The Australia Times

SYDNEY’S ROCKPOOL DINING GROUP VENUES PROVIDE BEST SEATS IN THE CITY FOR ‘VIVID’

20 August 202229 May 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Vivid Winter Festival Sydney – till 17 June

Sydney is set to be transformed into a kaleidoscope of neon light now and right up until Saturday, 17 June, for the world’s largest winter festival: Vivid. Those watching this exquisite display can do so in style, from one of Rockpool Dining Group’s perfectly located venues around the city.

Grosvenor Place, CBD and Darling Harbour
Rosetta, located directly in front of the Vivid display at Grosvenor Place, will extend Aperitivo Hour from 3pm to 7pm, every weekday throughout the festival. Guests can snuggle up on Rosetta’s heated outdoor terrace while sipping on a $10 aperol spritz, negroni, espresso martini, house wine or beer. A selection of $10 salumi and antipasti are also available. The restaurant will open early from 5pm for à la carte dining. A two-course Vivid set menu ($49pp) is also available until 6pm every day.

Opening just in time for Vivid, Burger Project Black Label is also located in the Grosvenor Place precinct making it an ideal pit-stop for Vivid-goers hoping for a quick fix. A deluxe burger menu, house-made salads, gourmet chips and dips are available to eat in or take away. Harbour-side Vivid goers can head down to Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour, which will open just in time for Vivid, and grab themselves a take-away picnic basket, or sit and enjoy views from the beer garden. Happy Hour kicks off from 4pm every weekday, with $5 negronis, martinis, spritzes and pizzas. Fratelli is also offering a delicious three-course set menu ($40pp) and bottomless cocktails ($29pp) every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the month. Fratelli Macquarie Street, Bridge Street, Westfield and Walsh Bay are other great Vivid locations.

Burger Project's Spicy Fried Chicken Katsu with chips & Young Henry's beer — Burger Project’s Spicy Fried Chicken Katsu with chips & Young Henry’s beer

Jade Temple, located in and amongst all the Vivid light action, is opening early from 5pm for à la carte dining. A three-course Vivid set menu ($45pp) is also available until 6pm, every day. It includes a cocktail on arrival, choice of three entrees, three mains, and a duck egg custard spring roll for dessert.

Inner city and Circular Quay
Before seeing the lights, take advantage of Spice Temple’s $12 cocktail hour specials. Every weekday from 4pm to 6pm, guests can choose from a selection of $12 Zodiac cocktails, $9 house wines, and $7 beers. Customers can also explore the bar menu featuring five exquisite $12 noodle dishes available every day, as well as à la carte options, from an earlier opening time of 5pm. A three-course Vivid set menu ($49pp) is also on offer.

Rockpool Bar & Grill has created a stunning, Vivid inspired Margarita ($19). The Bubblegum Patrón Tequila is shaken with bespoke myrtle shrub and fresh lemon juice, topped with a plume of native mint bubbles. In addition to a beautiful à la carte menu, a three-course Vivid set menuis available, and will be served from the early opening time of 5pm. All day dining will also be available from the bar, with a special offer of wood fire grilled cheeseburger with house pickle and lager ($22).

Overlooking Circular Quay and offering one of the best seats in Sydney to see the lights, Bar Patrón by Rockpool has added a special gin & tonic to the menu. The G&T&T ($19) combines grapefruit, tequila, tonic and fresh lime, and is available throughout Vivid. Guests can dine à la carte, or from a four-course Vivid set menu available from the early opening time of 5pm.

The Rocks
Saké Restaurant & Bar will open earlier than usual from 5pm, and serve its usual à la carte options, as well as an exclusive Vivid set menu ($55pp) including Hiramasa kingfish, prawn shumai, shiokoji chicken and tofu cheesecake. The Cut Bar & Grill also has a Vivid pre-light offer ($59pp), available from the early opening time of 5pm. Pre-Vivid diners will also be given a house-made chocolate biscuit to take away.

