The Australia Times

Cherry Blossom Season with Celebratory Cocktails at Saké

9 December 20224 September 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Saké Celebrates the Arrival of Cherry Blossom Season Saké Restaurant & Bar is gearing up for its annual, month-long Cherry Blossom celebrations of all that spring and the new season has to offer… The celebrations run from Monday 4th – Saturday 30th September and kick off with the release of a range of gorgeous, seasonal cocktails designed by Rockpool Dining Group’s National … Read more

Keti Shines a Light on Durif and Muscat from the Winemakers of Rutherglen

12 September 202231 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Durif and Muscat – Winemakers of Rutherglen

**Last week Keti Kezunovic headed to ‘Rutherglen in the City’ to taste and learn more about the iconic Rutherglen wine region’s unique wine varietals. As co-owner of the Melbourne Bars Pawn and Co., 29th Apartment and the soon to be opened StoryVille, Keti knows a thing or two about wine, and couldn’t wait to meet a few of the winemakers and discover more about Durif and Muscat.

Words & Photos by Keti Kezunovic – Caption Image by Georgie James

‘Rutherglen in the City’ showcased sparkling reds, primarily Shiraz and Durif, as well as a range of alternative whites. We were keen to discover more about Durif and Muscat, which seem to be the champion wines of the Rutherglen region, which provides the perfect environment for these particular grape varieties, primarily as a result of the long Autumn allowing a prolonged ripening process.

Muscat

Chris Pfeiffer, winemaker and owner of Pfeiffer Wines (pfeifferwinesrutherglen.com.au), considers this variety as ‘Australia’s most unique contribution to wine’, adding:

“No other region in Australia has Muscat’s at this champion level”.

History is the key for this variety, as the minimum cellaring is 6-10 years ageing, through to over 100 years. Such long cellared batches are basically for the next generation to nurture and continue the process. The flavour profile consists mainly of a pronounced raisin taste, and is very sweet on the palate. The older the muscat, the more complex the flavour profile, where notes of toffee emerge.

Paul Squires from Buller Wines (bullerwines.com.au), had a tip for an unbeatable dessert, suggesting to pour muscat over vanilla bean ice-cream. Interestingly, Pfeiffer had a more eclectic suggestion of pairing this wine with a tomato based carpaccio. Now there’s two hot tips from for the kitchens of the winemakers!

Durif

Warrabilla Wines (warrabillawines.com.au), chief winemaker, Andrew Sutherland Smith, calls his 2014 Reserve Durif , ‘The Mother of all Durifs”. At a whopping 16.5% alcohol, it certainly is!

Although this wine is strong and rich on the palate, with big bold flavours, the grapes are very thin skinned, making this variety difficult to grow. Great skill and precision is needed to ensure that this variety of red wine grapes make it to harvest time. Smith is a fifth generation winemaker, so has a substantial degree of experience to draw on.

Durif is tipped to be the new upcoming variety, with other Australian regions starting to release their own versions. However the Durif growers from Rutherglen seemed to have really cornered the market on this particular variety.

**At the recent ‘Rutherglen in the City’, Melburnians showed great interest in both Durif and Muscat – two distinct varietals that flourish in the Rutherglen soils and represent both the region’s tradition and innovation. Revered world-wide for its fortified wines, the Winemakers of Rutherglen are trying new ways with Muscat, with a range of Muscat cocktails on offer…think Muscat Coolers, Muscat Sangria and Muscat Espresso Martinis.

The Winemakers of Rutherglen are an inspiring collective of 19 wineries from one of Australia’s most historic and iconic wine regions, boasting more than 150 years of winemaking history.

Check out more online or head to the cellar door this weekend!

Instagram & Facebook: @winerutherglen

www.winemakers.com.au

Additional Information & Images Courtesy of Winemakers of Rutherglen/Jarryd Pentony – Little Big MarketingPR/Photographer Georgie James

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

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

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Keti Kezunovic:

29th Apartment – www.29thapartment.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/29thapartment/

@29thapartment

Pawn and Co. – pawnandco.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/PawnAndCo/

@pawnandco

**Keti’s last collaboration with TAT Gourmet News:

Gourmand’s Celebrate Williamstown’s Wine and Cheese Festival

www.theaustraliatimes.com/magazine/gourmet/issue/411/#46

Additional pics…

19 WINERIES LAND IN MELBOURNE LANEWAY!

13 September 202229 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Winemakers of Rutherglen

Words by Celeste Iuliano

**Melbourne Events writer, Celeste Iuliano, hit the laneways of Melbourne a few days ago, to sample wines of the Rutherglen region at the launch of ‘Rutherglen in the City’.

