Believe it or not, swinging sexual activity is not considered a criminal act. In fact in places like Montreal the swingers' scene is hopping and no longer is there the worry that the cops are going to bust in and arrest everyone just as dudes are about to blow their love load into some kinky échangiste (French word for female swinger). Call me a prude but just because on-site boinking in clubs is legal in Canada doesn’t make me want to try it any time soon.
Walking into the Howard St laneway tapas bar Andaluz, I felt like I was entering a swingers’ love den. The bar has a sultry, clandestine feel. The baroque-style alcoves are lit up by gothic candelabra and fitted out with comfy chocolate chesterfields and crimson red chaise lounges for you to sprawl on. I couldn’t help feeling as if I was a voyeur in an erotic movie as I walked by couples and groups hidden away in their respective nooks sipping champagne, nibbling on tapas and getting it on. I imagined this to be the perfect place for midday lovers wanting to find a quiet snogging spot over lunch.
I visited Andaluz with my two Herculean body-builder buddies over in Perth for the first time from Toronto. I had heard rave reviews about the tapas menu and wine list and that on a Friday night after work the place went off. Andaluz was packed and pumping. We managed to grab a red velvet chaise across from a group of ladies on a Hen’s night swapping sex stories and knew it was going to be a fun night.
Service was friendly and smooth, the tapas menu impressive and the cava chilled with the right amount of bubbles. We ordered the crispy skin barramundi with fennel, cabbage and cucumber salad with a pomegranate and anise aioli. We also tried the vine tomato salad with dried olives and goats cheese curd, the seared black angus skirt steak with lime and chimichurri, the chicken and duck liver parfait and the winning dish of the day – manchego and artichoke croquettes with parsley and caper salsa verde. Food at Andaluz is spectacular. It was the kind of taste bud tease that you never want to end. Despite its hefty price tag, having a food experience that blows you away is worth every cracker you spend.
The guys and I were in the mood for a bit of sweetness to nail a home run. We ordered a slice each of the salted chocolate caramels with smoked chilli salt at $3 a pop. The sweetness of the toffee contrasted perfectly with the bitterness of the dark chocolate and the heat of the chilli salt. Unbelievable!
Andaluz is a sexy place that oozes chic and tantalises the tastebuds. When you are lying back in your private hide-away, the busyness of the place adds to the vibe and enhances the feeling of being in a very, secret place. If you are looking for a delicious date place that provides a risqué setting with just the right amount of intrusion then Andaluz is it – during the day time may be even naughtier.
Passion Rating ★★★★★
Food: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★☆
Ambiance: ★★★★ ☆
Overall: ★★★★☆