We've decided to bring back the weekly round up of food and lifestyle news around Australia, showing off the incredibly happening and diverse scenes across the country. This week's issue Sydney prepares for a massive pork feast at Bishop Sessa; The Glenmore brings back 'Sunrise Yoga' on it's famous rooftop; Trampoline Gelato delivers quirky flavours including vegemite; Melbourne prepares their renowned cheese and cider festival Fromage A Trois; creative juices flow for next month's National Craft [not beer!] Month; and much more.
PORK DEGUSTATION AT BISHOP SESSA (SURRY HILLS, SYDNEY)
Next Thursday acclaimed Surry Hills restaurant Bishop Sessa will be bringing back their popular 'I Dream of Pork' degustation for one night and one sitting. The five course menu comes from Chef Paul Cooper and the night's host Erez Gordon, who will also be preparing a matched wine list to perfectly pair with each course. Sit down is at 7pm and tickets are $129pp for five courses and matched wines. Bookings can be made on 02 8065 7223.
527 Crown St, Surry Hills
SUNRISE YOGA ON THE ROOFTOP AT THE GLENMORE (THE ROCKS, SYDNEY)
Following the success of the first ever rooftop yoga class last year, The Glenmore’s iconic space will once again be turned into a yogi’s heaven for two more classes starting this month. The vinyasa flow classes, held in collaboration with lululemon athletica Sydney CBD, will run from 7-8am on Wednesday 25 February and Friday 13 March.
The intimate classes, which are suitable for all levels, will be complimentary thanks to lululemon’s #sunriseyoga series. lululemon endorsed yoga teachers will be instructing the class with DJ Jeff Fellows spinning chill out tunes whilst overlooking stunning Sydney Harbour.
A complimentary light breakfast will be provided after the class. All levels are welcome and all that’s required is a yoga mat and an open mind!
For further information and to register for this free event, visit www.theglenmore.com.au/whats-on. Tickets are available on a first come first served basis and spaces are strictly limited.
96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
WINE DINNER AT THE MORRISON (CBD, SYDNEY)
The Conservatory, The Morrison’s open air terrace which offers a private but stylish setting under the stars, is the venue for ‘Meet the Makers – Wine Dinner’, an evening embodying the diverse characteristics that define the New South Wales food and wine regions. Chef Sean Connolly and the winemaking team at The Hunter Valley’s Mount Pleasant Vineyards will host an exclusive evening on 24th February from 7pm.
With a focus on local produce, Sean has created a menu that reflects his signature style of cooking; a fusion of his fine dining experience perfectly balanced with The Morrison’s quirky and unique style. Mount Pleasant’s chief winemaker Jim Chatto has expertly matched wines from Mount Pleasant’s unique range to each dish, resulting in a gastronomic journey through the best New South Wales has to offer, for just $99pp!
In addition to the set events, every day throughout the NSW Food and Wine Festival diners are invited to ‘Dine with NSW Wine’ for just $30pp. Guests will be treated to a two course set menu that is expertly paired with a Ross Hill Sauvignon Blanc.
225 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
FOUR PILLARS GIN MASTERCLASS (REDFERN, SYDNEY)
Fancy a 90 minute masterclass on Gin from someone who knows the diverse spirit back to front? Four Pillars mastermind Stu Gregor will be hosting a masterclass at The Workshop in Redfern to take guests through a little history on gin and distilling, and the current flourishing Australian craft spirit industry. They'll be a taste of all three Four Pillars gins available (Rare Dry, Barrel Aged, and Navy Strength) as well as a showcase on how to make the perfect Negroni - one of the most loved cocktails in the world. You'll be given a G&T on arrival and a one of those perfect Negronis.
Tickets can be purchased from:
https://www.fourpillarsgin.com.au/meeting/gin-masterclass-tues-10-march/
FOLEY LANE TAPAS BAR BECOMES CASONI ITALIAN RESTAURANT (DARLINGHURST, SYDNEY)
Well-loved laneway venue and tapas bar Foley Lane has gone through a pretty significant transformation, with the team behind the popular destination taking things from Spain to Italy with the new Casoni. The intimate Italian eatery is now in full swing and ready to take on 2015 with it's daily changing menu, under the hands of Head Chef Lachlan Robinson (ex-Pendolino, ex-Icebergs, ex Bianco Nero in London). I'd say that's a pretty impressive resume.
A freshly made pasta dish is created daily (the pasta del giorno), a key menu item and designed to give customers something new and fresh every visit. The pasta del giorno changes according to the produce available and whatever takes Robinson’s fancy. Fresh pasta is what Casoni does, but there are always plenty of other delicious menu items on offer.
