Named after the large tree in the centre of the bar, The Heartwood Bar — which opened this week — offers a more casual food menu than the main restaurant along with cocktails, beers and wines in a fully-enclosable marquee.

Open for lunch every day and from 5.30pm until late, the bar is in the Dural restaurant’s garden and has small grey tables surrounded by bright white chairs mixed with large grey lounge chairs to relax into.

Friday and Saturday evenings will feature jazz music, while free parking on site is another bonus for locals. From salads to burgers and snacks and platters, The Heartwood offers guests a place to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés before heading to the restaurant, as well as a lively space to meet friends for cocktails and share plates.

The restaurant’s full menu is also available at the bar for an alfreso lunch or dinner. The thyme-roasted smoky mushrooms served with potato mash, asparagus and a cream sauce ($26) was a standout for lunch, while the retro fried camembert cheese served with cranberry sauce on lavosh ($17) is an ideal accompaniment for a cocktail or two.

The lengthy drinks list includes a range of spirits, along with local and international wines and beers and of course cocktails.

The classics are all here, from the $15 Aperol Spritz to the $14 Chambord Bellini.

Diners can also order from the restaurant’s full cocktail list, which includes the Rosewater Cointreau Fizz, and the sweet Moscato Mojito.