FRATELLI FRESH UNVEILS HUGE HARBOUR-SIDE FOOD AND DINING EMPORIUM

Fratelli Fresh opens this Friday – Darling Harbour, Sydney

Fratelli Fresh opens a vibrant Italian food and dining emporium this week in the heart of Darling Harbour, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as a destination for all occasions.

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Opening at 7am on Friday, 25 May, the flagship Fratelli outpost is located below the International Convention Centre Sydney Theatre, opposite the Chinese Gardens, and accommodates over 550 customers. A 100-seat beer and wine garden brims with citrus and olive trees and offers a front-row view of the busy harbour-side precinct.

Serving house-made Neapolitan pizza, pasta, gelato and rotisserie-roasted meats, the menu showcases premium produce from local partners, including Vannella Cheese, Salumi Australia, Sonoma Bakery, Mecca Coffee, as well as Italian hero brands, Baci chocolate and Campari, and iconic American craft beer pioneer, Goose Island Beers.

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The first 2500 customers to buy a coffee, specially blended for Fratelli by cult roaster Mecca, will receive a complimentary Fratelli Fresh KeepCup, entitling them to $1 KeepCup coffee for the first 30 days. Breakfast customers will also receive $1 coffees for the first 30 days. Fratelli KeepCup holders are entitled to $2.50 coffees thereafter. Mecca is also providing specialised nitro coffee on tap, a cold, frothy brew infused with nitrogen gas.

Every time a customer purchases a drink in the first month they will go in the draw to win one of four bright red Scomadi scooters. One winner will be drawn at 6pm every Friday, over the first four weeks.

A Meet the Maker calendar of complimentary tastings featuring Mecca, Sonoma, Vannella Cheese, Ross Hill Wines, Campari and Goose Island Beers spans the launch weekend of Saturday, 26 May and Sunday, 27 May, with performers adding some live vibes to the opening days. See the full opening weekend program here.

Fratelli Darling Harbour offers a convenient grab and go selection of Sonoma breakfast toast and pastries, fresh salads, pastas, and Roman-style pizza by the slice. Slow-cooked, spit-roasted meats, including porchetta and lamb shoulder, take the rotisserie lunch menu and fresh-cut Sonoma sandwich selection to the next level.

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The emporium is home to a decadent dessert bar and cioccolateria, featuring treats such as tiramisu, tortas, panna cotta, biscotti, sfogliatella, hand-made truffles, chocolate bars and cannoli with three flavours of filling: salted caramel, ricotta and chocolate, all created by Italian Head Pastry Chef, Riccardo Falcone. A gelato bar stars 15 flavours, including Snickerone, caramelised fig and mascarpone, almond, Nutella, and mint choc chip.

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Take-away enthusiasts can select from the whole menu and meals can be delivered by Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour has added a little pizzazz to the drinking experience with Australia’s first Campari Bar that showcases an impressive line-up of cocktails, including seven spritzes and six negronis available on tap. A tap takeover by Goose Island will see an evolving six beers by the iconic brewery flowing through the venue and heralds Fratelli Fresh as the exclusive Australian partner to showcase a broad range of its craftmanship.

Another premium partner is Ross Hill Wines from Orange, NSW, which serves Fratelli’s cool-climate house wine. The wine list includes five whites, five reds and one rosé by the glass and carafe. Over 80 Australian and Italian wines by the bottle are showcased in the on-site vinoteca, ready for purchase and to be enjoyed with a meal.

The venue boasts an adult-skewed games corner, including ping pong, jenga, shuffleboard and foosball. An events calendar is packed with gastronomic experiences, including pizza, pasta and cocktail masterclasses, coffee workshops, and tastings with key partners.

Daily food and drink specials include all-you-can-eat classic pizzas on Tuesdays, $20 carafes of wine on Wednesdays, $20 endless antipasti boards on Thursdays, and a daily happy hour of $5 espresso martinis, negronis, spritzes, house beers and wine, alongside $5 classic pizzas. See the full list of daily specials here.

More information & bookings: fratellifresh.com.au/.