Saké Fried Prawn Shumai with spicy mayo & chives

The Argyle has teamed up with Belvedere Vodka to bring guests Light The Night, Friday, 25 May. Dance music icons, The Potbelleez, will take to the stage, and the venue will be transformed into an adult playground with a dazzling light-show makeover. Doors open at 7pm and entry is free before 9pm. Take advantage of the happiest hours of the week next door at El Camino Cantina, with $7.50 Margaritas, craft beers, house tequila and house wine from Monday to Friday between 5-7pm. This late-night hangout has its own fluorescent light show 365 days of the year, making it the perfect Vivid dining destination.

For more information and bookings: rockpooldininggroup.com.au/vivid-dining/.

**Information & Images Supplied Courtesy of Rockpool Dining Group – Georgie Meredith

*Title Photo: El Camino ‘Rita’

Connie Lambeth

The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

theaustraliatimes.com/news

literallyconnie@bigpond.com

connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

Bar Patron by Rockpool — Bar Patrón by Rockpool

See here for more pics…

FRATELLI FRESH UNVEILS HUGE HARBOUR-SIDE FOOD AND DINING EMPORIUM

22 October 202222 May 2018 by Connie Lambeth

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Connie Lambeth

The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

theaustraliatimes.com/news

literallyconnie@bigpond.com

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

Two-Day Grand Opening Beer Carnival & Fun Fair Experience – The Bavarian Beerhaüs

29 August 202222 May 2018 by Connie Lambeth

The Bavarian Beerhaüs celebrates launch with fun fair fuelled weekend – BRISBANE Six local brew masters take over the bar Roll up! Roll up! The Bavarian Beerhaüs opens at the RNA Showgrounds Brisbane on Friday, 25 May followed by a two-day grand opening beer carnival and fun fair experience over the launch weekend. Located in … Read more

The Bavarian Beerhaüs Opens RNA Showgrounds Brisbane – Friday 25 May

10 October 202221 May 2018 by Connie Lambeth

The Bavarian Beerhaüs brings 40 beers and carnivalesque escapades to Brisbane The Bavarian Beerhaüs turns on the taps to Queensland’s best selection of beer and a fairground-inspired eating and entertainment experience when it opens at the RNA Showgrounds at 11am on Friday 25th May. Located in the Showgrounds’ refurbished dining precinct, King Street Co-Op, at … Read more

ROCKPOOL DINING GROUP FORECASTS ROBUST GROWTH

20 August 20223 May 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Rockpool Dining Group forecasts robust growth, locks in strong pipeline of new openings Quadrant Private Equity’s Rockpool Dining Group, Australia’s largest and most awarded dining group, is expecting greater than 30 percent top-line and EBITDA growth this financial year and is on track to meet its five-year goal of becoming Australia’s first $1 billion dining … Read more

El Camino Cantina and Bar Patrón by Rockpool Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

20 August 20221 May 2018 by Connie Lambeth

El Camino Cantina and Bar Patrón by Rockpool – Sydney El Camino Cantina and Bar Patrón by Rockpool are planning to remember Cinco de Mayo with a tequila-flavoured line-up of menu specials, $7.50 Margaritas all day, every day, $1000 worth of prize giveaways and a final fiesta to knock your sombreros off. El Camino Cantina … Read more

ROCKPOOL BAR & GRILL, SPICE TEMPLE & ROSETTA UNVEIL PRODUCER SERIES – MELBOURNE

20 August 202219 April 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Rockpool Bar & Grill, Spice Temple and Rosetta restaurants Rockpool Dining Group’s premium Melbourne restaurants are paying tribute to Victoria’s bountiful, seasonal harvests with a Producer Series of events that span regional and seasonal dinners, wine pairing menus and hands-on cooking classes and culinary experiences. Headlining the Producer Series this May is a Rockpool Bar … Read more

