Category: FOOD & DRINK

Best dishes to try this Sydney Night Noodle Market 2022

Noodle market people crowd dinner food

The Sydney Night Noodle Markets are back! Yeah, they were put on hold, like everything, but back with a bang this year, the Markets will be bigger than ever. Kicking off from Tuesday 4 to Sunday 9 October, it’ll host a whole heap of new and old Australian foodie institutions – read more about them all here – as well as some of the most delicious morsels to get in your gob this season. Here’s a round-up of must-try dishes: Truffle Basque Cheesecake by 15Centimeters. Their signature Burnt Basque Cheescake blended decadently with earthy, aromatic black truffles. It is effortlessly indulgent (and smells like heaven!) The Original Mie Goreng Donut from Donut Papi. Donut meets noodles – need we say more? THE Viral donuts using the beloved Indomie mie goreng noodles cooked and shaped like a donut.  Pork belly skewers in banana ketchup glaze, by Hoy Pinoy. Head straight for the smokey BBQ scent filling the air and don’t look back!  Crispy Calamari on a stick by Calabang with your choice of sauce. Our pick is the Tom Yum – trust us! Toastie Smith’s Kimi Porky – Fluffy Scrambled Kimchi Egg, stir fry kimchi & pork belly, oak lettuce, sesame, mayo & roasted sesame flavoured slaw. What could possibly go wrong? The Milo Fry Club by Gelato Messina – Deep fried milo gelato, messinatella pudding and oreo crumble topped with warm messinatella. All the crunchy, gooey goodness you need to top off a perfect night of feasting. 

Inside Gildas, Lennox Hastie’s new Surry Hills wine bar

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Lennox Hastie of Firedoor fame has opened a new venture in Surry Hills that’s sure to become a fast favourite. Why? Besides his stellar reputation on the foodie scene, Gildas is simply the perfect neighbourhood wine bar, Inspired by Hastie’s time in the Basque region of Spain, Gildas brings a touch of elegance to the concept of pintxos (meaning snacks in Spanish) with an elevated menu featuring small dishes that pay homage to the ingredients of the original pintxo; a guindilla pepper, an olive, and an anchovy. You’ll find plenty of locally sourced ingredients on the menu too as is Hastie’s ethos of finding the best a region has to offer. A standout is the pintxo Matilda, featuring finger lime and delicately sliced kangaroo. Offering seasonal produce, the menu will be ever changing, but trust that a staple will be the world renowned hams of Spain. The jamon Iberico melts in your mouth! Of course pintxos aren’t just about the food, the Basque tradition is also about locals gathering to tell stories and enjoy a drink, and suffice to say the wine and sherry selections have a lot to say. With over 10 sherrys to choose from, you can spend your evening tasting just those and pair them with dishes containing sherry notes and flavours. If you’d prefer to try it all however, the wine menu is a Spanish wine lovers dream. Featuring varieties less common in Australia, it’s a feast for the tastebuds with a knowledgeable sommelier on staff to guide you through, and… Read More

Four Somme are reinventing how wine clubs work

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Wine clubs have gotten a stale reputation over the years. The same old bulk delivery from a winery you visited on a romantic weekend away 5 years ago and you can’t quite figure out how to cancel, is long gone thanks to Four Somme. Four Somme are the self professed World’s First Wine Club designed just for Millennials.  According to a study by Wine Intelligence, millennials were the major driver in wine consumption during the pandemic. What differentiates millennials from the older generations is that they are looking more for variety and experiences and less moved by low prices and familiar brands, meaning that they are a bit more adventurous with what wines they want to try. Four Somme’s wine club is of course open to every generation, as they deliver the perfect experimental pack to discover new wines that suit the members’ unique preferences. The concept is super simple: Sign up on foursomme.com and you will receive your Preview Pack with 4 x 187ml red or white wines (your choice) Taste the wines in the Preview Pack with your friends, following along with the online sommelier guide and choose your favourites in the virtual tasting platform. Think cold climate reds from Australia’s best regions, and there’s always a mystery region included to keep even the most avid wine drinkers on their toes. Once you’ve chosen your favourites (could be all of them!), your customised wine selection of 8 x 750ml bottles will be sent to you for $170 (40% cheaper than cellar door pricing…. Read More

