By Sacha Delfosse – editor bars&clubs
A new pop up bar and restaurant has opened its doors in Perth, offering locals an eclectic take on Spanish drinking and dining.
'Enrique's School for to Bullfighting' (sic) was recently launched by Scott Taylor, owner of neighbouring venue Beaufort Street Merchant.
Taylor has recruited Chef Michelle Forbes to run the kitchen, and James Connolly, formerly of El Público and Rockpool Bar and Grill, to manage the bar operations, alongside Connolly’s old associate, Phil ‘The Drill’ Weber.
“It’s all seated, all table service, the food is Modern Spanish share plates – we are not using the tapas word – it’s been bastardised to all buggery,” said Connolly.
“From the bar team perspective, we are not dressed in waistcoats and ties but you can ask us about any of the drinks or products that we sell and we can answer any questions. We can give a full professional style of service in a casual environment.”
The interior design is an eclectic mix of bright coloured chairs, booths covered in cow hides, bullfighting posters on the walls, a back bar constructed of empty wine boxes, a wine rack in the centre of the room, complemented by a classic 80s playlist.
Connolly’s recent trip to Spain as part of his prize for winning the national Gin Mare cocktail competition has also helped shape the new venue’s drinks offer.
“I wanted to try and recreate it and put our own spin on it so what we decided to do is get 15 different gins from around the world – nothing too crazy just stuff that we can move through – and we also have five different types of tonic waters.”
“In Spain they serve gin and tonics in a ‘copa’, which is a stemmed glass. We use white burgundy glasses to serve our gin and tonics, which accentuates the product and really helps release the aromas of the gin and the garnish.”
Enrique's also has a small but solid selection of wines, including a standard list that features “cool Spanish varietals and Australian interpretations of Spanish varietals”, said Connolly, as well as “some really good food wines and a wine geeks list”.