Rosenbaum & Fuller, the new venue by Lee Potter Cavanagh brings an ethos of sustainability and seasonality to Bondi Beach with a redefined vision of modern Australian.
Rosenbaum & Fuller – Photo: Paul Christian
Occupying the former site of The Crossing, a short stroll from Bondi Beach, Rosenbaum & Fuller is named after Owner/Operator Lee Potter Cavanagh’s grandmothers, the two most recent immigrants in his family who settled in Australia in the nineteenth century.
The venue has a capacity for 50 people and was designed and built by Lee with the help of friends and family. Bright, airy and welcoming, the space is decked out in light timber tones with dried native flowers and hanging bottles of spirits above the bar that are somewhat reminiscent of Der Raum bar in Melbourne. An outdoor seating area invites sundowner sessions and catch ups with mates.
Lee Potter Cavanagh is no stranger to the hospitality scene. The 2015 Bartender of the Year has many coveted venues in his resumé including The Victoria Room in Sydney, Akiba in Canberra, Whisky Jerx and managing East Village in Darlinghurst along with a long stint in the UK. Rosenbaum & Fuller is his solo venture, an inviting and relaxed multi-faceted venue that is very Bondi in essence. “You can treat it like a bar, a café or bistro”, he says.
Defining what makes modern Australian is at the heart of the venue. As a child of multiculturalism, identifying with the stereotype of Australian food isn’t something he grew up with, and with sustainability, seasonality and locality in mind, Rosenbaum & Fuller’s offerings are focused on produce that reflects the diverse mix of cultures in Australia.
Rosenbaum & Fuller Cocktail List
The ethos translates to the drinks menu with a cocktail list that incorporates Australian native ingredients and spirits that are mostly from Australia. The cocktail list is structured like the food menu and mirrors it in the way it lists ingredients and names key flavours guests can easily recognise.
It starts with Soft, listing easy-drinking non-alcoholic cocktails, sessionable Spritz with native flavours such as river mint and native thyme, then onto Highballs with kombucha, white rum and apricot brandy.
The Cocktails section includes a fun, slushie style drink that echoes the flavours of summer in Australia, combining mango with blanco tequila, Tasmanian blackcurrant liqueur and lime. The Ocean Gin cocktail is a standout. The house take on the dirty Martini is a savoury sipper that combines Dasher & Fisher Ocean gin from Tasmania with dry vermouth, wakame salt and drops of parsley oil. Every sip is a reminder of the sea, a drink that gives more than a gentle nod to the beachside locality. Afters include sweeter style post-dinner drinks such as Banana Fizz with green ant gin, almond and honey.
If you can’t decide, the “Drink Me” option for two is the way to go. As Lee puts it, “Talk to me and I’ll make it happen”.
Click through the following pages to view a selection of Rosenbaum & Fuller Cocktails.