New cocktail bar in Sydney: Alice has fallen down the rabbithole

Pink cocktail

Fittingly in the basement of the heritage-listed, former bond stores at 16 Argyle Street Sydney, the elegant cocktail bar is the newest addition to the city’s premium restaurants and bars. Enter via an ambient stairwell, the descent lined with rich velvet drapes, as smooth, lounge-bar beats drift up to street level. Downstairs, jewel-coloured, fabric-covered booths, banquettes, and bar-side seating create an elegant space for 65 guests, plus an intimate, 10-person, semi-private space that can be dramatically curtained off. Plum and burnt-amber accents, touches of gold, velvet and other soft fabrics and ostrich-feather lights create a world of adult-only decadence. Channelling vintage glamour, Alice delivers an advanced cocktail program, elevated bar menu and exemplary service culture. The approach to drinks making is serious and advanced yet sprinkled with fun. Expect clever twists on classics all in an indulgent warm, fanciful, flirtatious and feminine cocktail bar. Date night, anyone? Find more about Alice

Mirabeau Rosé gin-inspired cocktails to help kick off spring

Mirabeau gin

Maison Mirabeau had its beginnings in the rosé wine space in 2011, with the launch of the company’s first Mirabeau Classic wine. The following year, it made its mark in the USA, Canada, Holland and Germany and Mirabeau Classic was rated by UK wine critics as a top 3 rosé from Provence in France.  Fast forward to 2022 and Stephen Cronk, founder of Mirabeau explains how Mirabeau added gin to their repertoire.  “We’ve always been big gin fans. My wife and I were gin drinkers back home in the UK. A friend of ours, who was trained as a sommelier, living in Provence – which is the home of perfume – kept saying to us, we should make gin. I didn’t know how to make that leap from winemaking to gin-making, but then we discovered all the grape skins that we had pressed through our wine were being used to make a neutral grape spirit.”  From here, Stephen and his wife Jeany went on to develop a gin using grape spirit as a base with botanicals from the Riviera. What makes this gin stand out from the rest?  Unlike others in the growing pink gin category, Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin is a grape-based spirit, made from upcycled grape skins after they have been pressed during the winemaking process.  Stephen says Mirabeau Gin stands out because it’s unique. “Not only is it made of grape spirit, but it’s also infused with a rosy wine.” The gin also has a wonderful Provence Rosé element to it, as… Read More

Newest place to eat on the Peninsula in Victoria: Stringers Sorrento

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Standing proud on the corner since 1896, Stringers Sorrento has reopened its doors on the Mornington Peninsula recently after having been brought back to life after a long hiatus. Having seen many incarnations over the years, the landmark merchants store ‘up the hill’ occupies a special place in the fabric of the Peninsula’s history, feeding locals and visitors since its inception and making its relaunch a special new chapter for all. Preserving its spirit and iconic limestone walls, the reimagined Stringers now has an artisanal providore fit with both deli and grocer, a pizzeria with a custom pizza oven, a gelateria scooping Sorrento’s finest local gelato, bar, large rear courtyard and underground wine cellar featuring rare and fine wines. With trading hours from 7am until late, the light and breezy space is a welcoming refuge from the buzzy main street of Sorrento. For more and to book a table, head to the Stringers Sorrento website

Mad Mex launches a new plant-based range

Mad Mex new range

Mad Mex is pitting beef against plant power by challenging Australians to see if they can taste the difference between its meat and plant-based mince and they’ve partnered with a renowned carnivore and former AFL player Brendon Fevola “Fev” to launch the new Powered by Plants menu.  With more than 12 per cent of customers opting for plant-based food each year, the new menu items have been driven by customer demand. Testament to its deliciousness, in the past 12 months alone, Mad Mex has dished up a whopping 25 tonnes of tofu and 15 tonnes of vegan chicken. Demand for plant-based food is being driven by both ‘flexitarians’ – people with a flexible diet between eating healthy and incorporating meat from time to time – and those with a plant-based lifestyle. They both have one compelling demand: the big bold flavours of Mexico. Mad Mex is the first and only Mexican restaurant brand to create vegan mince as part of its menu. The Mexicali Mince contains no meat but still has an authentic Mexican meat taste. The mince incorporates a mix of Mad Mex’s signature sauces and spices that deliver an unbeatable tasty and saucy filling, that might even be better than the real thing. Brendan Fevola, also known as ‘Fev’, is the first to admit he’s had challenges with weight and fitness since retiring from AFL footy. Since then, he has been on the hunt for healthy, yet tasty alternatives – so who better to road test the new plant-based mince option than meat-lover… Read More

