What to Expect @ Rambutan

By Sarah Han

This restaurant and bar is a little gem on the crowded Oxford Street. It's dark and ominous from the outside, and the venue name is barely visible. This is very different from most bars or restaurants on Oxford Street, which are often more obvious and striking from the outside.

Rambutan, on the other hand, is a restaurant and bar that prides itself on being a little mysterious and out of the ordinary. The word rambutan refers to a tropical fruit, native to Southeast Asia. The fruit has a hairy, red skin, and inside its flesh is whitish pink - similar to a lychee. Here's a fun fact: in Indonesian "rambut" means hair, so the fruit has been named accordingly.

Upon passing through the doors of Rambutan, we're entering a completely different world - a darker, more exotic and luxurious land. First you can only see the restaurant area, which only seats up to 24 people. The kitchen opens up to the dining area, so diners can directly witness their meals being cooked by the chefs. Rambutan serves lovely Thai food (mostly Southern Thai dishes), but with an Australian take.

Then you can venture down the stairs to the cocktail bar, which Rambutan calls the Tiki Lounge. This lounge is dim like the restaurant upstairs, and equally intimate. Both areas are small, but chic. You'll immediately notice the striking fish tanks in the walls - they add an outlandish feel to the bar. The bar is the centrepoint of the downstairs area, and hues of brown, green and red are infused throughout the aesthetically delightful venue. Even the walls are specially designed - with fabric, and fringed with differed coloured thread.

The dedicated staff offers faultless service, and are happy to make you some cocktails. Try a cocktail with rambutans in it - I like the Rambutan Sorbet Bellini ($16), which is absolutely delicious. There's also a formidable wine list and mocktails on offer.

If you'd like to try some of the flavoursome food without having a full-on dinner, there's also a tasting menu at the bar. Sample the Jasmine tea smoked quail with roasted garlic and black pepper sauce for $16. I especially like how the tasting menu even points out if the dish is gluten free (g) or vegetarian (v).

Rambutan is a wonderful venue to have dinner and drinks at. It's a little restaurant and a small bar with big taste and lots of style. It's absolutely perfect for those looking for something a little bit exotic and extraordinary.