Bootleg Bar

The name might suggest otherwise, but Bootleg is the real deal. It's a cosy sliver of a bar cast off the main drag of Kings Cross with a warm atmosphere, an Italian aesthetic and a solid commitment to simple pleasures. The premise is straight forward: good food, good wine, great service, no BS; and it delivers on all fronts. Pull up a bar stool under a series of framed snaps of African American music stars of yesteryear, and send a hat-tip to the waiter. There's no cocktail menu but ask nicely and you'll find they pour a steady list of classics. A Vodka Espresso is fittingly one of the house specialties – drink before or after dinner – although the egg-white whisky sour also comes highly recommended. The food comes like mama would make it: simple but good, with rounded servings that promise value for your hard-earned lire. There's comfort food including the mac & cheese ($17) or try the confit salmon salad ($25) if you're after something more contemporary. Food is matched with an exhaustive list of Italian wines and boutique beers. And just to prove these lads are always on the clock for your gastronomical pleasure, they even open for brunch so you can enjoy it all over again the next day.