With a small fun wine list, Casoni constantly change things to keep it fresh. Casoni’s wine list showcases both Italian and Australian made Italian varietals, available by the bottle and regularly changing offerings by the glass. Italian classics, the negroni and Aperol spritz, are available on tap and a selection of house cocktails such as The Pear Necessities and Cherry Leopard, a seasonal take on the Whiskey Sour, are highlights.
Casoni is located at 371 - 373 Bourke St, Darlinghurst (Corner of Foley Street and Bourke Streets) and is open Wednesday to Thursday evenings, 5pm – 11pm, Friday to Saturday, 5pm to midnight and Sunday, 5pm to 10pm.
FROMAGE A TROIS CHEESE AND CIDER FESTIVAL (WERRIBEE PARK, MELBOURNE)
For a $35 Melbournians will be given access to a wonderworld of cheese and cider as Fromage A Trois returns, taking over Werribee Park Mansion and surrounds to take folk on a journey around the country via cheese, wine, cider, and more. Over 60 exhibitors are on board this year - the festival's second - widening the range and breadth of experience on offer.
The festival will take place on 15th March and focus on Australian produce, showing off the beautiful food and drink industry we often take for granted.
Joining the festival are some of Melbourne’s most iconic food haunts and trucks including Trailer Made, White Guy Cooks Thai and Brûlée Cart, as well as local breweries including Two Birds Brewing who will be serving up their delicious ales including bespoke-ales Bantam Ipa and Taco Beer. Renowned Cheesemonger Naomi Cristante will be taking to the main stage alongside other professional chefs, to take visitors on a culinary journey, demonstrating how to be versatile with cheese and incorporating it into your every day cooking.
Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased directly from Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com.au. Children under 12 get in for free.
PARRAMATTA'S RESTAURANT 317 LAUNCHES EXPRESS MENU (PARRAMATTA, SYDNEY)
Parramatta gem, Restaurant 317, has launched an exciting new weekday menu. The Biz Lunch Express Menu is now available every Monday to Friday 11:30am-4:00pm offering customers delicious, healthy and substantial meal options quickly and at affordable prices.
"We created the Biz Lunch Express Menu to allow our corporate clientele and those who have busy daytime schedules the chance to have a great lunch, fast," Restaurant 317's owner Pierre Sande said.
"Customers have the option to pre-order online or over the phone as well as in-house. Meaning no matter how busy your day is you can still make sure you eat properly."
The Biz Lunch Express Menu features a range of delicious dishes including: Smoked Salmon Salad w/ rocket, avocado, spanish onion, capers homemade lemon dressing; Bocconcini & Prosciutto Pizza; Seafood Risotto w/ black mussels, calamari, octopus, prawns, garlic, napoletana sauce; Garlic Prawn Hot Pot w/ garlic, napoletana sauce, fresh bread; and Penne Siciliana w/ olives, roasted eggplant, ricotta, napoletana sauce.
Restaurant 317 has also installed complimentary WiFi for diners, all they need to do is ask for the pass!
With over 90% of its meals suitable for those with coeliac disease or those who are avoiding gluten due to health reasons, Restaurant 317's is regarded as Sydney’s premier gluten free restaurant offering patrons award winning gluten free options for pastas, breads, pizzas, sauces and lots more.
Restaurant 317 is located at 317 Church Street, Parramatta and is open Monday- Sunday from 11.30am until late. The Oyster Bar is open daily from 6pm.
FRENCH RIVERA DINING COMES TO SOUTHBANK (SOUTHBANK, MELBOURNE)
Until March 29th, the upper terrace of Hamer Hall will be reinvented as Bar Blanc. Guests can find a spot on the beautiful green grass and experience all the delights of the French Riviera, right in the heart of Melbourne’s own Southbank.
Bar Blanc boasts a striking white palate and stunning vista of the city skyline. Enjoy a chilled glass of Petit Chablis and a bite to eat under the sun or the stars watching Melbourne buzz across the river.
This pop-up bar and eatery will be open seven days a week until 29 March. Bar Blanc will also be part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and will be open throughout White Night Melbourne on 21 February.
Bar Blanc is just another exciting food and beverage option coming to the Arts Centre Melbourne precinct. A fresh new Italian option, Teatro, has opened on the Southbank river walk, besides Saké restaurant.
Teatro is a pizzeria, tapas restaurant and bar and will provide theatre-goers with the perfect stop before or after a show. Casual diners can enjoy European cuisine with an emphasis on local Australian produce beside the sparkling Yarra.
Cento Expresso is currently undergoing an exciting redevelopment to cater to the bustling theatre crowds and will be expanding its food and beverage offerings as of this week.
SPANISH WINEMAKER CAVAS RECARDO TOURING AUSTRALIA
Ton Mata, 3rd generation Winemaker and Managing Director at Wine Advocate’s top rated Cava producer, Cavas Recaredo, is currently on a 10 day Australian tour for Untapped Fine Wines, presenting his wines at a series of exciting events.