THE ARGYLE SHAKES THINGS UP – KICKING OFF EASTER SATURDAY

6 September 202227 March 2018 by Connie Lambeth

The Argyle – Sydney World-class DJs, espresso cocktail pop-up bar and $10 happy hour menu The Argyle is turbocharging Sydney’s night life with a line-up of world class DJs, an exclusive espresso cocktail pop-up bar and $10 happy hour cocktail menu. Kicking off over the Easter long weekend the club’s two floors, six bars and … Read more

Burger Project Takes it to a new level at Bourke Street

13 November 202216 January 2018 by Connie Lambeth

New Two-Storey Burger Project for Melbourne Welcome back from holiday Melbourne, and meet your new Burger Project, which offers the same legendary burgers, premium quality and fast service alongside enhancements that make the experience all the more rewarding. The new, two-storey Burger Project at Bourke Street opened on 10th January, ushering in customer experiences across … Read more

ROCKPOOL FOUNDATION LAUNCHES SWEET TREAT PROJECT TODAY

13 September 202215 November 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Rockpool Foundation launches Sweet Treat Project to deliver gifts to children in foster care

Rockpool Bar & Grill Passionfruit Pavlova — Rockpool Bar & Grill
Passionfruit Pavlova

Rockpool Foundation, the official charity arm of Rockpool Dining Group, has today launched the Sweet Treat Project, which aims to raise at least $75,000 over the festive season to provide children in foster care with personalised gifts.

From Wednesday, 15 November to midnight on Tuesday, 26 December, $1 from every dessert sold across all 58 Rockpool Dining Group restaurants in NSW, Victoria and Queensland will be donated to the Rockpool Foundation’s Sweet Treat Project.

Rockpool Foundation will work with foster care agencies in each state to tailor 250 gifts, each to the value of $300, to every child’s specific needs and circumstances. Gifts could be anything from music lessons, to art supplies and sporting equipment.

Saké The Rocks Dragon Egg Dessert — Saké The Rocks
Dragon Egg Dessert

From Rockpool Bar & Grill’s famous Passionfruit Pavlova and Saké Restaurant & Bar’s decadent Dragon Egg, to the much-loved Fratelli Fresh Banoffee Torta, El Camino Cantina’s cinnamon-dusted Churros with salted caramel sauce and Burger Project’s irresistible soft serve desserts, everyday sweet treats for diners will be converted into meaningful treats for disadvantaged kids.

Spice Temple - Three Milk Cake with dried raspberries, pistachio & almond — Spice Temple – Three Milk Cake with dried raspberries, pistachio & almond

Other Rockpool Dining Group restaurants participating in the Sweet Treat Project are Rosetta Ristorante, Spice Temple, Jade Temple, Ananas, Munich Brauhaus, Bavarian Bier Café, The Bavarian, Saké Jr and Fratelli Famous.

Saké Restaurant Flinders Lane - Tofu Cheesecake — Saké Restaurant Flinders Lane – Tofu Cheesecake

Rosetta Melbourne Baked Chocolate Mouse with caramelised pears — Rosetta Melbourne
Baked Chocolate Mouse
with caramelised pears

Every dessert on every menu is included in the Sweet Treat Project.

Diners who purchase a dessert at one of the Group’s restaurants in NSW, Victoria and Queensland during this period will receive a complimentary entry into the draw to win ‘The Ultimate Summer Dining Experience’, which recognises Rockpool Dining Group as an official restaurant partner of the 2018 Australian Open.

The Ultimate Summer Dining Experience includes :

• 4 x day-session tickets for the 2018 Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena for two consecutive days (valued at $3600)

• $5000 Qantas voucher to use on flights and accommodation

• $1000 voucher for Rockpool Bar & Grill at the Australian Open

• $150 meal voucher for Burger Project at the Australian Open

• 2 x $750 dining vouchers for Rockpool Dining Group’s premium Melbourne restaurants: Saké, Spice Temple or Rosetta Ristorante

• Meet & greet with Rockpool Dining Group Culinary Director, Neil Perry

Burger Project Christmas Soft Serve — Burger Project
Christmas Soft Serve

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

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

E: connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

W: editorcsl.com

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