A Taste of SoCal Opening on the North Shore

Ah, Southern California: probably the most hyped place in America. If you've seen Lords of Dogtown, The OC or Baywatch, then you basically know what it's all about. The term 'SoCal' alone evokes sweet notions of sandy beaches, bronzed blondes and chilled Coronas.

Along with the laidback lifestyle, Cali is famous for its rad food. The proximity to the Mexican border has always given them the upper hand when it comes to authentic Mexican fare. Throw in some regional seafood and American favourites and you've got some pretty 'dank' dishes.

That's exactly how Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts (owners of Bondi Hardware and The Botanist) felt. Having visited the Golden State on a surf trip, these dudes fell in love with the food, drink and atmosphere of the southern coast. Their vision of bringing SoCal to Sydney is coming to life in a new bar and restaurant opening next month.

Named after its muse, SoCal is a retro chic cantina serving up an array of Mexi-Cali specialities, including plenty of tacos, shared plates, mini dogs and good vibes. Going all they way, they're even serving Californian wines, American craft beers and, of course, lots of tequila. Soak all this up on their outdoor terrace and you might as well be in Pacific Beach. In reality, it's Neutral Bay, but you don’t have to acknowledge the difference.

SoCal is opening at 1 Young Street, Neutral Bay in late November.