In Ton’s highly anticipated visit to Australia, commencing on 18 February, he will delight the trade and consumers alike, in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, presenting his wines and discussing the philosophy and winemaking practices of Cavas Recaredo, and Celler Credo their range of recently launched still wines.
Ton’s tour will culminate in his attendance with his biodynamic global peers at ‘Return to Terroir’ in Melbourne.
Ton will present his winning wines at the following events:
- Bar Nacional, Melbourne, is hosting an informal paired wine dinner, 25 February, showcasing the entire range of Cavas including Wine Advcocate Turo d'en Mota.
- Prince Wine Store masterclass (26 Feb – Melbourne)
- On 27 February, Ton Mata is joined by iconic Jasper Hill winemaker Emily McNally, a fellow world leader in biodynamic wine production at a once in a lifetime event, ‘A Sense of Place’, in regional Victorian town, Castlemaine, in association with Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
- On Sat 28 February and Sunday 1 March Ton will showcase at ‘Return to Terroir’. This extraordinary tasting session is an opportunity to sample the creations of more than 50 of the world’s leading biodynamic winemakers.
TRAMPOLINE GELATO
Up until the 3rd April Trampoline Gelato will be stocking some very quirky flavours at their nationwide stores. Whether one's palette leans towards some spicy, saucy chilli or some rich, buttery caramel, or maybe even...vegemite, these lively Gelato stores are pushing for more innovation in the popular, always-fun world of ice cream.
Trampoline Gelato is calling gelato lickers far and wide to sample their kooky worldly-inspired flavours, with six new taste sensations destined to take your palate on a wild around-the-world journey.
Following international trends in the gelato scene, the playful new flavours reflect iconic foods and tastes from around the globe, and offer two keen Trampoline Gelato customers the opportunity to win a Hot Air Balloon Flight Package valued at $500 each.
“The beauty of our Trampoline Gelato stores is that they’re churning out fresh icy goodness daily, crafting gelato and sorbet flavours on-site using the finest, freshest natural ingredients, including Australian White Milk... Something not many other purveyors of gelato can claim”, said Stan Gordon, CEO of Trampoline Gelato.
The Gelato line-up is as follows:
Dedicated to Portugal, the Peri Peri Ice will light your fire. Real Peri Peri chili gelato topped with hot Peri Peri sauce and chicken drumstix biscuits. But beware... this one is hot! (And um...cold).
The Vegi-Mate Swirl is a fair dinkum tribute to an iconic Aussie favourite. Try it and you WILL like it.
The African-inspired Hakuna Matata screams no worries in a refreshing, summery vanilla-pineapple sorbet with a hint of real ginger.
For those of us who are considered a bit of a sweet-tooth, Strudel-Ay-Ee-Ooo will have you shouting from the mountain tops with this German-inspired apple strudely goodness.
The sweet, creamy and American dreamy mORe-E-O is an Oreo lovers delight, and if caramel has you weak at the knees we recommend you choose Switzerland’s Caramel-Oh! with gooey rich caramel swirled throughout.
Alongside tasting the new flavours in store for themselves, customers are also invited to vote for their favourite “worldly inspired” flavour via the Trampoline Gelato Facebook page www.facebook.com/trampolinegelato between Monday 12th January and Friday 3rd April, 2015.
Entrants will also receive a complimentary “Midget to Monster Cup upgrade” voucher simply for voting, so they can once again enjoy another (larger) taste of their favourite new flavour. At the end of the competition period, the most popular “worldly inspired” flavour will also be re-launched across all Trampoline Gelato stores.
www.trampolinegelato.com.au
NATIONAL CRAFT MONTH BEGINS
Due to popular demand Spotlight is proud to bring National Craft Month back to Australia in March 2015. Throughout National Craft Month five mini festivals will take place celebrating the essential elements of craft:
Art & Craft Fest – 28th Feb – 1st March
Sew & Quilt Fest – 7th – 8th March
Cake Fest – 14th – 15th March
Yarn Fest – 21st – 22nd March
Scrap Fest – 28th – 29th March
Did you know that crafting can reduce stress, build self-esteem and increase physical dexterity? In fact, recent studies from NYU and Harvard have shown that activities ranging from scrapbooking to knitting can actually improve concentration, while enhancing health and mental wellness.
Eva Daly, Communications Manager at Spotlight says the Spotlight Australia team are thrilled to bring the festival back to Australia for the second year running.
National Craft Month activities which will take place at various Spotlight Hub Stores throughout the month include in-store craft classes, free projects, international guests as well as special discounts and bargains exclusive to the event.
Competitions will also be running throughout March with the chance to win major cash prizes, sewing machines, gift cards and much more.