Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD

Rosetta Sydney does Negroni Week: Top 6 cocktails to try

The Cut Bar & Grill - Smoked Negroni

Rosetta in Sydney is stepping up to the plate this Negroni Week, 24-30 June, by pumping out six new creative variations of the quality beverage. They’ve taken the classic Negroni to the next level, each putting their own unique spin on the famous Italian cocktail for Negroni Week and will donate – along with every other Rockpool restaurant – $1 from every Negroni sold during the annual fundraising event to OzHarvest, which diverts waste food from the hospitality industry to people in need. Rosetta’s Negronis – available for $15 each or the fantastic Happy Hour price of $10 from 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday – are these and they look good! Negroni: Campari, Cinzano Rosso, Bulldog London Dry Gin. Boulevardier: Russell’s Reserve 10-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Cinzano Rosso, Campari Rosita: Espolon Tequila Reposado, Cinzano Rosso, Cinzano Extra Dry, Campari Rum Negroni: Campari, Cinzano Rosso, Appleton Estate Signature Blend Jamaica Rum Negroni Sour: Negroni pre-batch, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup Rosetta: Glen Grant 10-year-old Scotch Whisky, Campari, Cinzano Bianco, grapefruit soda Rosetta will also host a Negroni masterclass on Wednesday, 12 June at 6pm to demonstrate the tricks of the perfect Negroni, including two cocktails and bar snacks. ($25pp)

Take your dog to brunch: Good Times Milk Bar is the dog friendly cafe you need

Good Times 2

Down a quiet street in Bentleigh in Melbourne’s southeast sits a corner cafe like few others. Good Times Milkbar is tutti-frutti in colour scheme, positively massive inside, pumps out some of the coolest staple and trendy menu items we’ve seen from any cafe in a while and – and this is the best part – it comes complete with its own dog-friendly courtyard! ? For Easter, they’re indulgent, for dogs they’re welcoming and for the regular weekday humdrum, they’re easy, convenient and welcoming. The menu at Good Times is always changing, but think staple bits like avocado toast, of course, dippy eggs – good for kids of adults – chilli eggs served kind of like a burrito with a tortilla and a pastrami benedict, for those who’re more bougie than bacon. While they do cater for kids with a cute separate menu made up of pancakes, milkshakes and cheesymite soldiers, they don’t have a dog menu. Just give them your leftovers and they’re happy, anyway! Find Good Times Milkbar at 83 Tucker Road, Bentleigh VIC.

The Glebe Hotel has been redone – and it’s damn nice

Glebe Hotel in Ultimo

Unassuming and pokey from the outside; warm, cosy and inviting on the inside: The Glebe Hotel in Sydney has an atmosphere all its own that has locals going nuts for it once again. And it’s easy to see why. Over the last seven months, the hotel has undergone a massive reno, turning it from the regular local it used to be into something worth a dedicated trip for. Since 1862, the Glebe Hotel has had many names and been many things to many locals and visitors, having served labourers from the surrounding wharves in its earlier days and more contemporary fine foodie hunters lately. It’s still a family owned establishment that has maintained its traditional features, full of quirk, character and charm. A clever re-design breathes new life into the venue whilst remaining reminiscent of its ancestral past. The bulk of its main dining room is reformed stables for example, which includes a mezzanine loft (originally the hotel stables). It’s a beautiful, light and airy dining space with exposed brickwork, wooden tables and bar that have been lovingly revived with the addition of a bespoke jacaranda mural by Sydney artist, Indigo Jo. Adjacent to the restaurant is a leafy and sunny courtyard featuring a majestic centenary fig tree, wooden bunketts and high tables, where dogs are also welcome. But it’s the food that sets the pub apart from regular ones. Its menu’s been created by head chef Ben Allcock and focuses on gastro-pub fare with sophisticated dishes and comforting favourites using fresh seasonal produce. Think… Read More

Dinners for VIVID Sydney: Experience dining in the dark at 12 Micron Barangaroo

12 Micron VIVID Sydney

VIVID Sydney, the festival of light is back on again in 2019 and joining the long list of venues around town that’re celebrating is 12 Micron in Barangaroo. Perrier Jouet champagne are heading in to the swanky 12 Micron to deliver an immersive and multi-sensory art and culinary experience throughout VIVID festival. The restaurant’s private dining room and bar will be transformed from 24 May to 15 June into a light exhibition and play host to a dining in the dark series to artfully combine gastronomy, music, art and light. It’s all been inspired by the ‘Art of the Wild’ campaign by Perrier Jouet, which re-imagines nature in a vibrant, magnetic and spectacularly vivid way. The menu has been designed by 12-Micron’s Executive Chef Daniel Corbett will use darkness to heighten diner’s senses of taste, smell and sound to play with the flavours of the food and Champagne to deliver an incredibly unique dining experience. Get the experience from 7.30pm every Thursday – Sunday night during VIVID. See more at the 12 Micron website.

