In this week’s issue: A So Frenchy So Chic pop-up picnic for Sydney; Kylie Kwong re-opens Billy Kwong in Potts Point; A Christmas lunch at QT Sydney; Gualt&Millau announce their top Melbourne and Sydney restaurants; Merivale cleans up at the AHA NSW Awards; Ebay parnters with Spotify for Christmas; The Railway Hotel in Melbourne holds its Veuve Summer Party; festive events held at Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay; an interesting new venue for Surry Hills with the restoration of Hotel Harry; Frankie's Pizza turns two; Hotel Harry opens at Surry Hills; Bronte's Eugene's want to stuff you for Christmas; IconPark teams up with General Assembly; DISARONNO Terrace launches in Brisbane; Newtown gets a new chocolate cafe; the Little Fish Summer Gin Garden; and so much more.
FOOD
FESTIVE EVENTS AT INTERCONTINENTAL SYDNEY DOUBLE BAY
Christmas Eve Lunch and Dinner in Stockroom – $150pp
December 24, 12:30pm and 6:30pm
Forming part of Double Bay’s enviable line-up of world-class dining options, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay’s Stockroom restaurant will pay homage to the European tradition with a bespoke menu to welcome in Christmas, created by Executive Chef Julien Pouteau. Using the best local and seasonal produce, the experience will feature a three-course menu designed for sharing, with dishes prepared using techniques such as curing, smoking, pickling, dehydrating and cooking using a robata grill. Be spoilt for choice with a range of entrees featuring fresh prawns and oysters, and a Christmas roast to share, picking from a Turducken with butter-roasted carrots, spiced bread and gingerbeer; a cherry-glazed Christmas leg ham with baked apple, celery and nectarine bun, pea shoots and pickles; and a salt-baked Gold Band Snapper with spicy rouile, bouchon potato and fennel and pomegranate salad. End the experience with a selection of delicious desserts. The experience also includes a glass of Champagne on arrival.
Sydney to Hobart Race Day at Rooftop Pool and Lounge – $200pp
December 26, 11:00am-2:00pm
With spectacular panoramic vistas of the bay, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay’s Rooftop Pool and Lounge is the hottest spot for celebrating Boxing Day and viewing the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race from 1:00pm. A glamorous way to spend Boxing Day, limited tickets will be available to the exclusive rooftop soiree, where guests can toast farewell to the yachts as they head out of Sydney Harbour on their journey south. Sit back and relax on in the stunning surrounds of the rooftop, reclining on a cabana or deck chair, enjoying endless serves of champagne and premium Penfolds wines, paired with substantial canapés, while overlooking an uninterrupted view of the sparkling yacht-dotted bay.
New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dancing in the Grand Ballroom – $390pp
December 31, 7:30pm-1:00am
InterContinental Sydney Double Bay’s elegant Grand Ballroom doors will open for an exclusive evening of dinner and dancing to ring in the New Year. A sublime mix of quality food and drink will combine with an outstanding line-up of entertainment for the grand evening, bringing the tradition of dinner and dancing back to Double Bay. Drinks on arrival and canapés will kick the evening off, followed by an extravagant four-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Julien Pouteau, combining fresh local ingredients and cooking techniques such as curing, smoking, pickling, dehydrating and cooking using a robata grill. Be treated to Mud Crab, Moreton Bay Bugs, Flinders Island Lamb, Pyengana cheddar and strawberry pavlova, with an endless serve of Champagne throughout the night. The evening will be marked by a toast an extraordinary 2014 and cheer to the New Year.
