Honestly, what GFC? Regardless of how many chefs and restaurateurs complain about business being erratic of late, it would seem that it doesn't stop more new restaurants and bars from opening in Sydney. Enter three new cabs off the rank.
Izakaya Fujiyama
If the chef behind the bar looks familiar, it's because you've seen him before...behind another bar. Bodega to be exact. While Kenji-san can crank out a mean dessert, it's his native roots that have spurred him onto opening his own joint. As the name implies, it's Izakaya-style dining, which essentially means food that's meant to be eaten with booze. And there's plenty of it. With a cracking wine and sake list put together by much loved Sydney sommelier Charles Leong, and cocktails by Charles (Chino) Ainsbury, last seen at Duke, this new little Surry Hills joint is sure to bring the boozehounds out. There's KFC on the menu (Kenji's Fried Chicken), a take on karage, plus some supremely sliced sashimi to boot (and we're not just talking salmon, tuna and kingfish). Oishii desu ne!
54-56 Waterloo St
Surry Hills, 2010
(02) 9698 2797
Darlie Laundromatic
Rock'n'roll! Small bars these days are easier to come by than tight jeans in Surry Hills, but it's what we wanted, right? We love them because they're personal, unique and so goddamn tiny that they feel like an extention of your living room. Enter Darlie Laundromatic. Yes, it's an old laundromat. No, you can't do your washing while you booze (though that's a good idea). It's not schmancy, but it is cheap. $5 tinnies of Tsingtao, $6 cleanskin wines and a neat 'lil menu of gourmet sambos and mini hot dogs to boot. And there's rock'n'roll bingo on Tuesday nights. Gotta love that.
304 Palmer St, Darlinghurst, NSW
(02) 8095 0129
www.darlielaundromatic.com
30 Knots
CBD dwellers, take heart. Merivale hasn't abandoned you just yet. Yes, they're buying up pubs in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, but if you're after a post-work drink in the financial district, all you need to do is set your compass due east (or whatever), and speed up to 30 Knots. Sailor fanciers take note, this is your kinda bar. With nautical decoration a-go-go, you'll feel right at home on your sea legs, with plenty of interesting stuff to keep you going while you sip your cleansing ale (there are around 30 to choose from). And yes, there are fish and chips. It's not quite an old-school pub, with just a tiny bit of Merivale polish evident, but it's a nice respite from some of the big, rowdy bars nearby.
The Grand Hotel
30 Hunter St, Sydney
(92) 9232 3755
Friday, 29 July 2011
Sunday, 24 July 2011
drink'n'dine
Sydney's weather is still rubbish. With most of us needing a snorkel to get to work this week, it's no wonder people don't want to actually leave the house. If the thought of too much downtime at home sounds a bit too scary, think about places you can head to where you don't actually have to leave: A return to an old-school night out, it's all about the pre-dinner cocktail, a leisurely dinner and a nightcap....all in the one space. All the better to keep your shoes dry!
Porteño
That favourite rockabilly posse really have a great thing going over on Cleveland Street. The expansive restaurant houses an asador to keep you warm and some of the city's finest toothsome, deliciously roasted meats (and quite a few vegetarian gems, too). Add to this Gardel's Bar upstairs, the restaurant's new(ish) cocktail bar space, run by some of the best cocktail bartenders in the business. There are plenty of lounges and cosy booths to settle in for the night and listen to some rockin' tunes while you sip your old fashioned and have a punt on the vintage foosball table. (tip: listen out for rare live gigs that take place from time to time).
358 Cleveland Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
www.porteno.com.au
Concrete Blonde
Potts Point seems to be the hotspot for new restaurants to open, with Gastropark and the like sprouting up of late. Concrete Blonde is the next in a round of new places on the Bayswater Road strip and it's a doosy. Like, proper dramatic. Chef Patrick Dank's globetrotting ways have created a menu inspired by American, Japanese and Mediterranean flavours, with dishes like Kentucky Fried Quail, to Prawns with banana guacamole, tomatillo, salmon caviar, spiced popcorn and jalapeno: there's no shortage of interesting flavour combinations here. Add to that a serious cocktail and wine list, arrive early for a pre-dinner drink (Try the signature Concrete Blonde: kumquat and pineapple sage muddled with a dash of sugar, shaken with Belvedere vodka and a splash of pineapple juice, topped with a lychee foam and popping candy) and settle in for the night. Need to dance it all off afterward? With no shortage of nearby clubs, that'll be no problem!
