Sydney’s Bellbird Dining + Bar

Words by Lucy Collins

Images Courtesy of Lucy Collins & Bellbird Dining + Bar/Cardinal Spin

**Sydney writer Lucy Collins headed for the new Bellbird Dining + Bar last Saturday and kicked back for an afternoon of fine food, local beers and wines.

The happy chirrup of bellbirds greeted our arrival at Bellbird Dining + Bar, located in the trendy Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre…an apt welcome for our gourmet experience ahead. The industrial exterior revealed a warm and welcoming gallery space within, and we were immediately drawn to the rustic wooden tables with stools broad enough to offer you the kind of comfort that encourages a longer session of eating and drinking than my GP would recommend!

Browsing the mouth-watering menu, we settled back for an afternoon of great local craft beers, superb wines from the NSW Southern Highlands, and a dazzling array of canapés. Unobtrusive live music helped round out the laid-back ambience of our Saturday afternoon. 

An Artemis Sparkling Riesling was the perfect accompaniment for our first dishes: Cured Salmon Tart with celeriac remoulade, followed by Scallop Ceviche served with avocado mousse, the seafood offering such a fresh start to our taste session. The Llandilo Duck Liver Parfait Macaroons arrived next, which my companion enjoyed with an Artemis Pinot Grigio. Meanwhile, I sipped on a truly lovely Artemis Rose while nibbling on mozzarella, confit cherry tomatoes, olive salt and toast.

As much as I would have been happy to stick with the rose all afternoon, I felt duty-bound to try the red – and I’m so pleased that I did! The Artemis Pinot Noir went down a treat with the Asparagus Risotto.

We found it difficult to agree on a favourite canapé. While my companion was enamoured with the Southern-Style Fried Quail served with chilli jam, I couldn’t get enough of the Cured Kangaroo Loin, served in a crisp case alongside pink pickled onion and fried onion.

We got chatting to another diner who had visited the Bellbird on previous occasions – they waxed lyrical over the Goat’s Cheese Fritters with honey and pickled beetroot.  And to be honest, biting through the light crunchy case of these fritters to discover the warm fluffy goat cheese with beetroot was pretty darn good.

There were some terrific local beers on hand too from South Western Sydney Brewery:  Stockade Brew Co. (www.stockadebrewco.com.au)

With their own kitchen garden to provide the freshest local garden-to-plate flavours and some clever post-show lunch menus, the Bellbird is destined to become a local gem. Located in the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, it is easily accessible by road, but also conveniently just 100 meters from the train station. 

Bellbird Dining + Bar is a great destination for your next foodie adventure.

Where: Casula Powerhouse, 1 Powerhouse Road, Casula NSW 2170

Bellbird Dining + Bar
Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 10am – 3pm
Website: http://www.casulapowerhouse.com/visit/bellbird-dining-and-bar

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bellbirdatcasulapowerhouseliverpool

Contact: (02) 9824 1121

Tasting Notes: www.artemiswines.com.au

Artemis Sparkling Riesling

Pale green/yellow in colour. The wine shows delicate floral, apricot and orange blossom aromas Lime and sherbet dominates the nose. The delicious palate shows white peach and lime characters.This wine has firm acidity and finishes with a defined citrus lift and well balanced residual sugar. The wine will age for up to 8 years. 

Artemis Pinot Grigio

Pale green in colour. A complex nose of pear, fennel, lemon, thyme and honey aromas. Lime, white peach and delicate oak notes balance a palate that shows minerality and elegant acidity. A fine wine with good weight. Drinking well now and will benefit from careful cellaring, 3/5 yrs.

Artemis Rose

100% Pinot Noir Rose. Floral & strawberry on the nose. Complex palate of stone fruit & honey, fine citrus lift & medium acidity

—————————————————————————————————–

Beers: South Western Sydney Brewery: Stockade Brew Co.

www.stockadebrewco.com.au

**info on beers below

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

E: connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatgourmetmag/

READ ON FOR INFO ON STOCKADE BREW CO. BEERS & MORE FOOD PICS FROM BELLBIRD…

• 8bit india pale ale

fruity aroma – citrus – caramel malt – hop forward

8BiT has aggressive hop aromas and caramel malt flavours. The big bitterness delivered with a high hop flavour is balanced by a sweet malt character. This IPA presents citrus and floral aromas on the nose and is a refresher all year round. 

 

• hop splicer xpa

spliced grapefruit – zesty – aromatic – sessionable

Hop Splicer presents subtle hop flavours & a slightly bitter sweet citrus hit on first sip. This XPA is straw coloured with tight carbonation with the addition of grapefruit making it a truly refreshing, easy-drinking beer.

 

• chop shop pale ale

hop driven – refreshing – unfiltered  – stone fruit

Chop Shop packs a big punch of high hop flavours on a malt foundation. This pale ale is bright in colour, well balanced and is packed full of classic American hops presenting an up-front tropical aroma. With a  medium-bodied mouthfeel, this beer will leave you wanting more.

 

• duel hoppy lager

hoppy – fresh & fruity – tropical aroma – crisp finish

Duel takes hops to the next level. With an interesting hop finish, this beer has a subtle floral & lightly spiced flavour with rich tropical fruit & citrus aromas. This brew has a full mouth feel, bright nose & a crisp finish.