Vanessa: If there is ever an opportunity to spoil yourself with treatments, you can guarantee that I will be at the front of the queue. Those that know me know that I have a weakness for two things, food and treatments, so when those two loves amalgamate it is a perfect match for me. Christopher Hanna has married a luxe salon experience alongside a sophisticated bar featuring nitrogen espresso martinis on tap, an extensive drinks list and solid food choices.
Bianca and I had the pleasure of experiencing both the salon and bar at Christopher Hanna one Thursday evening and loved it. The salon is buzzing and bustling with the whirling sounds of hair dryers toned down by the music overheard. Christopher Hanna has been in operation for many years and the recent opening of the Bridge St Salon has clearly been a draw card for loyal advocates as the place was pumping. The salon offers a high-end experience using products such as Kerastase and Shu Uemera and Bianca and I were well impressed by our blow dry that included a moisture treatment. Full disclosure, I was so happy with my blow dry I made it last 5 days!
The experience just gets better when you can literally take 10 steps with your freshly styled hair and be sat at a beautiful circular bar perusing the food and drink menu. The bar is beautiful, stocked with every imaginable spirit and has ample seating as well as a lounge area.
The bar staff are young, eager and keen to try their hand and mixing off menu cocktails. I went for my cocktail of choice, Espresso martini, which was topped off with a nitrogen foam.
Admittedly I was initially hesitant at what the food offering would be like but we were both extremely impressed by what we had. There was some definite stands out for us on the menu. The charcuterie board($32) with a substantial service of cold meats and cornichons served with chunky pieces of sourdough – the perfect accompaniment to a cocktail or wine and a good sharing option for 2-3 people.
The burrata ($14) ,our weakness, was oozing with creaminess and sat amongst a bed of mixed leaves and atop a layer of honey. The combination of the burrata and sweet honey is delicious – I’m really not sure why I haven’t thought to combine the two before!
The croque monsieur ($16) is a must with truffle béchamel and double smoked ham. The truffle flavours are strong and just completely take this to a whole new level.
The galician octopus with potatoes ($18) is served warm and something you may expect to find in an upmarket Spanish restaurant. The octopus is super tender and subtle in flavour.
The marinated spanish sardines and aioli ($16) are a bit of an odd offering, particularly served in the tin. Bianca and I are not fans, so we passed on this one.
Salon pricing is on the high end but as you would expect in the CBD but the bar menu is reasonable. Whether its for a girls night out or simply a visit to spoil yourself, you will be sure to walk away happy with your new do and merry from a cheeky cocktail or two.
Enjoy!
Vanessa
Photos by Bianca
https://christopherhanna.com.au/
*For Food’s Sake dined as guests of Christopher Hanna.
Whaaat? Is that even real? That looks amazing! Next level 😀
Oh it’s real and it’s spectacular! Honestly , the longest stretch I have ever gone without washing my hair. We are already planning our next visit!