The Australia Times

CHEFS GALLERY ANNOUNCE MASSIVE MENU MAKEOVER

13 September 202213 November 2017 by Connie Lambeth

CHEFS GALLERY RESTAURANTS – SYDNEY

Chefs Gallery, Sydney’s favourite contemporary Chinese Restaurant Group, continue to revolutionise Asian cuisine with their biggest menu update in seven years. Available now is a mouth-watering range of tantalising new menu items exclusive to each restaurant location in Town Hall, Macquarie, Bankstown, Parramatta and Hurstville.

With each restaurant offering its own exclusive selection of dishes, customers are now able to walk into any Chefs Gallery location across Sydney and have a wholly unique culinary experience.

Fans of Chefs Gallery’s hugely popular classic menu can rest assured – the old favourites are all still there, with plenty receiving scrumptious upgrades, delicious new additions, and updated flavours.

“We’re thrilled to introduce this thoughtful new selection of spectacular dishes, largely influenced by each neighbourhood where we reside, from the suburbs of Sydney to the cities of China. Each dish is a brilliant compliment to all the favourites that have been loved and devoured over the years,” said Chefs Gallery Owner Kaisern Ching.

Here’s a taste of what’s on offer at each location:

TOWN HALL

Diners can look forward to a mind-blowing blend of classic Asian cuisine with contemporary twists, including delicately sweet jumbo king prawns steamed atop a light bed of sake and egg white custard, topped with black tobiko, plus Fujian style blue swimmer crab, served with dried and fresh scallop fried rice and housemade XO sauce.

MACQUARIE

Macquarie Centre’s braised and deep fried quail on the bone is an elevated take on a classic Chinese quail dish, and the duet of long red and green chillies filled with ground pork and fish paste, pan-fried to perfection, is the perfect share-plate fare.

PARRAMATTA

Parramatta’s Korean-style “mac and cheese” of rice cakes, sweet corn, butter, three cheeses, sambal and Korean chilli flakes is a flawlessly-executed fusion masterpiece, and even old-school Chinese take-out favourites get an inspiring modern update, with honeycomb chicken wings slathered in a delightfully sticky shiso, yuzu and honey glaze.

HURSTVILLE

Hurstville salutes a Cantonese classic with the wok fried Rostbiff Black Angus beef with cheung fun rice noodles, yellow garlic chives and sweet soy sauce. Vegetarians haven’t been forgotten either, with the golden battered eggplant, coated with melt-in-your-mouth salted duck egg yolk and black tobiko.

DESSERT MENU

The much-loved, innovative desserts menu has also received a delectable makeover, with a new range of irresistible treats blending traditional Asian flavours with refreshing modern influences joining the iconic Prince and Princess Piggy buns and Emoji Friends buns.

New desserts include a jaw-droppingly gorgeous deconstructed pavlova with Asian-inspired fresh and freeze-died fruits, and a French toast with peanut butter filling, toasted marshmallows, Persian fairy floss, honeycomb and housemade Hong Kong milk tea ice cream. All these desserts and more are available at all Chefs Gallery locations.

Stay in touch with Chefs Gallery:

Website: www.chefsgallery.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChefsGalleryRestaurant

Instagram: @chefsgallery

Twitter: @chefsgallery

Chefs Gallery Locations:

Town Hall – Shop 12, 501 George Street Sydney NSW 2000

Macquarie Shopping Centre – Shop 402, North Ryde NSW 2113

Bankstown – Little Saigon Plaza Ground Floor – Shop G03-06, 462 Chapel Rd Bankstown NSW 2200

Parramatta – Westfield Parramatta Ground Floor – Shop 2184, 159-175 Church St Parramatta

Hurstville – Westfield Hurstville, 256 Forest Rd entrance via The Eatery, Hurstville

**Information and Images Courtesy of Chefs Gallery/Cardinal Spin – Amy Owen

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

E: connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

W: editorcsl.com

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

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FARM FRESH DINING AT BELLBIRD DINING + BAR

13 September 202227 October 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Sydney Restaurant Launches Saturday 4th November 12pm – 2pm

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre Launches Brand New Seasonal Dining Destination

**Sydney writer Lucy Collins will be heading to next week’s launch for The Australia Times Gourmet News

It might be named after the abundant songbirds populating the adjacent riverside, but Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre’s soon-to-be-launched Bellbird Dining + Bar is anything but commonplace.