CLOUD 9 CHOCOLATE CAFÉ (SYDNEY)
If there’s one thing most of us can’t get enough of, it’s chocolate – and that’s exactly the notion behind Sydney’s just launched dessert destination, Cloud 9 Chocolate Café. With a focus on everyday indulgence and celebrating the simple things in life (such as one of their hero Gelato Sliders), Cloud 9 aims to deliver a little slice of heaven every day. Cloud 9 Chocolate Café is the brainchild of Anne McGlinchey, the chocolate entrepreneur responsible for rolling out the country’s Lindt Cafes. With over 20 years experience Anne knows more than most about the world of chocolate, and was determined to make Cloud 9’s focus high quality desserts without the matching high price tag. For more info, check out http://www.cloud9chocolatecafe.com.au/
CHRISTMAS LUNCH PROVIDED BY EUGENE’S (SYDNEY)
Bronte café, Eugene’s, will be taking the stress out of Christmas this year with some ready-prepared dishes that will make Christmas lunch simply delicious, without having to lift a finger in the kitchen. It’s not Christmas Day lunch without a Christmas Ham, and Eugene’s award winning ham from the Riverina is just the ticket. Naturally Beechwood smoked and glazed with honey, seeded mustard and studded with cloves, it’s available as a whole leg or shoulder for $26 a kilo. For seafood lovers, there’s ethically harvested Ora King Salmon from Marlborough Sound, NZ. Poached whole in wine and spices and decorated a layer of with cucumber scales and dill, it will make a fabulous centerpiece on any Christmas table. Available as a whole fish or individual fillets. To accompany the Christmas spread, a range of Eugene’s famous salads are also available to purchase by the litre, including Carrot, quinoa, kale, almonds and tarragon; Char-grilled kipfler potato, beans, snow peas, sugar snaps and mint; and Asparagus, baby fennel, orange, endive and hazelnut. Order now and pick up any time before noon on December 24. To order, call 02 9369 1110 or email catering@eugenes.com
FOVEAUX ST DINING OPENS ITS DOORS (SYDNEY)
Surry Hill’s latest restaurant revival, Foveaux St Dining, has thrown open its doors to Sydney’s hungry dining public. Formerly Foveaux Restaurant and Bar, the restaurant has reopened with a more lighthearted, approachable take on dining that aims to bring people together over a love of good food and good wine, and not just on special occasions. Redesigned by Sydney based design studio, loopcreative, the 38-seat restaurant has a fresh new look that reflects its simpler, more approachable feel with cosy banquet seating, soft lighting and floor-to-ceiling wine racks to create a warm and inviting environment. The menu, created by Felstead and head chef Paul Gordon, features the options of a six-course banquet menu titled ‘A few of our favourite things’ or a la carte, allowing diners to mix and match as they choose. The food takes its inspiration from Australia’s multi-cultural cuisines, prepared using classic French techniques for which Felstead is best known. To find out more, or to make a booking, visit http://www.foveauxstdining.com.au/
WORLD FOOD MARKETS AT WONDERLAND (BRISBANE)
From gourmet burgers and Asian street food to custom made chocolates, Brisbane’s exciting new crop of food trucks are heading to Brisbane Powerhouse in December for the World Food Markets as part of the venue’s Wonderland festival. The very first World Food Markets will kick-off on December 5 and will take place each Friday, Saturday and Sunday across the first two weeks of month. With a hive of circus, cabaret, music, burlesque and comedy to choose from as part of Wonderland, the tantalising food selection is set to complete the experience for a great night out. Conceptualised by husband and wife team, Shannon D’Souza and former Venue Manager of Watt Restaurant and Bar, Julian D’Souza, WFM will be the city’s newest food truck festival. According to Julian, the venue and festival will offer a unique experience for foodie enthusiasts. Follow the World Food Markets at https://www.facebook.com/theworldfoodmarkets
DANNY RUSSO JOINS WESTFIELD’S MIRANDA
Chef Danny Russo is bringing his Italian flare to Westfield Miranda’s new $475 million dollar redevelopment with The Italian Kitchen Miranda, a lively, casual Italian restaurant, bar and café which opened November 25. Russo has created a menu that is sure to be a crowd pleaser; tasty, great value Italian classics and modern dishes with a Russo twist from breakfast (launching mid-December 2014) through to bar snacks, lunch and dinner. Alongside Russo’s pastas and antipasti, the wood fired oven is a star of the kitchen, featuring solidly on the menu from Blistered Padron Peppers to Wood Roasted Peaches and of course the Italian favourite, pizza. Ideal for enjoying breakfast or lunch with the family, a business meeting or catching up for casual drinks and antipasti with friends, The Italian Kitchen Miranda promises great food, great value and a lively atmosphere. Find out more at http://theitaliankitchenmiranda.com.au/
CHRISTMAS LUNCH AT QT SYDNEY (SYDNEY)
QT Sydney’s award winning restaurant, Gowings Bar & Grill, is getting into the festive spirit offering a Christmas Lunch menu designed to delight the palate this silly season. Get into the festive spirit celebrating with and glass of Perrier Jouet and a 3-course menu designed by QT Hotels Creative Food Director, Robert Marchetti and Executive Chef Paul Easson. Having recently been included in the prestigious US Hotels Magazine’s ‘2014 Top Hotel Restaurants’, owings Bar & Grill is the perfect venue to entertain this festive season. The European-style brasserie menu has a strong focus on wood -fired meats, crustacean and seafood on rotisserie, treating guests to an unrivalled dining experience, matched with a bold and stylish interior. The price is $150pp. For bookings, call 02 8262 0062 or email host_gowings@qthotels.com.au
CHOPHOUSE AUCTION (SYDNEY)
Chophouse on Bligh Street will be holding a live auction on December 5, 12 and 19 at 12:15pm. Chophouse has a fantastic event coming up in December and it will be a chance for customers to bid on a premium selection of exclusively sourced meat, seafood and wine and devour it for lunch on the day, and there is no reserve for any item. The auction items range from 1.2kg of Wagyu Beef, to a whole suckling pig. Head to http://www.chophouse.com.au/ to find out more.
