Category: FOOD & DRINK

It’s okay to drink chilled red wine, but if you don’t believe us, ask the experts at Taylors Wines

Taylors Wines Summer House

Contrary to popular belief, you can enjoy a chilled, full-bodied red wine over summer. “Sacré bleu!,” we hear you say! But yes, it’s true. Gone are the days when red wines are said to be enjoyed best at room temperature, by the fireplace in the middle of winter.  And in fact, the concept of drinking wine at room temperature originates from Europe, where wines were kept in chilly cellars at ‘Europrean room temperatures’. The average room temperature in Australia is approximately 23 degrees, which is somewhat warmer than the chilly cellars of Europe, making it just that little too warm for the optimum serving temperature.  According to Taylors Wines, full-bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz should actually be served at between 16 to 18 degrees celsius. If you prefer a lighter-bodied red such as Pinot Noir, it should be served at 12-14 degrees celsius. Experts at Taylors also say if red wine is served too warm, the alcohol will dominate and mask its subtle flavours. But if you need further convincing that drinking chilled red is actually okay, then it’s best you hear it from the experts at Taylors Wines, who are launching the Summer House of Shiraz – a 90-minute, temperature themed wine tasting experience at a stunning Point Piper venue overlooking Sydney Harbour. To access the venue, you will be transported to and from the Summer House via private water taxi from Rose Bay. The Summer House will open its doors and private jetty for two days, Saturday 7 December and… Read More

Cold coffee for a hot summer: Seven Miles Coffee Roasters do it right

Cold brew coffee

Cold brew coffee isn’t a new thing; but doing it right is. Seven Miles Coffee Roasters are pretty top notch when it comes to their brews, to the point where they’ve even managed to craft their own cold brew for the warmer months. Based in Manly NSW, they know a temperature-or-two, so the art of perfecting a refreshing cold drip – as opposed to your regular latte – is an acquired thing. The cold brew summer blend has the capacity to satisfy Aussies’ seasonal tastes – some of the highest standards in the world if you’ve ever tried they shit they call ‘coffee’ in the UK – with new blend is set to meet the ever-increasing demand for cold brew. Expertly roasted, blended and ground by the squad at Seven Miles, this new creation takes the guesswork out of cold brewing to give seasoned professionals and at-home baristas a helping hand, ensuring maximum flavour every time. Here’s the goods. And here’s how to make it.

Drinks of Fire & Ice: Johnnie Walker is keeping GoT living

Whisky

The finale might come and come (and left a tonne of questions unanswered in its wake), but Johnnie Walker isn’t letting it go that easily. The whisky man has made two new batches, the Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice and A Song of Fire, available since October. The new whiskies are inspired by the two great Houses who face off in the final series of Game of Thrones – House Stark, represented by the fearsome Direwolf, and House Targaryen, represented by the fire-breathing Dragon. Johnnie Walker is calling on Game of Thrones fans to declare their allegiance, Stark or Targaryen, Direwolf or Dragon. Whether it’s fire you desire or you have ice in your veins, Johnnie Walker has a Game of Thrones whisky for you. Fever obviously takes a while to die down in the UK – German Gymnasium have just intro’d a new range of cocktails in the show’s honour, too! A Song of Ice has a crisp, clean taste inspired by the unforgiving, sharp Winterfell terrain and the freezing ice that shapes its mountains and stops its rivers. Meanwhile, A Song of Fire boasts flavours of subtle smoke from the peated malts of the Caol Ila distillery. Synonymous with the House in which it hails from A Song of Fire’s full-bodied flavour delivers subtle red fruit, a sweet smoke and a hint of spice like those laden in the markets of Meereen Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice and A Song of Fire will both be available in October 2019 until supplies last with an SRP: Available from liquor stores nationwide from late October. $69.99 for 700ml.

Buy wine and gift one automatically – How Burge Wines is doing Christmas

Red wine

Until 3 December iconic Barossa-based wine producer is running their Buy a Burge, Gift a Burge promotion, a limited-time thing offering consumers who purchase a bottle of Grant Burge the opportunity to gift a second bottle to someone special. Whether it’s a present for a wine-lover or a surprise and delight moment for that someone special, the promotion, aptly titled ‘Buy a Burge, Gift a Burge’, offers you a wonderful opportunity to both gift and enjoy high quality wines this festive season, from a delicious Grant Burge, Shiraz or Sparkling Wine. Here’s how to do it… Buy a bottle of Grant Burge wine from a participating range and participating store Jump online and visit giftaburge.com.au Upload your details, including the purchase receipt, and nominate a friend or family member who you wish to gift Your nominated friend of family member will then receive a unique voucher they can redeem for a bottle of Grant Burge (from the same range and any store from the same participating retailer) Merry drinking.

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

Melbourne: Ketel One Vodka takes over the city’s Arbory Afloat riverside bar

Arbory Afloat 2

Vodka is versatile. And so is the range of things to do in Melbourne in the summer. Combine the two and you get Ketel One Botanical; a new vodka range by the brand that combines the throat-burning deliciousness of vodka with the fragrant and floral notes of, well… Flowers. Arbory Afloat, Melbourne’s latest summertime destination, is all about summer in the city and vodka, so they’ve combined the two in honour of the new batch, creating a lush oasis on the venues’ upper deck to celebrate the launch of the new spirit. Arbory Afloat is serving each of the three new Ketel One Botanical varietals in a simple yet elegant, smooth-sipping spritz. You can enjoy these: Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint spritz; Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose spritz; Ketel One Botanical Peach and Orange Blossom spritz; To accompany the take-over, Arbory Afloat has created a range of merchandise; T-shirts, hats and towels inspired by the botanicals from Ketel One Botanical. Find it all at Arbory Afloat, opening hours: daily 11am – 1am, from now until 23 February 2020.

Best things to do in Sydney this summer: Free live music, laneway surprises, late night bites

Sydney ivy pool club

In a city gripped by bureaucracy and laws that stifle fun, it doesn’t mean you can’t get out amongst it in Sydney this summer. There are a lot of things on around the city this summer, courtesy of the hospitality folks at Merivale, to keep you occupied as the city heats-up. This is what’s on… Free live music Live music is the beating heart of all world-class cities and needs to be the driving force of Sydney’s reinvigorated future. Working closely with The Music and Booze Co, Merivale has curated a free programme of incredible and unexpected music experiences in the CBD. This week will see The Preatures and Thandi Phoenix take over Palings, Kira Piru play a pumping poolside set at Pool Club and Brendan Maclean perform by a grand piano at Establishment. Disco Espresso – The city’s tiniest disco Every Thursday and Friday afternoon, Will & Co on George Street will be transformed into Disco Espresso, Sydney’s tiniest disco party. Larger than life disco duo, The Dollar Bin Darlings, will be spinning tunes under the mirror balls from 5pm, with wine, beer and cocktails served on tap. Late night bites From tonight until the end of summer, Merivale is offering 50% off all bar food in all CBD bars – 11-12pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Guests will be able to enjoy half-price late-night bites at Palings, Establishment Main Bar, Slip Inn, Pool Club, Palmer & Co,.Bar Topa, Little Felix, Charlie Parker’s and the soon to open Bar Totti’s and Jimmy’s Falafel. Poof Doof Sydney… 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