 **Information and Images Courtesy of Fratelli Fresh/Rockpool Dining Group – Rachel Lebihan

Fratelli Fresh Picnic Hamper
Fratelli Fresh Picnic Hamper

Connie Lambeth

The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

theaustraliatimes.com/news

literallyconnie@bigpond.com

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tatgourmetmag

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READ MORE ON THE NEW FRATELLI FRESH – DARLING HARBOUR – PLUS MORE PICS!

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BEER AND DUMPLINGS GO HAND IN HAND AT ZHOU ZHOU BAR – GOOD BEER WEEK 2018

Zhou Zhou Bar – 2 Events – MELBOURNE Good Beer Week 2018 Hitachino Dumpling Dinner, 15 May After last year’s sell-out event, guests can once again expect a delectable five-course dinner complete with matched craft beers from Japanese heavyweight, Hitachino Nest of Kiuchi Brewery. Showcasing a unique variety of craft beers, the sit-down affair will … Read more

REVIEW – MELBOURNE’S BAR SARACEN

 By Celeste Iuliano In a cosy room down Punch Lane, Joseph Abboud (Rumi, the Moor’s Head) and Ari Vlassopoulos (ex Pei Modern, Hellenic Republic) are serving up mezze with a twist, at  the new Bar Saracen. The tone is set with a photo of Lawrence of Arabia tacked to the menu board outside; expect old … Read more

AUSTRALIAN OPEN DINING SOUTHGATE STYLE

Dine Well then Water Taxi to The Australian Open! Pre Tennis Package at Pure South Dining and P.S Bar + Kitchen  Pure South Dining has been a fine dining institution for 13 years. Following their 2017 renovation and expansion over two levels, the river level of the restaurant has now been reimagined as P.S. Bar + … Read more

#GLEN GETS MOJO!

Melburnians love White Mojo, so when Helen Reizer hrpr invited us to the VIP Launch of  new White Mojo Plus+ in Glen Waverley, @we8melbourne were counting the sleeps! White Mojo is a Speciality Coffee Roaster with a unique, breakfast, brunch and dinner menu, alongside hand-roasted speciality coffee, ‘guaranteed to lift your spirits any morning of the week.’

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Words by we8melbourne

The latest addition to the booming Glen Waverley food scene is the amazing White Mojo! We had the pleasure of attending their VIP launch last week and what a pleasure it was. The front of the venue is pared back with wide windows revealing a view to the rear. We were more than excited as we walked the red carpet to to be greeted on entry by two lovely ladies! Floral installations hanging from a white panelled ceiling, are particularly eye-catching, adding to the visual appeal of this beautiful new haven for Melbourne food lovers.

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The place was buzzing with a DJ rocking some great tunes, while guests in *B+W chatted away sipping on their champers, as we took a sneak peek to the left momentarily thinking we were in heaven! A dessert table…yes!!! Think…chunks of chocolate, macaroons and other sweet delicacies! Further along we noted what could only be described as the ‘ultimate cheese platter table’… nothing could have prepared us for such a delectable spread. We savoured pretty well everything, however voted the smoked salmon as the ‘perfect palate pleaser’. 

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There’s a first for everything and the donut wall was a first for us! I mean a whole wall full of donuts? Who could say ‘no’, especially when they happened to be from **Bistro Morgan? Donut overindulgence seemed completely appropriate to fit the occasion! 

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We eventually found ourselves in the dining room, where a stunning suspended floral feature was demanding a considerable amount of attention, with guests taking advantage of such a photogenic backdrop.

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Meanwhile it was hard to ignore the large dining table overflowing with gift bags for home. Mmmmm…coffee beans, croissants, juice and more…perfect for those with sore heads the next morning.

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**@bistromorgan set up the Donut Wall and Installation

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https://www.instagram.com/whitemojo/

https://www.whitemojo.com.au/

 info@whitemojo.com.au

GLEN WAVERLEY: White Mojo Plus+

83-85 Kingsway

Glen Waverley Vic 3150

Mon to Frid 7am to 11pm

Weekends 8am to 11pm

BALWYN: White Mojo Speciality Coffee & Roaster

182-184 Whitehorse Rd

Balwyn Vic 3103

Mon to Frid 7am – 4pm

Weekends 8am to 5pm

CITY: White Mojo Speciality Coffee & Roaster

115 Hardware St

Melbourne Vic 3000

Mon to Fri 7am – 4pm

weekends 8am – 5pm

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Additional Information & Images Courtesy of White Mojo/Helen Reizer hrpr

Images:  we8melbourne & Matt Breckenridge

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News –  GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @tatgourmetmag

View further pics on the Launch of White Mojo Glen Waverley…

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‘THE GREEN EVOLUTION’ AT MARLFIELD HOUSE

IRELAND

A Luxury Country House Hotel in County Wexford…

Words by Sindy Chan/Images Courtesy of Troy Nam

Sindy Chan is a ‘travelling gourmand’, sharing her international culinary adventures with readers!

