The Arrival and Vibe
Some afternoons are just made for champagne, sunshine and a little indulgence — and the limited edition Clicquot & Claws menu at Smoke, Barangaroo House delivers all three in effortless style. We make our way through the already pumping ground floor crowd and up to the 3rd floor in the lift. We are promptly perched on high stools on the terrace, under the shade of wide umbrellas, enjoying sweeping views over Sydney Harbour and settle in for what quickly becomes the best kind of post-work wind-down on this stunning afternoon.
The vibe was exactly what you want on a gorgeous afternoon — buzzy but not chaotic with a sophisticated post-work crowd, upbeat tunes, a sea of clinking glasses and that distinct sense that everyone’s week just got instantly better. Service was just as sparkling as our drinks — friendly, fast and genuinely engaging without being over the top.
The Food and Drinks
We went straight for the Clicquot & Claws menu: a chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot for $99 (it’s normally $176, by the way, so it is excellent value) arrives and is promptly poured into elegant Riedel glasses, paired with the WA Brolos lobster menu. The Lobster Frites ($45) were beautifully presented — perfectly cooked luscious lobster, and that buttery-zesty sauce paired with golden crunchy fries is the ultimate combo that makes you go quiet for a moment. We’re not ashamed to admit that we were both scraping our lobster shells with enthusiasm by the end (trust us, you will be doing the same once you taste it!)
We share the Smashed Lobster Burger ($25) which was next-level — a juicy lobster patty with a hint of a spicy kick in the sauce, balanced out by the tangy pickles, lettuce and tomato with fries served in the cutest Veuve-themed boxes. Suffice to say, it didn’t last long….the burger was smashed indeed!
It’s the kind of afternoon that turns into evening before you even notice — as the sun sets, the light softens over the water, boats bob in the horizon, the bubbles are flowing and suddenly one bottle could very well turn into two….. Whether you’re celebrating, catching up or just chasing that Friday feeling early, this is an easy win.
The Clicquot & Claws promotion runs until Sunday 2 November across some of Solotel’s best locations – Aria, Barangaroo House, Chophouse Terrace, Chiswick and North Bondi Fish for lunch and dinner. This is luxe indulgence for less at some of Sydney’s most stunning and iconic venues. So get your skates on, grab a friend, clear your calendar and enjoy the bubbles, bites and some seriously good harbour-side energy pronto.
What We Were Addicted To:
The unbeatable combo of champagne and lobster with front-row Harbour views — what’s not to love?! This is indulgence made affordable.
What Do We Need to Be More Addicted:
Running this fab menu for longer, pretty please! Because when $99 Veuve, fresh lobster and sunshine are calling, the answer should always be yes.
Clicquot and Claws at Barangaroo House
35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Open from 12pm Tues-Sun
