New Years Eve 2009/10

The Good Doctor and myself decided that something grand should be on the cards for December 31st, 2009 as we often find ourselves bereft of decent plans, watching the fireworks on T.V. on the lounge with an unfinished martini in hand.

We turned to the Victoria Room and it's Casablanca themed New Years Eve dinner and were not disappointed. Booking well in advance, we frocked-up, 40s style and headed in to Darlinghurst for a gastronomic feast.

Starting with a Martini (Aviation Gin), we settled into canapes and took in the ambiance. Antique furniture, cane blinds and lazy ceiling fans fueled the image of a colonial retreat in a hot climate (not very far from the truth), not quite Morocco, but close enough.

They had a live jazz band and a 40s boutique for the ladies to get makeovers if desired (the Good Doctor already looked smashing so did not require their services) and to set the mood Casablanca played on repeat over the projector.

Then dinner came, and a full spread of animals was laid out before us - veal, lamb and fish - accompanied by chats, beans and a smashing haloumi salad.

The band played on through dinner as we sipped our Tom Collins' and winced as the clarinetist squeaked his way through each rendition of 'As time goes by'.


By the time we finished dinner, we had little room for desserts and the coffee that followed. It was however; much needed as we found ourselves delirious after our bout of delicious gluttony.

We looked at our watches. Was there time for another cocktail before the midnight hour? Was there even enough room?

It was nay on both accounts so we decided to repair to the bar to watch the countdown and fireworks displayed on the great screen. It was a grand night - definitely topping our other NYE attempts. Whilst we still saw the fireworks on T.V., at least we had managed to upgrade from the lounge.