Darlinghurst is now home to The Velvet Glove, a luxe new restaurant and bar that promises opulence in abundance. Tucked away down a Kings Cross laneway, the venue is aiming to redefine hospitality in Sydney and boasts no tipping, no seating times and a focus on top-notch service, above all else. Think private club vibes but without all the snobbery. With a fit-out inspired by famous artists, you can expect the walls to don pieces by Van Gogh, Da Vinci and Monet, to name a few. Apart from the chic dining room, the expansive venue includes a garden terrace, cocktail bar, private dining space and even art-themed toilets – each a classic painting motif, of course. There's The Birth of Venus and Judith and the Head of Holofernes loos to look forward to, among others. The Velvet Glove is helmed by Hayley Gooley, a hospo vet who previously operated the chalets and dining spaces at the Snowy Mountain's Perisher Ski Resort. "After years in hospitality, I wanted to create something truly special. Every detail, from the Italian-sourced marble to the handcrafted bar stools from Greece, has been meticulously chosen over four years with the expertise of design consultant Belinda Cendron," says Gooley. The menu at The Velvet Glove is all about sophistication and is marked by a French flare. Think medium rare Black Angus steaks, duck à l'orange and seared foie gras with poached strawberries, barrel-aged balsamic and micro shiso leaf. The cocktail bar is a more casual affair, with porcini and truffle arancini and tuna sashimi with finger lime pearls on the menu. Curated wine and cocktail lists round out the venue's offering, with a focus on Australian and European bottles and cocktails topped with the likes of absinthe and gold leaf. A few signatures to keep an eye out for include the whisky-based Iron Fist with mandarin liqueur and the Silk Stocking, a concoction of Belvedere vodka, quince liqueur and spiced blood orange. The Velvet Glove is now open at 13 Kirketon Road, Darlinghurst. For more information and bookings, visit the website.