Category: SYDNEY

Chef of the month is Danielle Alvarez in Sydney

Danielle Alvarez Spicy Tuna Melt Toastie 2

Danielle Alvarez is one of Australia’s most celebrated female chefs who has gained her passion for farm-to-table cooking from an impeccable pedigree of restaurants both in the US and Australia. With her time as the creative visionary behind Fred’s in Paddington, Danielle’s cooking style and produce-driven ethos were the cornerstones of the restaurant’s success. Today, she brings her culinary brilliance to the Yallamundi Rooms at the Sydney Opera House as the culinary director. A long-standing friend of the social enterprise Two Good, Danielle has contributed to their latest cookbook, Change the Course, and has recently designed the menu for the latest LOAM x Two Good Chef Dinner Series event. Through the Chef of the Month (COTM) program, Two Good partners with top chefs to create delicious menus served at their cafe in Darlinghurst’s Yirranma Place. These meals are also available for purchase through their catering service, with all proceeds supporting at-risk women affected by domestic violence, homelessness, and trauma, helping them find employment. Danielle’s menu for Two Good includes an enticing selection: the Spicy Tuna Melt Toastie ($16), Pumpkin, Curry Leaf & Coconut Soup with Roti ($14), and Brown Butter, Macadamia & White Chocolate Blondies ($6.50). The June COTM menu by Danielle Alvarez is now available at Two Good’s cafe located at 262 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, or online at Two Good Catering. Through her remarkable contributions, Danielle Alvarez continues to inspire not just by her culinary expertise but also by her unwavering commitment to social good, making a tangible difference in the lives of many.

A taste of Venezuela: celebrating World Rum Day with Diplomático and Morena

Morena x Diplomatico Mark Sherborne Photography Menu 2

In celebration of World Rum Day this month, the premium rum connoisseurs at Diplomático have collaborated with the culinary masters behind Sydney’s newest Latin American dining experience, Morena, to launch an exclusive ‘A Taste of Venezuela’ menu. Created as an homage to Diplomático rum’s heritage and aptly aligned to Maestro Ronero (Rum Master) Nelson Hernandez’ inaugural visit down under, ‘A Taste Of Venezuela’ creatively blends authentic, traditional flavours with contemporary cooking techniques. Delivered in Morena’s distinct luxe fashion, the resulting menu provides diners with a unique perspective on modern Venezuelan cuisine, perfectly paired with Diplomático rum’s exceptional range. Exclusively available for one month from Monday 15 July, the four-course menu features nine mouth-watering dishes, including an indulgent MBS 5+ Black Opal wagyu girello drizzled with a jus enhanced with the sweet, fruity vanilla notes of Diplomático rum’s signature Reserva Exclusiva blend. There’s also rum-doused free-range chicken served with hallaquitas – a common Venezuelan holiday dish similar to a tamale – and, to end, a tropical twist on a classic Latin American flan that pairs coconut flavours with a rum-infused burnt caramel sauce. To complement the dishes, Morena’s expert mixology team have also crafted a duo of delicious Diplomático rum cocktails to top and tail the ‘Taste of Venezuela’ experience. The aperitif-style Joropo Encantando features a refreshing blend of Diplomático Planas white rum, fermented pineapple tepache, cumin-spiced demerara sugar and sherry. Meanwhile, the aromatic Aurora Express is designed to end a meal on an elegant note, combining Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva rum with Morena’s in-house coffee, warm… Read More