What could be more Melbourne (and more Rutherglen too, we soon discover!), than a boozy picnic under the temperamental night sky?

Last weekend, 25th to 27th August, our cosmopolitan city was offered a taste of the country, with a pop-up wine bar in The Strand Melbourne’s Driver Lane. ‘Rutherglen in the City’ was brought to you by the Winemakers of Rutherglen, an association of 19 wineries with more than 150 years of heritage.

Younger Melburnians may associate Rutherglen with childhood trips; those happy weekends spent eating Dutch pancakes while mum and dad indulged in a few glasses of wine. However this image of Rutherglen as a very traditional wine region is rapidly changing. Rutherglen is now attracting a more diverse crowd, with its bold and iconic wine varieties. The region is known for it’s durif reds, sparkling reds, alternative whites, and muscats, all of which were sampled over the 3 day event. For those feeling a little experimental, the cocktails were the thing to try – the Muscat Cooler, Muscat Sangria, and the Muscat Espresso Martini.

‘Rutherglen in the City’ was a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the region’s culture of good wine and warm hospitality. The winemakers were there to take you through the tastings and to share their stories. Some of them have up to 5 generations experience, so there was a lot to learn!

If you managed to sample this small slice of paradise in the city, no doubt you’ll be planning your trip to the cellar door soon!

Instagram & Facebook: @winerutherglen

www.winemakers.com.au

The Winemakers of Rutherglen

Images Courtesy of Thomas Bindley & Winemakers of Rutherglen/Jarryd Pentony – Little Big MarketingPR

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

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmet

Read on for additional info and pics…

FASHION+AID 2017

13 September 202229 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

FASHION+AID partners with HARROLDS

Words by Sumaiya Rizvi

At the recent red carpet Media Launch, FASHION+AID announced they are partnering with Australia’s luxury boutique department store, Harrolds, who are set to showcase the world’s finest designers at this highly anticipated event to be held on 9th of September at the Crown Palladium.

FASHION+AID 2017 celebrates it’s milestone 10th year anniversary, and is a benchmark event on the social calendar.

Harrolds is set to unveil some of latest designer master pieces and collections from Victoria Beckham, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Tom Ford, Comme des Garçons, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Valentino and Kenzo, to name a few.

This year FASHION+AID will be hosted by Dave Hughes, with the Leukaemia Foundation the charity beneficiary for the live pledge. The event will continue with it’s groundbreaking tradition to forge the fashion, music and entertainment industries in support of a worthy cause. This will be a night to remember and is expected to be an exclusive sell out event.

Tickets start from $350 per ticket, with general tables of 10 starting from $3,500 and premium tables of 10 starting from $4,500. But for the best seats in the house, you can opt for the VIP experience and take a front row table at $5,500.

The event offers a luxurious three-course meal, sipping on the finest wines, whilst witnessing one of the best fashion events of the year. And if you are up for more…there’s an exclusive ‘after party’ to be held at Bond Melbourne (@bondmelb).

**over 250 guests attended the launch at Bond Melbourne, hosted by Dave Hughes. Harrolds are the major sponsors for Fashion Aid 2017, along with Mercedes Benz and Pommery.

Sumaiya Rizvi (@melbourne_blog) is a Melbourne Events writer for The Australia Times Gourmet News and was a guest of Helen Reizer HRPR

Her last article: www.theaustraliatimes.com/news (July 4) – Interview with Acclaimed Chef Tobie Puttock – Truffle & Charcuterie Celebration Prahran Market

Additional Information Courtesy of Helen Reizer (@hellreizer)

Photography: Carly Ravenhall (@carlyravenhall)

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

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

MORE PICS FROM THE MEDIA LAUNCH OF FASHION+AID…

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

Lunch on the Run with Saké’s Bento Box Express Lunch

13 September 202222 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Saké’s Bento Box Express Lunch

Review by Celeste Iuliano…”a real stand-out”.