Launching on Saturday 4 November, 12 – 2pm the new seasonal dining destination spins traditional restaurant models on their heads, with an ever-changing menu offering exquisite fine dining out west – at pub prices!

With a whopping 65% of produce grown and harvested just 50 metres from the kitchen door, Bellbird Dining + Bar champions sustainability and low food miles. Paired with direct relationships with artisan suppliers from the local NSW area, it offers a genuine farm-to-table culinary experience, with all dishes $18 or under.

Having already gained a loyal word-of-mouth following, Bellbird’s official opening will be part of an exciting launch day at CPAC, with the Wendy Harmer Curates exhibition kicking off at 2PM, plus Sydney Film Festival’s monthly screening for November, the enchanting cat docco Kedi, at 4PM.

The launch is a great chance to sample Bellbird’s fantastic fare for yourself, with canapes showcasing seasonal herbs and vegetables harvested on-site alongside fresh Hawkesbury River oysters, calamari, eco-farmed pork, quail, and goat’s cheese sourced locally around NSW. Drinks will also be provided by South Western Sydney brewery Stockade Brew Co., plus wines from Artemis in the Southern Highlands.

At the helm is Cordon Bleu-trained Head Chef Federico Rekowski, best known for his 12 years at the highly-rated Courtney’s Brasserie in Parramatta. Supported by Sous Chef Steven Pham (Ex-Courtney’s Brasserie, Fish Face), Federico’s inspiring dishes blend French haute cuisine flair with contemporary Asian and South American influences.

Bellbird will be open 7 days a week from 10am – 3pm, and is raising the bar on what to expect from arts centre dining. It marks the continuation of a grand new refresh of CPAC. Bellbird also serves dinner to accompany select evening events, screenings and performances.

Event Info
What: Bellbird Dining + Bar Official Launch
When: Saturday 4 November, 12 – 2pm
Where: Casula Powerhouse, 1 Powerhouse Road, Casula NSW 2170 (don’t forget, Casula has its own train station!)

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

Information & Images Courtesy of Bellbird Dining & Bar/Cardinal Spin

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 BELLBIRD’S HEAD CHEF & SOUS CHEF, THE CPAC KITCHEN GARDEN, CASULA POWERHOUSE’S EVOLUTION, LIVERPOOL MAYOR, PLUS ADDITIONAL PICS…

Sydney Set to Celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead Festivals

13 September 202218 October 2017 by Connie Lambeth

The Argyle and El Camino Cantina celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead Sydney – The Argyle – Friday 27th October to Saturday 28th October Sydney – El Camino Cantina – Tuesday 31st October to Saturday 4th November Gather at the alters of hedonism at neighbouring late-night destinations The Argyle and El Camino Cantina as … Read more

WINE ISLAND RETURNS TO DROP ANCHOR IN SYDNEY HARBOUR!

12 September 202217 October 2017 by Connie Lambeth

‘ENJOY A DROP IN THE HARBOUR THIS NOVEMBER WHEN WINE ISLAND RETURNS TO DROP ANCHOR’ Now in its third year, Australia’s most tropical and unique wine festival, Wine Island, returns to Clark Island, Sydney Harbour from Friday 10 November – Sunday 12 November, 2017. This is the place where you can feel like you’re leaving … Read more

Pamper your Pooch at ‘Yappy Hour’ this Sunday!

13 September 202224 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Sydney Pooches ‘Paws for Yappy Hour’ at Fratelli Fresh

Pooches get ready to be pampered!

Yappy Hour launches at select Fratelli Fresh restaurants this Sunday 27th August from 3pm-5pm, and there will be free Yappitisers for you and your doggy friends.

If you’re in the vicinity of our Fratelli Fresh restaurants at Alexandria, Crows Nest, Potts Point, Walsh Bay, or the newly opened Fratelli at the Entertainment Quarter, stop for a sniff at their al fresco dining spots, and enjoy complimentary Aqua Panna water, and treats courtesy of dog food specialists Billy + Margot and Farmers Market.

During Yappy Hour, $1 from every beer, wine and cocktail sold will be donated to Furry Friends Forever Rescue*, helping pooches and other animals less fortunate than your pampered selves.

Your human companions can take advantage of their own Happy Hour from 4-6pm, and enjoy $5 wine and beer, $7.50 Negroni, and $10 select cocktails (Happy Hour is available at all Fratelli Fresh restaurants in Sydney).