Bistro Red Lion in Sydney gets a new vibe

Sydney red lion food table

The historic Red Lion pub in Sydney’s Inner West is set to unveil an exciting addition this July – a brand-new bistro developed in collaboration with renowned celebrity chef Manu Feildel. Bistro Red Lion by Manu will occupy the upper level of the iconic Rozelle pub when it opens on Friday 12 July, and marks the French-Australian chef’s return to a restaurant kitchen for the first time in four years. The residency also heralds a significant milestone for the 196-year-old pub, ushering in a fresh chapter post an extensive eight-month renovation across the upstairs Bistro and downstairs pub, overseen by owners Laundy Hotels (notable for Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Woolly Bay Hotel, and Woolwich Pier Hotel), amounting to a $1.5 million investment. Operating from Thursday through Sunday, the bistro will be helmed by Manu and Laundy Hotels’ Group Executive Chef, Jamie Gannon. The launch of Bistro Red Lion by Manu brings together the celebrated chef with his long-time friend, Jamie Gannon, who has served as Laundy Hotel’s Group Executive Chef for eight years. With a friendship spanning over a decade, they collaborated on developing the bistro-style concept, introducing Manu’s flair to Sydney diners. Manu, a sixth-generation chef with a string of accolades under his belt, has curated a menu that embodies his passion for great food. At Bistro Red Lion by Manu, the menu features beloved recipes from Manu’s family archives, such as his father’s French country-style pâté served with prune and Armagnac jam and toasted sourdough. Starting with amuse-bouche snacks, options include Nambucca oysters… Read More

Send your kids up Sydney Harbour Bridge these school holidays

Sydney Harbour Bridge sun city

To celebrate the winter school holidays, you can score free tickets to climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge by participating in a scavenger hunt for hidden envelopes around The Rocks. Channel your inner Sherlock Holmes as you search for someone in a BridgeClimb suit holding one of five envelopes scattered across various locations in The Rocks. There are five major prizes to be won, with each envelope containing a prize letter that allows the finder to book a BridgeClimb experience for free. The major prizes include: Tune into BridgeClimb’s social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) at 11.00 am on Saturday morning (July 6) for clues to the locations of the hidden notes. The scavenger hunt will be available for a limited time on a first in, best dressed basis. For those who miss out on a major prize, there will be 5 minor prizes up for grabs at each location. BridgeClimb offers fantastic school holiday savings for the entire family. Enjoy up to $150 off with BridgeClimb’s Family Bundle special offer when you climb with your kids (8 years or older) on a Summit or Summit Insider Day Climb experience. To make your family day out even more unforgettable, BridgeClimb has created the ultimate games room filled with classic arcade games, available for all climbers throughout July during opening hours, with prizes to be won. Enjoy favourites such as pinball, air hockey, giant Connect 4, basketball, and more. For more information on the school holiday special offers at BridgeClimb and to book, visit: www.bridgeclimb.com/climbs-prices/whats-on/school-holiday-special-offer.

A rare Puccini opera production of Il Trittico in Sydney

Puccini il Trittico

Opera Australia is poised to make operatic history next month with the world premiere of a groundbreaking new production of Puccini’s renowned but seldom performed trilogy, Il Trittico. This remarkable staging, commissioned by OA’s Artistic Director Jo Davies, will feature three of Australia’s most promising young directors – Constantine Costi, Imara Savage, and Shaun Rennie – each bringing their unique vision to one of the operas in the triptych. Il Trittico, a powerful collection of one-act verismo operas, offers a diverse experience that ranges from heart-wrenching tragedy to uproarious comedy, all within a single evening. This event marks the first occasion globally where a main stage production of Il Trittico is crafted by three individual directors, underlining the inventive spirit of this production. “We are incredibly excited to have these three extraordinary Australian directors animating Puccini’s magnum opus,” said Ms Davies. “This production tackles significant themes with resonant contemporary relevance, from the deep sorrow of losing a loved one to the intricacies of familial and financial entanglements. The genius of Puccini’s storytelling remains as poignant today as it was a century ago, reflecting our enduring human experiences and inspiring audiences to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and hope.” Constantine Costi will helm Il tabarro, a tale of tense love set on a gritty barge, brought to life by Australian baritone Simon Meadows, soprano Olivia Cranwell, and tenor Viktor Antipenko in his Australian debut. Imara Savage directs the melancholic Suor Angelica, featuring soprano Lauren Fagan as the grieving nun in a convent garden, with OA chorister… Read More