2015 GAULT&MILLAU MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY RESTAURANT GUIDE RESULTS
Vue de monde, Attica, Quay and Rockpool have been awarded five hats (18.5 to 19 points out of 20) in the 2015 Gault&Millau Melbourne and Sydney Restaurant Guide. This is the highest accolade in the guide and enables these restaurants to be benchmarked against their five-hat European counterparts. Melbourne’s Vue de monde was awarded 19 points in the guide – the highest score out of the two food-focused cities – and was celebrated for its “incredible views” and a “carefully constructed degustation menu that ensures the dining experience is a memorable one.” Gault&Millau Chief Australia Judge Mark Dorrell calls Vue de monde “one of the best value restaurants in Australia”, due to the fact that it is a complete sensory adventure and entertainment package, and “a unique experience that is a combination of location, view and theatre.” As well as the awarding of hats, the Gault&Millau Yellow Rose Award recognizes those who have successfully jumped the many hurdles faced by chefs and restaurateurs. Melbourne’s winner for 2015 was Stokehouse and Sydney’s was Catalina. The award is a testament to those restaurants’ history and status as an icon in their city. See the full results at http://www.gaultmillau.com.au/
BILLY KWONG OPENS IN SYDNEY’S POTTS POINT (SYDNEY)
Fans of Billy Kwong get ready to celebrate- Kylie Kwong and her team will swing open the doors of their much-anticipated new Potts Point restaurant on December 12. Bookings open on December 8. Kylie’s renowned team have come with her to the significantly larger 140-seat restaurant, including head chef Kok Hoong Leong (John) and manager Kin Chen, and are joined by beverage manager Nicola Calvert (ex Cumulus Inc and Glebe Point Diner). The new restaurant sees Kylie and her team partner with restaurateur Andrew Cibej (121BC, Vini, Berta) and colleague David King. This collaboration introduces a focus on exciting beer and wine projects, some being produced exclusively for the restaurant. The drinks list has been created by renowned sommelier Giorgio de Maria, and features wines from Australia, Italy and around the world. There will also be some signature cocktails, a sake list, and beers including a signature Young Henry’s brew called ‘Quandong Saison’, a hands-on collaboration between the brewers and the Billy Kwong team. For Kylie, the local community really is the beating heart of the new restaurant, with a strong presence on the menu. As the new ambassador for The Wayside Chapel, Kylie has partnered with them to use produce and honey from their rooftop garden, as well as sourcing herbs, weeds and greens for her menu from locals like St Canice’s Parish roof top garden, Rushcutter’s Bay Kindergarten garden, St Vincent’s College students (produce from the boarders’ farms) and the Woolloomooloo Community Garden. Visit http://www.kyliekwong.org/BillyKwongs.aspx to find out more
HOTEL HARRY SURRY HILLS (SYDNEY)
A brand new venue that has opened in Surry Hills- the historic hotel on the corner of Goulburne Street & Wentworth Ave is now revived as the steamy Hotel Harry. With Latin inspired food and beverage offerings spanning two levels, boutique accommodation, and over 100 years of history to draw on, Hotel Harry with be bringing true Latin hospitality to Sydney. Your introduction to Hotel Harry is at the Harpoon Harry Bar Publico- a social and inviting bar and eating house for young-hearted grown-ups with a penchant for flavoursome food and palate-pleasing drinks. Under the guidance of internationally acclaimed Chef Paul Wilson, Harpoon Harry Bar Publico on the ground-floor is now open, offering the taste of original Latin Barbacoa. Head to http://www.hotelharry.com.au/ for more info
THE RAILWAY HOTEL VEUVE SUMMER PARTY (MELBOURNE)
The Railway Hotel has an upcoming Veuve Summer Party which is sure to be an event to remember. The Windsor pub, recently turned fine dining restaurant hot spot, will be hosting the party on December 10 between 6pm - 9pm with guests set to be treated to a glass of prestigious Veuve and mouth-watering canapés created by renowned chef Simon Tarlington. Tickets are $20 and currently available to purchase from The Railway Hotel. Those purchasing a ticket will go into the draw to win an exclusive summer airstream experience at the Sydney Opera House (including VIP tickets to summer at the house headline act) or 1 of 5 Veuve Clicquot longboards.