Restaurant for father’s day: Best restaurants to take Dad this Australian Father’s Day in Sydney and Melbourne

Restaurant for father's day

Father’s Day is fast approaching on Sunday 4 September, so now is literally the time to get planning and making reservations to take the ol’ man if you’re not planning on getting him a gift! There are some great gift options and chances to win here, if you’re interested. NOUR Sydney Nour is a sophisticated dining space providing Sydneysiders with quality service and impeccable produce. With a fresh and exciting take on traditional Lebanese, Nour’s stylish food and signature cocktails have earned them the accolade as the best restaurant in Sydney on TripAdvisor. Dine from any available banquet menu this Father’s Day (September 4) and all Dad’s present will receive a $50 voucher redeemable across the ESCA Group. Book a table LILYMU Sydney Lilymu is where the culture, cuisine and traditions of Southeast Asia collide. Through an unrestricted approach in the kitchen and bar, Lilymu’s dishes and drinks are traditionally inspired and curated from China and South East Asia, incorporating a fresh, yet delightfully modern perspective. Dine from any available banquet menu this Father’s Day (September 4) and all Dad’s present will receive a $50 voucher redeemable across the ESCA Group. Book a table at Lilymu STOKEHOUSE Melbourne This Father’s Day, Stokehouse St Kilda is celebrating dads with a specially curated three-course menu by Executive Chef Jason Staudt.  Combining only the best seasonal produce and Australian beach luxe, the seafood-centric menu includes starters, your choice of main, sides and an incredible dessert by Group Pastry Chef Ash Smith.  You can expect to see fan favourites like Yellowfin… Read More

Celebrate National Rum Day at home with a custom cocktail kit

Rum cocktail kit

It’s National Rum Day on August 16 and yes, it is a school night. But thanks to a very convenient partnership between Diplomático and Box Bar, you can create rum cocktails from the comfort of your home with a limited edition custom cocktail kit that includes the signature Reserva Exclusiva Rum, mixers, garnishes, and dark spirit knowledge.  Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva is a blend of exclusive rum reserves aged for up to twelve years. Opening up with aromas of orange peel, toffee and licorice, it’s smooth on the palate and follows on with notes of toffee fudge that offers a seductive, long-lasting finish. “The Diplomático range, though Reserva Exclusiva specifically, has the unique ability to bring more life and a touch of sweetness to classic rum cocktails. Partnering with Box Bar means we’re able to share this experience with Australian consumers on a larger scale, and what better way to celebrate new and loyal rum enthusiasts than by owning National Rum Day”, says Sai Hamsala, Diplomático Brand Ambassador. The limited-edition Exclusiva Exclusive from Diplomático is now available for purchase ahead of the first consumer masterclass which will take place on National Rum Day, August 16 at 5 pm. Order your cocktail kit here for $65 (usually $75) plus shipping until the end of August. You must be over 18 years and over.  What’s in the Exclusiva Exclusive box? 100ml Diplomático Exclusiva Reserva 50ml Diplomático Mantauno 100ml Capi ginger ale 13ml dry curaçao 17ml lime juice Angostura bitters Brown sugar White sugar Orange peel Dried apple slices… Read More

Forgot the wine? Jimmy Brings in 30 minutes

Jimmy brings

How good are you? You’ve just cooked up dinner for five of your mates. The cheese platter is ready to go and you’re just about to whip up dessert when you realise, you’re missing the rum for the rum and raisin pudding. Problem is that the guests are due to arrive in 15 minutes, the oven is on and you just don’t have time to get to the shops.  Enter Jimmy. Who is Jimmy? Tonight, Jimmy is your saviour. He can deliver wine, beer, spirits and more to your door in 30 minutes. And even better, they’ll arrive cold and ready to drink! His delivery fee is $6.95 in Sydney and $5.95 in all other cities. Jimmy can help you out of a tight spot when you’re running low on beer at the party. He can deliver a bottle of wine when you don’t feel like getting out of your PJs to make the trek to the bottle shop. He can sweep in and save the day with all the fixings of your favourite cocktail if your guests show up unexpectedly. Jimmy is super responsible and takes care of his mates! His drivers are RSA qualified and if you are worried about yourself or a loved one, he can limit or exclude you from using his service. Where does Jimmy deliver to? He currently delivers in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Perth. Simply jump on the app or website and enter your postcode to see if your area is eligible… Read More