Get porked: Pork-A-Palooza at The Morrison is on in Sydney

Pork ribs at The Morrison

Until 23 May, The Morrison in Sydney, right on George Street is your swine-tastic destination for all things pork. And it’s damn good. Joining the long list of food themed events and offering The Morrison puts on every year, Pork-A-Palooza will offer its guests a range of porky delights for even the most averted pork eaters. The menu includes whole suckling pigs – yes, that’s right – and pork hotdogs for as low as $1 each on Tuesdays. A top way to begin any week, Pork-A-Palooza is an obvious homage to the hog, with a menu cooked-up by chef Sean Connolly who dubs the humbel swine “his penicillin”. On top of dogs and whole piggies, also on offer are top noshes like chilled pigs head terrine, oysters Kilpatrick with bacon and crispy pork belly with squid as well as optional sides and salads and such. Not to mention, drinks on offer have all been designed by in-house mixologists and designed a menu of Swiney Swigs – sips with a piggy twist including the Don Melon Ham cocktail made with prosciutto infused Bulleit bourbon and the Orchard Spritz, a fruity concoction of Chambord, blueberry jam, lemon and James Squire Orchard Crush. All drinks will go down well with a handful of pork scratching popcorn, free at the bar with any special drinks purchased. The Morrison will be bringing the pork-loving vibe to Sydney from 23 April to 23 May with Pork-A-Palooza. Pre orders for suckling pigs open from 1 April and the full schedule of swine events is listed on the website.

Japanese Mother’s Day: Where to take Mum on her special day

Japanese food at Sash Sydney

Sash Sydney opened only earlier in 2019, but has already managed to take Japanese food in Surry Hills to a brand new level. Read about what Sash is like, here. And just in case their already popular Sunday sessions weren’t enough of a reason to visit, then what they’ve got going on this Mothers’ Day 2019 is sure to be hollering for a booking. For the special woman in your life, they’re putting on a spread. Spoil Mum with a 7 course modern Japanese banquet designed by their head chef Peter Wu. It’s a menu to be grazed on, consisting of Sash’s already renowned dishes including, hand rolled sushi, inspired tacos and crispy battered delights. Find Sash Restaurant at 80 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills. Mother’s Day bookings are essential.

Coffee all over Sydney: Chambers Fine Coffee does it right

Holding a cup of coffee in front of the trading hours of Chambers Fine Coffee

When you think of Haymarket in Sydney, delicious Chinese dumplings and barbecued Peking duck probably springs to mind. But located on the fringes of bustling Chinatown is some of the most satisfying coffee you’ll find in town – at Chambers Fine Coffee.Who would’ve thought? The queue for takeaway coffee is evidence that this the go-to cafe for locals working or studying in the precinct for their daily dose of caffeine. As the name suggests, Chambers Fine Coffee is committed to brewing a decent hot beverage, which isn’t just limited to coffee, but also includes trending favourites such as organic matcha lattes, turmeric lattes and dirty chai lattes – the perfect belly warmer for those cold autumn days. For the warmer months, Chambers also offers delicious frappes, milkshakes and smoothies. Chambers also offers an all day breakfast menu with old time favourites such as eggs benedict with smoked salmon, accompanied with slices of satisfyingly crunchy toasted sourdough. But then who can go past a finger-licking burger with chips for lunch, which also includes a vegetarian version with grilled haloumi, eggplant, tomato and lettuce? The menu is extensive but not overwhelming (because that’s the last thing you want when you want to sit down to an uncomplicated, casual meal), and guarantees to cater to all cravings at a reasonable price point. Chambers Fine Coffee can be found across six locations in Sydney including Haymarket, Top Ryde, Rhodes, Chatswood, Parramatta and Burwood Plaza.

