Oxford Street has a funky new tapas bar called Caness, joining nearby heavy-hitters Fred’s, 10 William St and Saint Peter in Paddington. The 60-seater restaurant is spearheaded by Erez Nahum and Juan Colmenares, the team behind Surry Hills’ much-loved Shaffa. Caness is serving up the flavours of the Middle East and Mediterranean – think punchy spices, vibrant colours and beautiful ingredients.
“We wanted to create something truly unique – a space that captures the vibrant energy of the Middle East and the laid-back charm of tapas culture," says Nahum. "Caness is where those two worlds collide, offering a dining experience that's both familiar and excitingly new.”
Jeever Domingo (ex–The Wine Bar at The International, Opera Bar, Whalebridge and Morrison’s Oyster Bar & Grill) is helming the kitchen at Caness. On the menu there’s beef tartare enhanced with pimentón-harissa aioli, chives and potatoes; sabich – an Israeli street-food sandwich packed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, tahini, zhug and sumac-za’atar pita; prawns saganaki with ouzo, cherry tomatoes, capsicum, feta, mint, parsley and oregano; and grilled octopus with a zesty herb and caper salsa and roasted cos lettuce.
With more than 80 bottles of vino and 20+ by-the-glass and carafe options, the wine line-up at Caness is strong. If you want to start with a cocktail, there are ten to choose from, all of which incorporate Mediterranean flair. Take the Clear Gazpacho, for example – inspired by Spain’s famous chilled soup, it features vodka, fino sherry, tomato, strawberry oleo, cucumber, vinegar and lemon. For a sweet twist on the classic, there’s a Pineapple Margarita. Or go for the sangria, spiked with red wine, brandy, arak and soda – and pretend you’re in Barcelona.
"Our vision was to create a home-like dining experience," says Colmenares. "With its casual, communal vibe, Caness feels less like a restaurant dining room and we hope it's a place where people can connect, enjoy themselves and feel at home - even in shorts and thongs."
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