33 Bayswater Road
Potts Point NSW 2011
(02) 9380 8307
The Carrington
A good night out doesn't have to mean putting on your best stilettos though. The Carrington has just reopened in Surry Hills' Bourke Street and it's been a labour of love for owners Jaime Wirth, Mike Delaney and James Miller, who have been working hard to de-chintz this old faitful pub. Replacing it with something more akin to the pintxos bars in San Sebastian and the kind of proper 'old man pub' that Sydney sadly seems to be losing in droves. Befitting of an awesome pub, the grub is pretty damn fine, featuring dishes by chef Jamie Thomas, with a Spanish-slant. There's slow-roasted goat, platters of chorizo in cider and salt cod croquettes as well as three bars for booze, focused on Spanish varietals and other Iberian classic drinks (Kalimotxos anyone?).
563 Bourke Street
Surry Hills, 2010
www.the-carrington.com.au
Porteño
That favourite rockabilly posse really have a great thing going over on Cleveland Street. The expansive restaurant houses an asador to keep you warm and some of the city's finest toothsome, deliciously roasted meats (and quite a few vegetarian gems, too). Add to this Gardel's Bar upstairs, the restaurant's new(ish) cocktail bar space, run by some of the best cocktail bartenders in the business. There are plenty of lounges and cosy booths to settle in for the night and listen to some rockin' tunes while you sip your old fashioned and have a punt on the vintage foosball table. (tip: listen out for rare live gigs that take place from time to time).
358 Cleveland Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
www.porteno.com.au
Concrete Blonde
Potts Point seems to be the hotspot for new restaurants to open, with Gastropark and the like sprouting up of late. Concrete Blonde is the next in a round of new places on the Bayswater Road strip and it's a doosy. Like, proper dramatic. Chef Patrick Dank's globetrotting ways have created a menu inspired by American, Japanese and Mediterranean flavours, with dishes like Kentucky Fried Quail, to Prawns with banana guacamole, tomatillo, salmon caviar, spiced popcorn and jalapeno: there's no shortage of interesting flavour combinations here. Add to that a serious cocktail and wine list, arrive early for a pre-dinner drink (Try the signature Concrete Blonde: kumquat and pineapple sage muddled with a dash of sugar, shaken with Belvedere vodka and a splash of pineapple juice, topped with a lychee foam and popping candy) and settle in for the night. Need to dance it all off afterward? With no shortage of nearby clubs, that'll be no problem!
33 Bayswater Road
Potts Point NSW 2011
(02) 9380 8307
The Carrington
A good night out doesn't have to mean putting on your best stilettos though. The Carrington has just reopened in Surry Hills' Bourke Street and it's been a labour of love for owners Jaime Wirth, Mike Delaney and James Miller, who have been working hard to de-chintz this old faitful pub. Replacing it with something more akin to the pintxos bars in San Sebastian and the kind of proper 'old man pub' that Sydney sadly seems to be losing in droves. Befitting of an awesome pub, the grub is pretty damn fine, featuring dishes by chef Jamie Thomas, with a Spanish-slant. There's slow-roasted goat, platters of chorizo in cider and salt cod croquettes as well as three bars for booze, focused on Spanish varietals and other Iberian classic drinks (Kalimotxos anyone?).
563 Bourke Street
Surry Hills, 2010
www.the-carrington.com.au
Thursday, 21 July 2011
run, rockpool, run!
Chefs. Running. Nope, I didn't think it happened either, but in this case, it's nice to be proven wrong. This year, Rockpool's Neil Perry has pledged to raise $150, 000 to support the Starlight Children's Foundation, which grants wishes to sick children and their families. Each wish costs around $6,000 to grant, so if their goal is reached, Rockpool will be able to support 25 wishes to families who really need a bright spark in their lives. The team are currently sitting at $58, 551.80, so every dollar counts!
Click here to read more and donate.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
cocktails for charity
Food industry collectives always seem to be about chefs, and why let them have all the glory? Enter the Front of House All Stars, a collective of Sydney stalwarts when it comes to perfect service, have come together in aid of Street Smart, a brilliant initiative that helps the homeless.
Featuring John Fink of Quay fame, Sam Christie (Longrain), Poppy Gresson (Coast) and more, team have joined forces with some of the city's best sommeliers to present a glittering cocktail party with a conscience.
The money raised from their next event will go towards homeless projects across Sydney. You know how cold it's been this winter (and that's with a roof over your head and a cosy doona), so spare a thought (and some change) for those less fortunate, and drink up!
