Boteco

In Sydney right now, South American food is the new Asian food, and one of the best places to get it is at this ‘Bar de Petisco’, or Brazilian-style bar selling tasty morsels alongside well executed cocktails. Waiters are dapper, attentive and South American – these boys from Brazil are ready to offer you a finely balanced Pisco Sour, a sea-salt encrusted Margarita or a Hemingway dacquiri, while fruitier options include a Acai Amazonico Batida (all $16). Wines are Chilean and Argentinean (seven by the glass) and beers such as Argentina’s crisp Quilmes ($8) are a salve for the saltiness of chicken croquettes, jamon crudo, bacalhau (cod balls) or a fiery chorizo. There are more delicate flavours too, such as an exceptional snapper ceviche – order it on a Thursday and they’ll throw in a glass of pinot grigio for $17. Boteco is one of Cleveland Street’s best options for a civilised drink-and-dine – reserve a table and spend an evening working your way through the cocktail list.