nitro-chilled with a spherified olive. Now get ready to enjoy your martini out of a can.
Newtown eatery Continental Deli is serving the classic cocktail out of custom tin cans. The “Mar-tinny” is made with 6 parts to 1 Tanqueray Gin and Lillet Blanc, a little purified water, complete with lemon peel, canned onsite using the venue’s canning machine. Order one, and enjoy watching your chilled drink poured out of a can and served with a side of green olives.
Continental Deli by Elvis Abrahanowicz and Joe Valore of Sydney’s Porteño and Bodega is no speakeasy bar. The venue is a true delicatessen with an extensive selection of charcuterie, cheeses, sandwiches, tinned fish and an array of deli and canned goods. By evening, a small bar vibe envelops the intimate space with patrons huddled over drinks and bites of charcuterie and cheese.
One side of the marble counter top doubles as a bar with Bar Manager, Michael Nicolian, previously at Gardel’s Bar in Porteño slinging drinks. His enticing and succinct cocktail menu is based on classics with a selection designed to take the guesswork out of ordering. The house spritz includes Averna and poached pears and sits along the house-made Limoncello Fizz, Amaretto Sour along with the classic Sidecar, Manhattan, and Perfect Lady to name a few. You’ll also find the Moonwalk, a cocktail invented by London’s Savoy, for Neil Armstrong and his crew when they returned from the moon, a mix of Grand Marnier with orange blossom, orange bitters and sparkling wine. The Woolworth, is not to be missed, a take on the Bobby Burns with whisky, sweet vermouth bitters Benedictine and Tio Pepe sherry.
The menu on the letter board lists a range of classic Vermouths along with Amaro and sherry, chosen as great accompaniment to the food. Order a clam dish and you’ll get a little drink made from the brine of tinned sardines with Lillet Blanc and Tio Pepe Fino Sherry. Of course, an extensive wine list with a focus on French, Italian and Australian wines is also on offer.
Continental Deli Newtown had already won the hearts of locals and it’s easy to see why. It’s the type of venue where you could perch at the bar, in a deli and enjoy top notch cocktails. And you can have your Martinny from 11 am.
Continental Deli Newtown
Address: 210 Australia St, Newtown, NSW
Hours: 11 am to 10 pm, Monday to Sunday
Photo by Cocktails & Bars – © Copyright: All rights reserved.
