Jerome Dubois is proudly French. And he is the Director of Rosé Royale, an inconspicuous European wine bar and decidedly French restaurant in Kellett Street, Potts Point. Jerome has been in hospitality for 35 years. He was born outside Paris, the son of a postmaster, and travelled all over France. His family reunions were overflowing with wine he tasted since he seven years’ old. He was a fashion and set designer and travelled all over the world but opened in Potts Point because of the vibrant location and unique site.

He loves the friendly locals and their French-style joie de vivre.

Rosé Royale is the world’s first Rosé wine bar and restaurant.

There are more than 35 Rosés from around the world to choose from with French food and cocktails inspired by Rosé. The idea came to him when he realised no-one else had thought of it. “There’s no better place to enjoy a drink, a bite to eat, and have a great time out than here in Rose Royale,” says Jerome proudly

The wine list includes about 80 Rosés from all over the world including Australia and French wines made using various methods and includes Champagnes and Burgundies. Classic white and red wines also feature.

His favourite is De Beaurepaire’s Le Bourbon Rosé from Mudgee, NSW, and Grand Glace Rosé from Provence

The cocktail menu includes 18 Versaille-inspired and classic cocktails to choose from. The restaurant serves a Charcuterie Plate; saucisson, cured meat and chicken liver, Rosé parfait, served with Rosé jam and cornichons (baby gherkins); a Cheese Plate; cheeses served with Rosé jam and a Rosé poached pear, a vegetarian plate; garlic & espelette (capsicum) snails; Pâté Aux Pommes De Terre; layers of garlic & parsley harmony potato cooked in puff pastry, served with crème fraiche sauce; Prawns and Foie Gras; grilled king prawns cutlets layered with foie gras, served with toasted fruit bread and caviar butter; Plateau de la Mer ; citrus & Rosé house-cured salmon, tuna & sundried tomato terrine with buckwheat blinis, sardines in olive oil & Rosé vinegar & mussels in escabeche (a splash of vinegar) pickle.

The décor is a delightful challenge to the retina: think Versaille Palace meets a Parisienne Moulin Rouge club.  Versaille was the French King’s extravagant Parisienne Palace from where various French Kings ruled between 1715-1793 at the height of the baroque/rococco period. Jerome admits he is a royalist.

Rosé Royale includes three rooms with antique heritage features retained including ceiling mouldings, a magnificent gold mirror, a marble fireplace and ornate cornices.

The décor theme is, well, Rosé of course. Think pink lighting. The décor is decidedly decadent with brass-edged, Carrara marble-topped tables, a green wall of foliage, picture frames within picture frames and a library wall about Versailles.

Naturally, chandeliers glitter from every room in Rosé Royale. A faux fur albino tiger floor rug named “Dimitri” with knarled teeth cheekily threatens guests, a gesture to the emblem of a Rosé House.

Another Jerome speciality as French Frosé,, an exquisitely refreshing and delicious drink made from semi-frozen Rosé, grapefruit and bubblegum or Rosé and cherries.  It is Summer in a goblet.

Rosé Royale seats 55 and incorporates an outdoor terrace seating patio.

He caters for cocktail parties, Christmas functions, birthdays, engagement parties and drinks packages.

Naturally, even the Christmas tree is made from Rosé bottles.

This year’s Christmas Joyeux Noël function runs for twelve hours, a continuous French reveillou (party) on Christmas Eve with an all-you-can-eat fixed price menu. Book early.

Rosé Royale

7 Kellett Street, Potts Point NSW 2011

Phone 0412 791 358 (02) 8540 4388

Email jerome@roseroyalesydney.com.au and It

Face book and instagram@ROSEROYALSYDNEY

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 5.30pm – late, Friday – Sunday: Midday – late

Book on-line at www.dimmi.com.au

By Andrew Woodhouse