Dining Irish is sumptuous and tasty, yet with a hefty focus on meat. Four-star hotel Marlfield House, has taken a giant step forward, creating balanced Irish meat dishes in palettes of home-grown herbs, vegetables and edible flowers from the kitchen garden, which I’ve labelled ‘The Green Evolution’.

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After our pre-dinner tour of the edible garden, with Margaret Bowe, from the ‘owner family’, we were ready to sip on a cocktail! There were a variety of choices, all refreshing and appetising, with one aptly named Peacock Mimosa, inspired by ‘George’ the resident peacock. There’s also a Gin Special – Cocktail of the Month.

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Historic Marlfield House has two dining options – the fine-dining Conservatory Restaurant and our choice of the casual dining at The Duck Terrace Restaurant both offering a diversified menu.

Main Course

The Duck Terrace Restaurant’s signature dish Magrat Duck Breast, sauté baby potato, wilted spinach, balsamic mushrooms & Raspberry jus (€32) features sweetness of duck meat with the tastiest spinach.

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Chef’s successful twist of ‘fish & chips’ in oriental flavour Tempura of Haddock, Asian carrot, & lime slaw, house fries, tartar sauce (€16) is a very popular choice. (See pic below)

Mildly flavoured Irish meat dish Slaney Valley Rump of Lamb, turmeric, vegetable and pea couscous, tomato salsa, feta cheese (€26) perfectly blends with freshly-picked home-grown produce.

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Wine pairing

Seafood or meat, the two recommended French wines worked very well either way.

Irish coffee

After dinner, Hotel Manager, Greg Murphy, walked us to the hotel main house where we watched young Lorcan O’Shea preparing authentic Irish coffee for us – coffee and whiskey in the right proportion were mixed, then a floating layer of silky Irish cream was added.

Lorcan O’Shea making Irish coffee

chansindy.cd@gmail.com

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Events

 www.theaustraliatimes.com/news

 literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for additional information on Marlfield House and region, plus more pics…

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Welcome Back to Saké Shaun Presland!

Rockpool Dining Group welcomes Shaun Presland back to the fold, as Saké Executive Chef, and Resident Chef at Saké The Rocks. Shaun was a key member of the launch team of the first Saké Restaurant & Bar in The Rocks in 2008, and oversaw the broader group of Saké restaurants in Double Bay, Hamer Hall … Read more

Rosetta Brings Sophisticated Italian Dining Experience to Sydney

Rosetta Opens in Sydney Tuesday 15th August

Rockpool Dining Group’s Rosetta Ristorante will radiate Italian coastal elegance and deliver a sophisticated dining and bar experience over three levels, plus a panoramic outdoor terrace, when it opens for dinner on Tuesday, 15 August.

Rosetta Sydney has a delightful seafood riff that sets it apart from its award-winning Melbourne sister. An easy-going gracefulness spans a curvaceous ground floor dining room, with a sweeping terrace and bar that overlook the city with views to the harbour. Stairs lead to a split-level bar, then on to a sensuous mezzanine dining room creating multi-functional spaces for business meetings, celebrations, after-work drinks and exclusive events.

The menu charts an adventurous seafood course through crudo, antipasti, pizzette, pasta and secondi, showcasing produce from sustainable suppliers and farmers, including Marine Stewardship Certified yellowfin tuna landed in Mooloolaba, and King George Whiting, John Dory and squid from Corner Inlet, Victoria.

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Beautiful milk-fed veal from southern NSW is the hero meat component, punctuating the menu in dishes such as vitello tonnato, veal tartare, osso bucco and cotoletta.

