Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD

Sydney: Bar Totti’s open – and why you should care

Totti 4

The ivy in Sydney has a new housemate: Bar Totti. It’s walk in only, the relative to the Bondi version and front-and-centre in the ivy complex right in the middle of the city, giving visitors all the alcohol-fuelled, foodie haven-ness that’s synonymous with the Merivale movement. It’s fun, high-energy and ready for a party, putting chefs Mike Eggert and Jake Ahrens (Ash St. Cellar, Uccello) behind the pans to serve-up the simple and delicious food Totti’s is renowned for. With a menu built on wood-fired bread, house-made antipasti and snacks, it’s a simple offering to line the stomach before visiting any of the the ivy’s other venues well into the night. The antipasti list is touting about 20 options, like sardines, anchovies, octopus, scallop crudo, prosciutto, ‘nduja, burrata, baked tomino and marinated peppers. Snacks are ‘alla griglia’ (grilled), like king prawns, chili and fennel, halloumi, oregano and lemon, chicken wings, honey and rosemary, and grilled garfish lemon and bay leaf. The drinks? Simple. The desserts? On the menu. The atmosphere? Worth it. For a visit, go to ivy, Shop 4/330 George Street.

Sydney: Coogee Pavillion's middle level is now open!

Coogee Pavillion middle floor Mimis 1

It’s about time! For as long as any coastie’s conscionable memory extends, the middle level at the Merivale Coogee Pavillion’s been shut. But, no more! Complete with three venues – restaurant mimi’s, cocktail bar will’s and wine and tapas bar Una Más – it’s a new addition to the coastside haunt that’s slammed every weekend. More space, more on offer, more reasons to go, the ‘Pav”s new places to eat and drink are guided by the cooking philosophy of executive chef Jordan Toft (Bert’s, Bar Topa) – a simple, yet special style of dining sparked by a Mediterranean heart, through an Australian lens. New feeds on offer span the likes of warmed Queensland scallop, chicken wing murri and summer fennel, barbequed black lip abalone skewer, pancetta, bay and yeasted puff pastry arlettes, warm d’affinois. Coogee Pavilion’s middle floor has been five years in the making and is the product of an inspiring collaboration between Toft, Justin Hemmes and Merivale’s design team (Bettina Hemmes, Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker of ACME, and stylist Amanda Talbot). To see more of the menu, make a booking, go to the Coogee Pavillion’s website. To see more, scroll down.

Q Dining dishes out top notch seasonal fare atop Sydney’s Circular Quay

Q Dining Sydney

Hotel restaurants are having a moment. No longer relegated to being a last resort for hotel guests, they’ve become dining institutions in their own right, for guests and locals alike. Such is the case with Q Dining. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand, Q Dining occupies a prime spot on Circular Quay, with floor to ceiling windows showcasing its enviable harbour view. Q Dining offers a regularly changing menu, showcasing Australia’s best seasonal produce and locally sourced meat and seafood. The a la carte menu features tried and tested staples with a distinctly Australian twist; pork sourced from Byron Bay is accented with saltbush, whilst poached cod is seasoned with coastal herbs. Sides consist of classic staples like butter bean salad, mash, baked cauliflower, and shoestring fries. Vegetarians are also catered for here, with a sublime lemon thyme risotto with strong notes of parmesan, or spicy linguine with roasted red pepper and herbs among the dishes that can be served meatless. Dessert isn’t an afterthought at Q Dining, with innovative dishes like a white chocolate yogurt crémeux served with mandarin sorbet and pistachio, or a classic yet well executed buttermilk panna cotta providing a sweet end to a delicious meal. The beverage list is thorough, featuring wines from around the world, as well as a concise cocktail list. Its clean, modern aesthetic also cements Q Dining as a fine dining one to watch. Featuring high ceilings, metallic pendant lights, and a subtle blue and wood colour scheme which blends perfectly with the harbour view outside,… Read More

The Australian Ballet does dessert: Aria Sydney celebrates the Sylvia production

Aria dessert

It was back in June that Aria Sydney celebrated a production at the Sydney Opera House. Read about that here. And now, the restaurant’s doing it again but this time, in celebration of Sylvia by the Australian Ballet. The production by The Australian Ballet will be on at the Sydney Opera House from 8 – 23 November and much like the production: a writhing tale of passion and humour entangled with love and sword fighting, the dessert tells a similar tale. Designed by Executive Chef, Joel Bickford, this exclusive pre and post theatre dessert is a delicate mix of natural elements and bold flavours that pairs sweet juicy strawberries with crisp shiso and bursting black grapes.  The new dessert is obviously a limited run, and can be enjoyed as part of Aria’s pre and post theatre menu until the show concludes on Saturday 23 November.  