SO FRENCHY SO CHIC POP-UP PICNIC (SYDNEY)
Start your summer the So Frenchy So Chic way with a free lunchtime pop-up picnic. Head along to Hyde Park at lunchtime on December 5 to get a taste of next year’s So Frenchy So ChicIn The Park with a free hamper from Simmone Logue plus a sample of the freshest tunes from France. During the pop-up picnic they will be playing the newly released So Frenchy So Chic double album. Now in its tenth year, this wildly popular (over 150,000 albums sold) compilation is a cornerstone of the French music scene in Australia, offering a yearly entree to the best sounds from both new and established French-speaking musicians around the world. The 2015 edition, released November 28, is an eclectic collection of the latest and greatest in French hiphop, electro pop, rock, country and alt folk. Bring a picnic rug, pick up a gourmet hamper, stretch out with something sparkling or kick off your shoes for some barefoot dancing on the grass. For more information check out sofrenchysochic.com.au
DRINKS
FRANKIE’S PIZZA TURNS TWO (SYDNEY)
Frankie’s Pizza is turning two and they are planning celebrate that birthday in a way that will rock all of Sydney. This amazing, free entry, event will take place from 4pm to 3am on December 7, and will grace you with some of the best bands Australia has to offer. Come along and check out The Cosmic Psychos, one of the most influential and iconic party rock bands in the nation. With sets from The Art and Dead City Ruin as well, this is an anniversary that will leave you stupefied. Frankie’s will also be collaborating with Batch Brewing Company to produce a very special Birthday Blonde Ale. To check out more from Frankie’s, head to http://frankiespizzabytheslice.com/
ALDI WINES RIVAL HIGHER CLASS WINES IN 2015 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION
Two wines blended specifically for the ALDI retail chain – a $4.99 Spanish Tempranillo, El Toro Macho and a $6.99 Cabernet Sauvignon, The Pond, from South East Australia – punched way above their weight in the judging of the 34th Sydney International Wine Competition, rivalling many more illustrious entrants. Out of the 280 wines awarded TOP 1OO, Blue Gold, and Gold accolades (from an Entry of 2000 wines), ALDI had six star performers, with the A.C Byrne & Co. Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz retailing for under $10, and only the Tudor Central Victorian Shiraz ($12.99) and Veuve Monsigny Champagne Premier Cru ($29.99) requiring more than a $10 investment. The ALDI Tudor Central Victorian Shiraz 2013 also won two trophies – the Mark De Havilland Memorial Trophy for Best Red Table Wine of Competition and the Sydney International Wine Competition Perpetual Trophy For Best Lighter Bodied Dry Red Table Wine of Competition. The 2015 Sydney International Wine Competition was judged recently by a panel of 14 international and Australian judges, with the final selection of wines judged alongside appropriate food dishes to ensure that the results reflected the way most consumers drink wine – with food. For full details of the Competition and its background head to www.top100wines.com
DISARONNO TERRACE (BRISBANE)
DISARONNO, the world's favourite Italian liqueur is bringing the prestigious DISARONNO Terrace to Brisbane, appearing at Soleil Pool Bar on Sundays throughout December. DISARONNO Terrace events run around the world in locations including Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Canada and the United States; with live music, special guests and famous DISARONNO Sour cocktails. DISARONNO Terrace Brisbane will kick off on December 7 with the ‘Start of Summer Swim Club Party’, where partygoers can welcome summer with a DISARONNO Sour, Italian treats and the sounds of Brisbane’s hottest musicians and DJs. Occupying the rooftop Soleil Pool Bar, South Bank, DISARONNO Terrace Brisbane will appear in conjunction with the venue’s Capri Sundays offering. A cosmopolitan oasis within Brisbane’s Southbank, the rooftop will be styled as a chic, poolside terrace lounge space, where partygoers can enjoy the ultimate ‘international Sunday session’. Events will be free to the public, including a complimentary drink on arrival. Head to http://disaronno.beoriginale.com/ to find out more
LITTLE FISH SUMMER GIN GARDEN (SYDNEY)