While they enjoy a range of authentic antipasti, pizzas, pasta and more, the canine contingent can dig into wholesome treats, including Billy + Margot nutritious, all-natural iced treats (think: dairy-free, dog-friendly ice cream), available in three likeable flavours, and newly launched in Australia. Other treats included Farmers Market soft and chewy Meaty Bars in beef with peanut butter, and beef with cheese flavours, which are made with natural ingredients.

Fratelli’s furry friends, Bear the brown Labrador, and Harlem the leggy Great Dane-cross, have already taste-tested the doggy treats and given them a big round of appaws.

“This is a bonafide Yappy Hour deal,” says Bear. “I devoured all the treats in the shortest amount of time imaginable and they are truly pawesome, irresistible treats.”

Harlem says: “Gluttonous labradors aside, there will be plenty of treats to go round thanks to our generous friends Billy + Margot and Farmers Market, and we encourage you to take advantage of our pawsitively lovely, pooch-friendly, al fresco dining spaces at Fratelli Fresh.”

Book your table: fratellifresh.com.au/reservations/

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

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

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @tatgourmetmag

Read on to find out participating Fratelli Fresh restaurants, plus info on Furry Friends Forever Rescue…

Australia’s Most Opulent Champagne Lunch!

13 September 202223 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

SYDNEY FOOD & CHAMPAGNE LOVERS… Saké Double Bay offers free-flowing Dom Pérignon at Australia’s most opulent Champagne lunch, from Saturday 26th August. Saké Restaurant & Bar Double Bay is dialling up the decadence with free-flowing Dom Pérignon, where from Saturday, 26 August, guests can indulge in a carefully curated lunch menu ($75pp) every Saturday and … Read more

Fratelli Fresh Brings Fresh Italian Flavours to the Entertainment Quarter

11 December 202218 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Sydney Food Lovers…

Fratelli Fresh brings fresh Italian flavours, hand-tossed pizzas and a craft beer garden to the Entertainment Quarter Saturday 19 August 11.30am!

Rockpool Dining Group will bring casual Italian dining, the city’s largest selection of Italian craft beers, and a spacious indoor-outdoor beer and wine garden to Sydney’s Eastern suburbs with the opening of Fratelli Fresh at the Entertainment Quarter.

On Saturday, 19 August, the latest Fratelli Fresh will unveil a magnificent al fresco drinking and dining experience at 11.30am. A lush and leafy indoor-outdoor Italian beer and wine garden, and an inviting open kitchen, are the heart and soul of this venue, which accommodates over 300 guests.

The menu is perfect for a swift, pre-game meal, a quick wood-fired pizza before a movie, or long lingering lunches and dinners with family and friends. In addition to authentic, hand-tossed pizzas, the menu features Fratelli classics, including its famous zucchini flowers, lamb ragu and gnocchi.

All Fratelli meals are best ended on a sweet note, with house-made tiramisu, signature banoffee torta, Fratelli rocher cannoli, plus a rainbow of gelato, including hazelnut and salted caramel, yoghurt and amarena, and chocolate crunch.

Fratelli Fresh Entertainment Quarter boasts the biggest line-up of beers of all the Fratelli restaurants, with 15 Italian craft beers available from Urban Craft Brewing Co, Birra del Borgo and Les Bieres Du Grand Saint Bernard.

Three bars will help keep the drinks flowing, with an emphasis on freshly made froze, as well as red, white and rose wines from the barrel, and Negronis on tap.

Happy hour kicks in every day from 4pm-6pm with $7.50 Negronis, $5 house wines and beer, and $10 selected cocktails. Kids under 12 eat free every Sunday and guests can enjoy a long lunch every Saturday and Sunday with 3 courses, plus bottomless wine, available for $59pp.

Customers across the Eastern suburbs can also indulge Fratelli-style at home or work, thanks to a delivery service by Deliveroo.

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 11.30am-midnight. https://www.fratellifresh.com.au/

Information & Image Courtesy of Fratelli Fresh/Rockpool Dining Group

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

www.theaustraliatimes.com/news

literallyconnie@gmail.com

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

Read more on the new Fratelli Fresh from Rockpool Dining Group’s CEO, Thomas Pash…

Tea Lovers Rejoice!