Why you need to go to Elephant Bar and Dining at Paddington’s Royal Hotel

Elephant Bar food

Nestled in the heart of Paddington, the Royal Hotel underwent a transformation last month, with all four levels now providing a unique offering. The local closed for a mere four days, from September 8th to 11th, reopening on the 12th with new interiors and an updated menu across the entire pub. The genesis of the relaunch was the desire to redesign the Elephant Bar. The relaunched Elephant Bar and Dining, which now spans across levels one and two. The space is light and airy, with botanical touches littered about the first two levels, complementing the marble bar tops and straw chairs and tables. Elephant Bar and Dining consists of a restaurant, cocktail lounge, and two event rooms. Whilst all the spaces are united aesthetically, each space has a unique look; from the forestry patterns adorning The High Room, to the nautical theme of the private Colonial Club. Created by the Royal Hotel’s ex-bar manager Kurtis Bosley, the drinks menu is geared towards the warmer weather. The cocktail range is experimental yet approachable, with well-blended flavour palettes. A standout is the 5 Ways Sling, a delicately fruity combination of pomegranate liqueur, strawberry infused gin, lime, rhubarb bitters and whites. The Mediterranian style menu is made for sharing; kick off your coastal culinary exploration with the South Australian Sardines and Western Australian Octopus, try a classic Mediterranean salad, before feasting on Spring Bay Mussels Marinara or White Wine, Pan Fried Pumpkin and Ricotta Gnocchi, or Chili Spanner Crab Linguini. For those who enjoy more traditional pub fare,… Read More

Acre Eatery is one of the inner west’s best kept secrets

Breakfast at Acre Eatery

The Acre Eatery in Sydney is probably one of the inner west’s best kept secrets. A stunning farm-to-table establishment located in Camperdown Commons, this venue now stands where the Camperdown Bowling and Recreation Club once existed. The beautiful thing is that this farm-like eatery is now a community hub for locals to gather and feast. What could have been developed into another block of bland high rises, is now a feel-good urban farm in the city. The establishment is located within Camperdown Commons, which is also home to not-for-profit organisation Pocket City Farms. Pocket City Farms take neglected spaces in Sydney and turn them into sustainable, urban farms. The venue boasts three areas to dine in – a sunny garden terrace, a takeaway section (known as the ‘Container’) and an impressive, country-style dining room that is fit for a wedding. And yes, Acre Eatery does cater for such events. The funky Spritz Bar is located on the Garden Terrace and is a great space to sit around with friends and share a meal over a few drinks. Breakfast is served in the Garden Terrace five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday and is the perfect location for a relaxing weekend breakfast, overlooking the community garden.  Breakfasts don’t get any heartier than the ‘Country Breakfast’, which includes homemade pasture-raised pork sausage, butter mushrooms, bacon, grilled tomato, free-range poached egg, toast and pickles. For something a little naughtier, you may want to consider the spelt flour ricotta hotcakes with macerated berries, maple butter and caramelised banana…. Read More

Glebe favourite The Toxteth pub gets an upmarket refresh

Toxteth dining room

Occupying a prime position on the corner of Glebe Point Road and Ferry Road for almost a century, The Toxteth recently underwent an update. Glebe’s beloved local has long been the pub of choice for catching up with friends and family over drinks and good food with live music. In late 2018, The Toxteth, or The Tocky as it’s known by locals, was given a makeover. Retaining its rustic exposed brick walls, The Tocky has been fitted out with plush leather banquettes, leather paneling on the bar, copper fixtures, and timber finishes, all set around a soft neutral olive colour palette. The courtyard now features a retractable roof, making it a viable dining option regardless of the season. To accompany the new decor, the food and beverage menu has also undergone a new look. The Tocky’s classic rump steak and chicken schnitzel remain, however they’re now joined by new plant-based options. The vegetarian and vegan fare ranges from delightfully crispy popcorn cauliflower and Italian-inspired mushroom arancini to kelp noodle salad with salt and pepper tofu or a variety of hot bowls. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, join ‘Sienna’s Brunch Club’, a bottomless Bellini brunch. For the first time, The Toxteth is serving cocktails and mocktails. The Gins and Roses is a beautifully balanced floral option, while the Espresso Martini on tap from the Lexington Hill Collection is sure to be a millennial favourite. The range of cocktail carafes provide the perfect accompaniment to a sunny afternoon with friends, and the lychee and passion fruit… Read More