Little Fish Bar, one of Sydney’s best waterfront small bars and well kept secrets, will be celebrating all things gin in the lead up to Christmas with the Little Fish Summer Gin Garden open from November 15 through to December 19. This stellar sun-drenched harbourside bar, perched at the end of Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont alongside Flying Fish Restaurant, is the perfect spot to sip a gin and tonic or gin cocktail. The space will feature a gorgeous herb and flower stair garden, lush vines and pops of colour as well as a killer new gin menu, hand-selected by Bar Manager and gin aficionado, Adrien Charpentier. The ‘Botanical Plot’ menu features a selection of 11 gins available straight up or mixed to your liking. Taste a premium gin such as G’Vine (Cognac, France), The West Winds Gin ‘The Cutlass’ (Margaret River, WA) and Monkey 47 (Loßburg, Germany) or go for one of the classics like Hendrick’s, Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray No.10. To find more information, check out http://flyingfish.com.au/little-fish-bar
FASHION & CULTURE
MERIVALE WINS SEVEN AHA NSW AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE (SYDNEY)
Merivale took home seven awards at the Australian Hotel Association (AHA) NSW Awards for Excellence, held last night in Sydney. March into Merivale, Sydney’s signature Food and Wine Festival, was named ‘Best Promotional Concept’. Celebrating its sixth sensational year, the 2014 March into Merivale Food and Wine Festival was inspired by the first and favourite food memories of Merivale’s talented chefs and featured over 60 mouth-watering events across an unrivalled range of restaurants, bars and pubs. Pacha Sydney, the spectacular weekly entertainment experience at ivy, won ‘Best Social Media Activity’, adding yet another feather to its ever growing cap. Since launching in November 2012, Pacha Sydney has earned a stream of awards including ‘Best Night Club’ at the 2013 Australian Liquor Industry Awards and ‘Club Night of the Year’ at the inthemix Awards for two years running. To check out more about the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence, and how well Merivale fared, visit http://www.ahansw.com.au/
EBAY AND SPOTIFY PARTNER UP FOR CHRISTMAS
eBay Australia is pledging to bring the magic to online Christmas shoppers – acknowledging their responsibility to give shoppers a full sensory festive experience from the comfort of their homes. Customers may be shopping differently in the digital age, but that doesn’t mean they should miss out. To begin this process, eBay Australia has announced a partnership with digital music service Spotify, whereby eBay users will be able to play their favourite Christmas tunes for free, while they shop online for all their loved ones. Global eBay research has revealed that for 65% of Aussies, the start of the Christmas shopping season is signalled by hearing Christmas music. eBay is encouraging online shoppers to enhance their Christmas cheer by cranking up the carols, lighting Christmas candles or settling close to the pine tree, bringing all the scents and sounds of Christmas to life while they shop. Committed to bringing Christmas to online shoppers no matter what device they shop on, eBay Australia will also be handing out gingerbread-scented scratch and sniff stickers to commuters and shoppers, ensuring they get the Christmas cheer when they are shopping online.
To get started head to http://deals.ebay.com.au/. Here you will find the Spotify play button on the bottom right hand side. If you’re already logged in to Spotify, the tunes will play instantly at the click of the play button. If you’re not signed in, when you click to play you will be prompted to do so. If you’re new to Spotify you will be prompted to sign up via Facebook login or email. You can sign up, at no cost, to let the festive experience begin. eBay members can also add to the open playlist and share their favourite Christmas tunes to inspire and delight fellow shoppers.
ICONPARK PARTNERS WITH GENERAL ASSEMBLY (SYDNEY)
The world’s first crowd-funding and real estate platform dedicated to hospitality concepts, IconPark continues to take a proactive lead in the industry. Most recently, IconPark has partnered with General Assembly to bring together a panel of visionaries at The General Assembly new George Street offices from 6pm-8pm on December 2 to discuss the future of funding for start-ups. Over 100 budding entrepreneurs are expected to attend the free panel event, The Future of Funding to hear from seasoned investors and founders of crowd-funding and peer-to-peer lending platforms to share their knowledge. Society One CEO and Co-Founder, Matt Symons; Equitise Co-Founder, Chris Gilbert; Reinventure Group Co-Founder and Managing Director, Simon Cant and IconPark Co-Founder, Paul Schell will make up the panel in a discussion moderated by IconPark’s other Co-Founder, Dean McEvoy. Paul Schell said he is looking forward to sharing his crowd-funding knowledge and a beer with attendees. The General Assembly offices are located on Level 5, 387 George Street. For more information, or to register for the event, visit www.iconpark.com/FutureOfFunding.