Fresh juice always goes down well. Add in a bit of alcohol, shake it with ice and light it on fire and you’ve got one of the reasons why Alfred and Constance on the corner of, of course, Constance and Albert Streets in Fortitude Valley, is a great place for a drink.
Ed+bK Bar Reporter Xander Stone explores Alfred & Constance’s top level Tiki Bar.
I was invited the other day with a friend to sample the Alfred & Constance winter cocktail menu and to try out their new Monday dinner menu. That's right, another venue in Brisbane open on Monday night for dinner!
As we walked up to the Tiki Bar, past the life size Jack Sparrow statue, our friendly bartender told us that we must get laid (the floral Hawaiian way) while offering us a selection fantastic cocktails.
At the moment Alfred and Constance are the only venue in Brisbane to exclusively use fresh, house-made juices in every drink.
We had a 1934 Zombie Punch (only one per person per night) which consisted of rum, another rum, lime and their top secret zombie mix. I now completely understand why it’s only one a night! Then we shared the Hanalei Rum Punch, where you could really tasty the fresh pineapple and banana.
Now down stairs for some post cocktail dinner. Holding all of the attention from the get go was the whole roasted pig sitting on display in their amazing open kitchen (poor chefs). Taking that into account we ordered some of that lovely pig, and watermelon duck, a combination that had enough flavour to burst out of anyone’s mouth. Not forgetting our entrees of tantalising sea scallops, plus a twist on an old dish, a chorizo scotched egg with its lovely mild spice cancelling out the saltiness.
All this gets pared with weekly cocktail specials. I decided we should at least have a go at enjoying them all and discovered the drinks where all worthy of a bar with so many finalists in the state cocktail championships. Our pick of the three was the apple martini. With its both sour and sweet flavours, it tickled the taste buds and we fought over who got the last sip.
Bottom line: All round an excellent night and a highly recommended venue for both cocktails and a quiet Monday night dinner and drink.
Best tip: Follow the rules and stick to one Zombie a night.
Disclaimer: Ed+bK bar reporter Xander Stone was a guest of Alfred and Constance.
Kerry Heaney