When: Tuesday August 9th, 2011. 7.00pm – 11.00pm
Where: Quay, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney
Price: $175
Bookings: Poppy at Coast 02 9267 6700
Featuring John Fink of Quay fame, Sam Christie (Longrain), Poppy Gresson (Coast) and more, team have joined forces with some of the city's best sommeliers to present a glittering cocktail party with a conscience.
The money raised from their next event will go towards homeless projects across Sydney. You know how cold it's been this winter (and that's with a roof over your head and a cosy doona), so spare a thought (and some change) for those less fortunate, and drink up!
When: Tuesday August 9th, 2011. 7.00pm – 11.00pm
Where: Quay, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney
Price: $175
Bookings: Poppy at Coast 02 9267 6700
Friday, 15 July 2011
Retro Bastille Day
With last week's absence (don't ask), we didn't quite get the jump on yesterday's Bastille Day celebrations and where to have them. So if you missed out on celebrating last night, why not go all Francais this weekend? Given how cold it is, I've come up with 3 hearty options to help you get your 'oui' on.
Level 1 292 - 294 Victoria Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
(02)9356 3429
www.tastevin.com.au
La Guillotine
Originally a French omelette house (yes, it happened), La Guillotine has now evolved into a friendly French bistro in the heart of the city. You can get all the quintessential dishes you think of when it comes to classic French bistro stylings - they serve up dishes like snails, grilled with butter and parsley, mussels with garlic, parsley and cream and a hefty side of golden crisp fries. And yes, they still do a mean omelette - have it Lorraine (ham, cheese onion) or go all out with caviar. C'est magnifique.
518 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 9264 1487
www.laguillotine.com.au
La Grande Bouffe
Hear me out. I know offal might be a little hard (or soft) to take, but doubters, consider this. They French are a sexy bunch. In general they appreciate the finer things in life, so if you're going to try offal, you might as well go out in style. The dish in question is a very classic dish - Sauteed calves liver with mash potato, roasted witlof and baslamic jus. If that's too much, you could always try the twice cooked lamb neck with zucchini, tomato and anchovie beurre blanc. A good visit for a leisurely Sunday lunch.
2/758 Darling Street
Rozelle NSW 2039
(02)9818 4333
www.lagrandebouffe.com.au
Tastevin
This Darlinghurst bistro darling has been around for a couple of years and continues to crank out delicious French fare without too much pomp and circumstance. On the current menu, check out their cassoulet of confit duck leg with pork sausage and grilled speck, $33. The dish, a classic from the southern regions of France is a hearty bean stew featuring any combination of sausages, pork belly, confit duck and other deliciously slow cooked meats. Its rib-sticking good fun.
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
(02)9356 3429
www.tastevin.com.au
La Guillotine
Originally a French omelette house (yes, it happened), La Guillotine has now evolved into a friendly French bistro in the heart of the city. You can get all the quintessential dishes you think of when it comes to classic French bistro stylings - they serve up dishes like snails, grilled with butter and parsley, mussels with garlic, parsley and cream and a hefty side of golden crisp fries. And yes, they still do a mean omelette - have it Lorraine (ham, cheese onion) or go all out with caviar. C'est magnifique.
518 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 9264 1487
www.laguillotine.com.au
La Grande Bouffe
Hear me out. I know offal might be a little hard (or soft) to take, but doubters, consider this. They French are a sexy bunch. In general they appreciate the finer things in life, so if you're going to try offal, you might as well go out in style. The dish in question is a very classic dish - Sauteed calves liver with mash potato, roasted witlof and baslamic jus. If that's too much, you could always try the twice cooked lamb neck with zucchini, tomato and anchovie beurre blanc. A good visit for a leisurely Sunday lunch.
2/758 Darling Street
Rozelle NSW 2039
(02)9818 4333
www.lagrandebouffe.com.au
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
[TOYS] collective brings in the big guns
[Press release]
[TOYS] collective is back, presenting not only some of the best next wave culinary talent in Sydney, but also the icons who inspire them to do what they do.
This next dinner promises to be an extra-special event, featuring chef partnerships between TOYS and their mentors, showcasing dishes and drinks that celebrate the magic transferred from one industry great to the next.
Featuring partnerships Hamish Ingham/Damien Pignolet, Thomas Lim/Jeremy Strode, Mitch Orr/Giovanni Pilu, Morgan McGlone/Mark Holmes, Adriano Zumbo/Dean Gibson, Nick Wong and Joel Humphries/Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz, and Darren Robertson/Dave Pegrum, the formidable group will present their wares on the evening of Sunday July 17 at Porteño in Surry Hills.