13 September 202216 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Sydney Tea Festival Serves Up the Best Sunday 20th August

The ultimate celebration of speciality loose leaf tea, the Sydney Tea Festival will sweep the city this Sunday 20th August. Discover, experience and connect with speciality teas from Australia and beyond.

Returning to Carriageworks, the one-day event will feature a new do-it-yourself tea blending station, and an interactive tea ceremony performance, together with a fresh program of workshops and talks hosted by leading industry experts.

THE TEA MARKET

Festival-goers can wander the tea market and taste a huge range of speciality loose teas and tisanes including premium, single origin, organic and rare teas; healthy herbal blends, chocolate, chai, and iced teas; and a range of locally grown and globally sourced teas.

Tasting tea will be a breeze with the festival’s signature porcelain cup appearing again. Valued at $5 and included in every adult ticket, this cup will allow visitors to taste their way through the day.

In addition, food on offer will cater to those seeking both sweet and savoury bites, with a range of food purveyors and trucks boasting global cuisine and tea inspired creations.

Also on the day, visitors can participate in the ‘Tea with a Stranger’ tea ceremony performance, hosted by members of Ueda Sōko Ryū Australia. Festival co-founder, Corinne Smith, describes the interactive experience as a way of facilitating deep connection, openness and communication.

“Tea with a Stranger encourages people to leave their digital self behind and step into the vulnerability of face-to-face human connection facilitated by the sharing of tea,” Smith said.

DETAILS

Date & Time: Sunday 20 August 2017 9.00am – 4.00pm

Location: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

Cost: Pre-sale adult entry $15.50 (including all fees and charges)

Door-sale entry $20.00 (plus credit card processing fees)

Workshop tickets $48.00 and Talks $15 (including all fees and charges)

Kids Under 12 Free

All tickets include a festival tasting up (valued at $5)

Visit: http://www.sydneyteafestival.com.au/

Social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sydneyteafestival/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sydneyteafestival/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/teafestivalsaus

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sydneyteafestival

Information & Images Courtesy of Nicole Warwick – Liquid Ideas/Renee Creer – Tea Festivals Australia – Photographer: Alana Dimou

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

Enquiries: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Gourmet News Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for More Pics, Additional Info on Workshops with the Tea Experts, plus Festival co-founder Renee Creer…

Rosetta Brings Sophisticated Italian Dining Experience to Sydney

11 December 202211 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

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.

Spaghetti alla chitarra, king prawns and pistachio (1)

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.

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.

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…

Smooth Festival of Chocolate in the Rocks

13 September 20229 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

The Rocks Sydney – Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th August 2017

10am to 6pm daily

The sweet cravings of chocolate lovers everywhere will be thoroughly tested this weekend at Smooth Festival of Chocolate in the Rocks! Chocolate indulgences will include gelato, popsicles, doughnuts, brownies, cheesecake, double choc cookie ice cream sandwiches, tiramisu, doughnuts, profiteroles, chocolatey desserts, nutella and salted caramel temptations, plus more treats at every turn! Then there’s the double choc cookie ice cream sandwiches…and the must try ‘smooth Chocolate Ale’, a collaboration by Endeavour Beer and Sydney Chocolate, crafted exclusively for the fest.

Exhibitors:

This year’s line-up includes amazing offerings from Black Star Pastry, Gelato Messina, Serendipity Ice Cream, Jasper & Myrtle, The Profiterole Project, The Dessert House, Dessert Jars by Rocco, The Vogue Café, Piazza D’Oro.

For the full exhibitor list, regularly updated: https://www.smooth.com.au/events/smooth-festival-chocolate-exhibitors

Highlights at this year’s festival include:

The Lindt Lounge, Cooking Demonstrations, The Baci Chocolatier’s Quarters featuring: a Pop Up Baci Chocolate Shop and over 10 artisan chocolatiers, Mr Black Espresso Martini Bar, The smooth Star’s Stage, The smooth Relaxation Station, Zumbo Ski Lodge, The Cellarmasters Touring Cellar Door, the ”Bone Shaker” moving chocolate masterpiece, and The Sydney Props Specialist Jungle Laneway.

Information & Images Courtesy of: Smooth Festival of Chocolate in the Rocks

www.smooth.com.au/smooth/festival-of-chocolate/

**Read Natalie Salvo’s article – 2016 Fest:

https://theaustraliatimes.com/magazine/gourmet/issue/411/#40

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

Email: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for Additional Information & Pics…

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