It seemed that nothing wanted to go right on Thursday: a broken-down car, a cancelled friend date, and a potentially cancelled Christmas... It was just one thing after the other. But, I had a table booked at the terrace bar at Le Noir Café and I decided that I had earned a drink or two, even if I was on my own.

The terrace bar: The new upstairs terrace space has only been open for a couple of weeks, so I actually had the whole place to myself. It’s small, space enough for 2 high tops and a few comfortable lounge tables, but it’s lovely - amongst the palm trees, a chilly breeze, and pretty lights. There is a small bar upstairs that is dedicated only to the upstairs terrace which offers a private space but not too secluded, overlooking the restaurant below. They cater to private parties, groups and events and it’s a great spot for such kind of evenings – your own little private bar!

The drinks: The drinks menu is rather extensive – from Le Noir signature cocktails to bar classics as well as a wine, beer, and spirits menu. It was a cocktail kinda night so I started with the Pas Senorita, a tequila-based drink with a sweet tropical passion fruit liquor and a twist of sour flavours and grind of ginger. The added touch of the charcoal rim and the passion fruit on top topped this drink off beautifully. The Lost in Translation and Berry Bloom both had similar berry notes but were very different drinks: lost in translation was deeper, more floral with a thick, creamy foam with a sprig rosemary (it felt quite Christmassy, actually!) and the berry bloom was lighter, more fresh and fruity. I also ordered one of my favourite drinks from their mimosa menu – the whining rose. So light and refreshing! Made with almond milk, the Lenoirtini, a twist on an espresso martini, was more rich and milky – finishing off my meal with a sweet touch.

The food: The food menu upstairs is limited but offers good options to just snack on while enjoying a drink. Loaded cheesy nachos with a delicious bean mix, guac and a sweet tomato salsa, crispy fried chicken sliders with coleslaw in seeded buns and fries (beef option available), sticky sweet barbeque wings, deep fried crumbed shrimp with garlic aioli and chicken tenders with a spicy siracha mayo. A cheese platter with cold cuts was also available and could be a great option for enjoying a glass of wine.

This new space adds an extra layer to Le Noir's already fabulous offerings. You can now really enjoy Le Noir from morning to night.

To book a table or for events, call 02 448 4859.

Natalie Christodoulides