Stop right now - the search for a cool and trendy bar to spend your Friday nights has come to an end. The One Up Bar & Bistro on the
Mooloolaba Esplanade is one seriously cool place drink, eat and socialise.
Welcome to One Up
Sitting up a floor at the very start of the Esplanade, I'm surprised I haven't noticed One Up before. We came here recently for a friend's going away party and couldn't believe we didn't know about this place any sooner. It was packed - obviously a favourite with the locals. They had a nice, long bar area, several tables, a couple of couches and some stools and bars next to big open windows looking out over Mooloolaba Beach and the nearby caravan park.
Perfect positioning on the Mooloolaba Esplanade
The food was to die for. I wasn't too thrilled when I saw the prices for some menu items but I soon found the price was well worth it. They had some delicious but pricey items such as the 350g rib on the bone, herb stuffed mushrooms, duck fat potatoes, broccolini and red wine sauce ($39) and the Paperbark smoked eye fillet, potato skordalia, blistered truss tomato, crisp prosciutto, grilled asparagus and port wine jus ($32).
Pear, hazelnut and gorgonzola salad on roquette with apple cider dressing and balsamic reduction ($15)
After perusing the menu for a lot longer than I usually do I opted for the Twice cooked lamb shoulder with dauphinoise potatoes, toasted macadamia, sweet peas and lamb jus ($27). I think I made the best choice possible. The lamb literally fell off the bone it was just perfect. It went down so well with my beer fresh from the tap. After polishing off my plate I noticed a few dessert items as well but the lamb had honestly left me completely satisfied.
Twice cooked lamb shoulder with dauphinoise potatoes, toasted macadamia, sweet peas and lamb jus ($27)
We were also treated to a bit of live music this particular evening as well. They didn't play as late as some venues do but I was grateful that it wasn't so loud that I couldn't hear my mates sitting next to me. The music just helped to add to the environment here - it made it feel very welcoming.
A cool venue for a beer
One Up was a marvellous discovery - it fits in so well in the Mooloolaba area and I really enjoyed it. It's a shame there aren't more places like it but then again that would take away from the charm that this one already has. I'm already looking forward to coming back a bit earlier in the day to try out the lunch menu.
