On a hot day, the Hotel Chambers offers hideaway from the sun and air conditioning to boot.
Though traditionally, Fridays mean yum cha at Sky Phoenix, today we opted for a pub lunch. Sick of the regulars; Eden Bar and St James Hotel, we thought we'd try Hotel Chambers, opposite Martin Place.
Dimly lit with red couches, the bar gives off a trendy vibe with suits hunched over tables inhaling anything from burgers to steaks to salads.
Around 12pm, it can be difficult to get a table but as it was already after 1pm, it had quietened down a bit.
We ordered at the bar from the one page menu. Hotel Chambers offers an average range of staple pub food; fish and chips - $15, Schnitzel - $14, Steak - $15, Caesar Salad - $9, Chicken Caesar - $11.
We took a Chicken Caesar and steak served medium rare with pepper sauce and mash, and were given a number.
Seating choices are normal height tables with bar stools, stools at the bar, and low tables with couches. We found a free couch towards the back of the small bar,
The food came quickly enough and though cutlery sits clearly in a box by the kitchen, the waitress brings two sets over and a steak knife. Water is available in jugs at the bar.
The steak came out medium rare as ordered - which is always a good start. The pepper sauce was flavoursome and pleasant and the mash was the right consistency. The dish was devoured in no time. (We were after all only on a work break).
The Caesar was a generous portion with a poached egg on top. I'm used hard boiled eggs, but this variation worked nicely as well.
The sauce was creamy with plenty of bacon bits and croutons scattered throughout. The chicken came in medium sized chunks and wasn't dried out as chicken in salads can sometimes be.
Hotel Chambers is a nice city bar, great for after work drinks, lunch breaks and meetings.