Contorni such as Sicilian caponata and baby carrots with stracciatella, embody the group’s philosophy of selecting the finest produce and handling it in a simple and respectful manner. A heavenly collection of house-made dolci, including cassata, cannoli, panna cotta and Torta di Verona, is flirtatiously Italian in every way. True to Rosetta’s Italian roots, bread and pasta are made in-house every day.

Torta di Verona

Playful aperitivo cocktails, such as the Cold Drip Café Americano and slushy Sgroppino, usher in a drinks menu that oozes la dolce vita. Bellinis are a centrepiece, rotating seasonally with different fresh fruit blends. The drinks list also includes  aperitivos, digestivos, a bitters section with five variations of Negroni, classic Italian and local beers, over 30 gins and an extensive collections of whisky (and whiskey), grappa, brandies and rum.

Rosetta’s wine list is an exploration of the regions of Italy showcasing the classics and some of the more diverse. Home grown Italian varietals feature throughout with many local favourites rounding out the selection.

Margherita Pizzette

Rosetta Ristorante: 118 Harrington Street, Sydney. 02 8099 7089. rosettarestaurant.com.au.
Lunch: Monday-Sunday 12-3pm. Dinner: Monday-Saturday 6-11pm, Sunday 6-10pm. Terrace Bar & Mezzanine Bar: all day dining.

Information Courtesy of Rosetta/Rockpool Dining

Images: Jason Loucas

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Hospitality/Events

Enquiries: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for Additional Information on Interior Design, Bars and Sultry Vibes at the new Rosetta Sydney…

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New Culinary Hub for Melbourne’s Outer North East

Eastridge Entertainment Precinct opens new gateway to the Yarra Valley

Eastridge Entertainment Precinct (EEP) is the first premium culinary hub in the outer-north east area, with the precinct housing three new venues – Carne Grill, The Precinct Bar and The Bosses Boots Café.

Located at the door to the Yarra Valley, the precinct as a whole will act as a gateway to the area, not only for local residents, but for the millions who travel to and from the Yarra Valley annually. 

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Carne Grill, seating up to 240 guests, is the jewel in the precinct crown, where stylish dining meets rambunctious feasting. The premium feasting style menu focuses on the finest local pork, beef, lamb, poultry and seafood, flame and charcoal grilled to perfection. The hero ‘Let Us Create the Feast’ set menus are available for four people or more, from $25 per person, and include carnivore and seafood options. ‘The Big Board’ allows guests to choose from three of 11 main options, and comes with two sauces and hand cut chips. If sharing isn’t your thing, try the pasture fed dry aged rib eye, 1kg T-bone, whole crayfish, or a pasta dish, with sides of course. The wine list is proudly 7/8 Australian, with a third of the varietals sourced from the local Yarra Valley region.

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The Precinct Bar is an oasis for drinks, no matter what the time of day, with an extensive list of cocktails, local craft beer, and wine, served with a side of bar snacks for those who are peckish.

At The Bosses Boots Café, open for breakfast and lunch seven days per week, home baked breads are hero, sandwiching gourmet ingredients like miso glazed pork belly, pickled cucumber, shaved carrot, and watercress; and New York deli ciabatta with mortadella, sopressa, smoked ham, cheddar and green pickle. For breakfast think wild mushrooms on brioche, wilted kale, smoked ricotta, and fried eggs. Salads, burgers and grazing platters are also available, plus cold spun juices and smoothies. A rustic picnic pack is also available to grab and go.

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Eastridge Entertainment Precinct 1 East Ridge Drive
Chirnside Park VIC 3116

Information & Images Courtesy Eastridge Entertainment Precinct/Carne Grill/Kayla Baggio – Kate & Co

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Hospitality/Events

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

READ ON FOR EEP CONTACT DETAILS & FURTHER INFORMATION…

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Culinary Excellence in the Heart of Old Lille

Culinary Excellence in the Heart of Old Lille Fine Dining in France Words by Sindy Chan/Images Courtesy of Troy Nam Rouge Barre Lille 50 rue de la Halle 59000 Lille France  https://www.rougebarre.fr/en/  On a quiet street in the heart of old Lille, French Top Chef Steven Ramon and his team at Rouge Barre deliver true, sincere and … Read more