Williams Burger Days: a new elevated burger concept in Sydney’s CBD

Williams Burger 3

The team behind Grill’d takes another bite out of the burger market with Williams Burger Days, a premium concept burger restaurant. Williams is like a distant cousin to Grill’d; whilst the later has over 130 outlets across Australia, Williams presents an elevated alternative far withdrawn from the notion of burgers as a ‘fast food’ concept. Williams Burger Days opened in Westfield Sydney in September, with plans to open a Melbourne outlet in the coming months. The brainchild of former Vue de Monde and Circa chef Josh Powell, the Williams menu features a range of house-made burgers, salads, elevated sides, sodas, and shakes, as well as a concise cocktail, beer, and wine list. Williams keeps with current culinary trends, utilising native Australian ingredients throughout the menu; for the signature Williams sauce, Williams uses karkalla pickles which provide a tangy, salty hit. The burgers themselves are next-level; fresh herbs like dill, mint, and coriander provide a flavour hit to the vegetarian burgers. The Mushroom & Parmesan burger is a particular standout, with the sharpness of the parmesan cheese perfectly complementing the mild creaminess of the mushroom. Meanwhile, care is taken to source high quality meat and seafood, using producers such as O’Connor beef, Mayura Station Full Blood Wagyu, Summertime chicken and Fish Butchery’s yellowfin tuna. The sides menu vastly differs from that of traditional burger joint offerings. In lieu of the traditional ketchup and fries, Williams features crispy charred broccoli served with airy whipped feta, skin on chips, onion rings seasoned with saltbush and vinegar, seasonal green… Read More

The country’s sweetest event – the ‘Cake Bake & Sweets Show’ is back in town

Sweets show

Are you that person that effortlessly bakes delicious slices and takes them to work to share with colleagues just because you love baking or the family member everyone turns to when they need a standout birthday cake? Then you’re going to want to head to The Cake Bake & Sweets Show for further baking inspo, as it’s back in town! And this year at the same venue, you’ll also be able to experience an exciting new foodie event that will appeal to the home cook – For The Love of Cooking.  But first of all, let’s talk sweeties! From cakes, decorating, sugar craft, sweets and everything in between, The Cake Bake & Sweets Show is back in Sydney at ICC Darling Harbour from Friday, 8 November – Sunday, 10 November. Melbourne, don’t fret! You too, will have the opportunity to experience the sweet smell emanating from the The Cake Bake & Sweets Show at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from Friday, 29 November – Sunday, 1 December.  Experience demonstrations by some of Australia’s best dessert and sweet creators including, Queen of Chocolate Kirsten Tibballs; award-winning pastry chef Anna Polyviou; and cake creative Katherine Sabbath. At the time of writing, the super popular ‘Queen Make & Take’ classes were sold out at the Sydney show, however if you’re planning to head to the Melbourne show, make sure you get in early.  You may also want to upskill your cake decorating and fondant moulding skills by taking part in one of the many workshops on offer,… Read More

2019 Melbourne Cup hotspots at The Star Sydney

Melbourne Cup at Sokyo

Where else would you want to be for Melbourne Cup 2019, but surrounded by fabulous food, friends, fashion and bubbles. With various venues at The Star Sydney putting on a Melbourne Cup experience to remember, there is something to suit everyone’s taste and budget. ChukkaIf Chinese with a Japanese twist is what you’re looking for on Cup Day, book yourself and your friends into Chuuka for lunch with a spectacular view of the harbour. Headed up by Victor Liong and Chase Kojima, Chuuka is offering a 5-course share menu for $165 per person (minimum 2 people) which includes two hours of Moët & Chandon. If you prefer just a glass on arrival (because some of us do have to go back to work after the race, unfortunately), there is also a $135 package which includes the 5-course share menu. Dishes include sashimi platter with scampi, uni and oyster; wagyu wok-fried, green chilli with garlic stems and coriander; and purple yam ice cream with blueberry and kuromitsu pearl. Flying FishOverlooking Pyrmont Harbour is Flying Fish, with Executive Chef Peter Roberston serving up some of Sydney’s finest seafood accompanied with Moët & Chandon on Melbourne Cup Day. The premium package is $165 per person which includes a 3-course set menu and two hours of Moët & Chandon. For $135, you receive a glass of Moët & Chandon on arrival and a 3-course set menu. Dishes include Australia’s Oyster Coast (AOC) oysters with ginger and turmeric dressing; roast duck, confit leg, pistachio and preserved cherry; and passion fruit… Read More