restaurants

Clo Wines (New York)
Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 4th Floor

According to Cheryl, this high-tech and chic drinking hole makes wine consumption engaging and accessible to all. Located near Per Se, Masa and Porterhouse, Clo Wines boasts views of Central Park and is worth a visit for an experience that Cheryl assures us is unlike any other. Pick cult and rare wines from their extensive list using the bar’s iPod-like touch screen table tops. Standout wines like the Barbeito 1863 Bual Madeira and the ribolla gialla from Slovenia’s Movia winery—rarely offered by the glass—can be savoured here. The wine is automatically dispensed into your glass in 2oz or 4oz measures once you pay by credit card, taking ‘self-service’ to a whole new level!

Clover Club (New York)
210 Smith St, Brooklyn

Using a salvaged 19th century backbar as its centerpiece, Clover Club is a gentlemen’s club outfitted with an old-school dark wood and pressed tin décor. Cheryl loves that the cocktails are delightfully inventive, thanks to female master mixologist Julie Reiner and an outstanding team of bartenders. Highly recommended is the Improved Whiskey Cocktail, a powerful concoction of rye, maraschino liqueur, bitters and absinthe served with an oversized ice cube. Another choice pick is the less mainstream Solera, a Spanish cocktail combining Calvados and East India Sherry, which Cheryl describes as a “sensual siesta”.

El Xampanyet (Barcelona,Spain)
22 Carrer Montcada

El Xampanyet is believed to be nearly a century old and is a well-loved institution in Barcelona. Located a stone’s throw away from the Picasso Museum, this rustic yet eclectic tapas bar is lined with colourful tiles and antique curios. Cheryl likens it to a European version of the Singaporean kopitiam with its mish-mash of paintings and lithographs, and friendly owners. Famous for its delectable range of local tapas, tease your tastebuds with creamy Spanish cheeses and patatas bravas (fried potatoes). Cheryl recommends that you wash it all down with delicious rose-coloured Cava, while soaking in the breezy urbanite vibes.

Ivy Bar (Sydney)
330 George Street

Housed within The Ivy—the ultra swanky, multi-level venue touted to host ‘the ultimate house party in the city”, Ivy Bar is the epicenter of all the action and is a magnet for Sydney’s who’s who. Cheryl is deeply in love with the stunning world-class design that dominates every inch of this Justin Hemmes establishment. Cheryl recommends the Sydney Breeze, a luscious concoction of pink grapefruit juice, a dash of cranberry, Skyy Vodka and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Vinoteca (London)
7 St. John Street

Vinoteca, which is inspired by the wine bars of Spain and Italy, is recognised as one of the best wine bars in London and Cheryl enjoys having a tipple here every time she’s in the fashionable city. Their wine list encourages exploration with an impressive selection of 25 wines by the glass which changes every week, and their food menu embraces charcuterie (think Jabugo ham, Jamon Iberico and braised pork cheeks with parsnips and pancetta). According to Cheryl, the wine shop is a treasure trove of affordable and great value-for-money wines procured from Portugal to Greece.