SYDNEY: Dinners for VIVID – Chroma dinner at Mode Kitchen & Bar, Four Seasons

Mode Kitchen & Bar_Hiramasa kingfish sashimi, sweet & sour onions, macadamia

VIVID Sydney will again take over the city from 24 May to 15 June, so if ever you’ve wanted to eat colour, the time is now. What? Mode Kitchen and Bar on the ground floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney – and under the insanely legendary hand of head chef Francesco Mannelli – is putting on what’s called the Chroma dinner. It’s a sumptuous feast of gastronomic proportions, open to the public, for the entire season for VIVID in Sydney. “Inspired by interesting and extraordinary Australian ingredients I created a unique menu to stimulate guests senses, whilst paying homage to my Italian heritage playing with cooking techniques to create natural vibrant colours and dishes to excite our guests,” said Francesco. It’s a dinner of the celebration of light, colour, sound and sensation created around three dishes and a dessert specifically designed to awaken the senses and take diners on a culinary journey of colour, scent, sound and light. Each dish has been carefully matched to a cocktail or drink by Roderick Boerma, Grain Bar Manager who reigns from Amsterdam and is a true master of fine local produce. Inspired by RGB, these colours have been created to enhance the dining experience as guests enter a world of colour and a sensorial awakening. And if that wasn’t enough, Mode has transformed a space into a white canvas, ready to integrate the very unique BroomX projector that has abilities to create spectacular virtual reality projections who surprise and delight guests, transforming the newly white room into… Read More

MELBOURNE: Winter got sweeter with the igloo garden at Auburn Hotel, Hawthorn

Auburn Hotel igloo

Date night, work dinner, need a drink, or just ‘cos, the Winter Igloo Garden at the Auburn Hotel in Hawthorn is there for it – and doing it well. Caged, steel igloos fill the back courtyard of the colonial days hotel along Auburn Road, adding a haunting, but super cute arrangement to the otherwise incredibly ornate 100+ year-old hotel. It’s a trendy take on traditional outdoor dining, giving guests shelter from the cold of winter, while keeping warm by sucking back Wild Turkey‘s American Honey bourbon. A sweet treat as well as an alcoholic smack in the gob you know you want, the American Honey bottle isn’t often seen, but ticks all the boxes of what you’re after from a drink in the middle of winter. It’s warming (‘cos bourbon), but sweetened in a dangerously morish way, thanks to the honey. The Wild Turkey folks and the Auburn Hotel have even partnered with the good, bee-loving people at Melbourne City Rooftop Honey to pair with their American Honey hot toddy, espresso martini, honey julep, old fashioned – the list goes on. Igloo packages cater to those looking for something cosy and intimate in a communal dining space, with larger group sizes of up to 28 people able to enjoy private seating and cocktail events in the mega igloo. The menu, inspired by the smooth, sweet flavour of American Honey, includes a selection of cured meats and cheeses drizzled in honey, followed with dessert, a chocolate honeycomb fondue. All designed to be paired with American Honey… Read More

Luke & Friends: Luke Mangan and David Rayner’s new menu at Glass Brasserie

Luke Mangan David Rayner Glass Brasserie 1

What do you get when two prominent Aussie chefs who are passionate about seasonal, quality local produce join forces to create an Autumnal menu? An inspiring and memorable dining experience – and in one of Sydney’s most vibrant and lively venues, no less. This is exactly what renowned chefs Luke Mangan and David Rayner have created at Mangan’s signature restaurant, glass brasserie in Sydney. This is the third iteration of ‘Luke & Friends’, with Mangan collaborating with Noosa-based chef Rayner, owner and head chef of Thomas Corner eatery in Noosaville. Previous ‘Luke & Friends’ collaborations include celebrity chefs Guy Grossi and Maggie Beer. Mangan and Rayner’s friendship goes back a long way. They both share a passion for using seasonal, quality local and regional produce, celebrating the natural flavours of their chosen ingredients. And their passion for showcasing outstanding local produce shines through in the three impressive seafood dishes which are part of this exclusive offering, including a salmon ceviche, avocado, finger lime, pomegranate and shiso; a cuttlefish linguette, chilli, tomato, shallots, garlic, creme fraiche and oregano; and BBQ East coast baby octopus, caponata and black garlic. Refreshing and bursting with flavour, each dish tells a story about the beautiful and carefully sourced produce from around New South Wales. To round off the perfect meal, you can’t go past Luke’s Signature Liquorice Parfait with apple and lime, which is celebrating 25 years of pure deliciousness. Even non-liquorice lovers have been known to turn after sampling this exquisite sphere of explosive and clever flavours. The BBQ… Read More