The event will, as always, showcase the best of the next generation of cocktail bartenders, sommeliers and front of house personalities, including Kylie Javier (Duke Bistro), Louise Tomayo (Becasse), Richard Hargreave (Bilson's), Gabrielle Webster (Bloodwood), Luke Ashton (Duke Bistro) and more.
Thematically, [TOYS] aims to set down a challenging gauntlet for both chef and diner, and this next dinner will be no different: Old Dogs, New Tricks.
Tickets are $220 plus booking fee and are on sale via the TOYS website:
[follow toyscollective.com, @toyscollective]
Friday, 1 July 2011
ham week
Those of you who regularly listen to my segment on FBi radio are probably aware that I'm reasonably obsessed with pork in all its forms. From a loin roast to pancetta, bacon, lardo and ham, it's all about the pink stuff.
Unfortunately, many people don't realise that over 80% of ham products sold in Australia comes from frozen, imported pig, flown in from places like Denmark where the ethics of farming pig is a lot less stringent than here at home.
This Australia Ham Week, (yes, like bacon, there's a whole week devoted to it), from July 3-8, if you decide to ham it up, look for the square pink Australian pork sticker below, so you know it's true blue, er pink.
To celebrate ham week, here are a couple of places you should check out:
1. The Cafe: Gnome
No not 'Noma', 'Gnome'. This Surry Hills cafe is steadily gaining popularity for its cracking coffees and substantial sandwiches. Last we checked, they do a freshly baked baguette, filled with leg ham, boiled egg, pickles, rocket and cheddar. Yum.
536 Crown Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
(02) 9332 3191
2. The Deli - Olympic Deli
Worth visiting if it's not your local, Olympic Deli really is a winner when it comes to their awesome selection of deli goods, many of which they smoke and cure themselves right there in the store. Somewhat hidden away between a series of Vietnamese grocery stores in Old Bankstown Square, its a truly family owned and run business, first with Peter and now his daughter Joanne Karpouzis. Sausages and hams are made in the old European way, but you can be guaranteed the pork is freshly (and proudly) Australia. Don't leave without a string of Greek Cypriot red wine sausages...and the ham!
Shop 41 Old Town Centre
Bankstown Plaza
9790 1669
3. The Butcher - Stapleton's Meats
Ok, so it's in The Shire, but if you happen to be down south, head to Stapleton's Meats. Arguably Sydney's oldest butcher (it's been here since 1896), they're part of a dying breed of proper butchers who actually know how to carve a carcas, stuff a sausage and evidently make a great ham. They're the NSW winners for their boneless ham at 2011's recent Australian Ham Week judging.
71 Gymea Bay Road
Gymea
9525 1019
www.stapletonmeats.com.au
Unfortunately, many people don't realise that over 80% of ham products sold in Australia comes from frozen, imported pig, flown in from places like Denmark where the ethics of farming pig is a lot less stringent than here at home.
This Australia Ham Week, (yes, like bacon, there's a whole week devoted to it), from July 3-8, if you decide to ham it up, look for the square pink Australian pork sticker below, so you know it's true blue, er pink.
To celebrate ham week, here are a couple of places you should check out:
1. The Cafe: Gnome
No not 'Noma', 'Gnome'. This Surry Hills cafe is steadily gaining popularity for its cracking coffees and substantial sandwiches. Last we checked, they do a freshly baked baguette, filled with leg ham, boiled egg, pickles, rocket and cheddar. Yum.
536 Crown Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
(02) 9332 3191
2. The Deli - Olympic Deli
Worth visiting if it's not your local, Olympic Deli really is a winner when it comes to their awesome selection of deli goods, many of which they smoke and cure themselves right there in the store. Somewhat hidden away between a series of Vietnamese grocery stores in Old Bankstown Square, its a truly family owned and run business, first with Peter and now his daughter Joanne Karpouzis. Sausages and hams are made in the old European way, but you can be guaranteed the pork is freshly (and proudly) Australia. Don't leave without a string of Greek Cypriot red wine sausages...and the ham!
Shop 41 Old Town Centre
Bankstown Plaza
9790 1669
3. The Butcher - Stapleton's Meats
Ok, so it's in The Shire, but if you happen to be down south, head to Stapleton's Meats. Arguably Sydney's oldest butcher (it's been here since 1896), they're part of a dying breed of proper butchers who actually know how to carve a carcas, stuff a sausage and evidently make a great ham. They're the NSW winners for their boneless ham at 2011's recent Australian Ham Week judging.
71 Gymea Bay Road
Gymea
9525 1019
www.stapletonmeats.com.au
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