It can be hard to grab a satisfying lunch on the run. The good news is that you can ditch your sad servo sandwich, because Saké Restaurant & Bar has recently launched the Bento Box Express Lunch at their five locations across Melbourne and Sydney.

Part of Australia’s largest dining group, Rockpool Dining Group, Saké upholds the brands’ reputation for quality and innovation. Their bento box is a creative and refined taken on the traditional Japanese workers’ lunch, featuring modern classics prepared with fresh ingredients. The many elements of a bento box naturally guarantee that you’ll be spoilt for choice, however Saké’s version rotates on occasions to keep things interesting!

The Bento Box currently on offer comes with miso soup, sashimi, nasu dengaku (miso-glazed eggplant), popcorn shrimp, and ginger garlic chicken. It’s hard to know where to begin when everything looks so good. Fortunately you’ll start your meal off with a generous serving of warm, slightly salty edamame seasoned with nori chilli. These humble soybeans are a favourite snack in Japan, where people often enjoy them with a good beer at their local izakaya. Saké offers two fantastic Coedo beers on tap to help you wash them down – Shiro, a smooth white beer with a hint of banana, and the sharper Marihana.

Once you’ve whet your appetite, you’re ready for the main event! The nasu dengaku has a deliciously sticky coating with 5 types of sesame seeds, and is a fantastic introduction to the bento box. As for the chicken, it’s sous-vide for 12 hours then flash fried to give the skin a light crisp. Its flavours are delicate, with the mushrooms in the dipping sauce giving it a nice umami. Of course, the seafood is the hero of the meal. The sashimi is fresh, with the salmon being a personal highlight, and the popcorn shrimp is a fun addition – springy and chewy with the light acidity of yuzu juice cutting through the creamy coating.

You’ll definitely be feeling full and happy at this point, but there’s always room for dessert. The final element of the lunch is a delicious scoop of green tea ice-cream, made fresh in-house every 2 days.

This is an express lunch, so of course you can take it away to enjoy in the comfort of your office. But, if you find yourself with some time up your sleeve, there’s no better way to escape these cold winter days than by savouring your meal in the transportive restaurant. The choice is yours.

The Bento Box Express Lunch is available daily from 12pm-3pm at all Saké restaurants

sakerestaurant.com.au

**Celeste Iuliano was a guest of Saké Restaurant & Bar, Flinders Lane, Melbourne. She is a regular writer for The Australia Times Gourmet News, and loves nothing better than checking out the latest menus and tasty morsels around her city, as well as attending awesome events, sharing her experiences with readers. Her last fab review? The Donut & Beer Fest!

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Images Courtesy of Thomas Bindley/Saké Restaurant & Bar/Michelle Campbell – Minc Communications/Rockpool Dining Group

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

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @tatgourmetmag

**Read on for the Bento Box Express Lunch Menu & Additional Pics…

FEAST ON A MIDDLE EASTERN THEMED MENU AT TRUNKTOWN

13 September 202221 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

New Middle Eastern themed menu launched recently at Melbourne’s Trunk Restaurant & Bar…

Trunk

275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

The new Middle Eastern themed menu at Melbourne’s Trunk Restaurant and Bar is going down a treat with Melbourne food lovers, with founding owner, Nick Kutcher, predicting this ancient cuisine as about to have a renaissance.

“It’s clear Middle Eastern food is picking up momentum in 2017. International chef, Yotam Ottolenghi, visited Australia this year, and there was a lot of interest around his use of Middle Eastern flavours – it really pushed the cuisine into the spotlight. Places like Tulum are further putting the spotlight on Middle Eastern food.”

“Modern day Middle Eastern food is inspired by so many different countries – it’s incredibly diverse and many people might not realise this. Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Iran, and Israel, all play a part in the kaleidoscope of flavours found in Middle Eastern food.”

“It’s been a fascinating cuisine to explore at Trunk Restaurant and Bar. The colourful Persian jewelled rice, served with pistachio crusted chicken is such a pretty dish; it’s definitely one of my favourite additions,” said Kutcher.

Other highlights from the Middle Eastern menu include tuna tartare with sashimi grade tuna, burghul, pomegranate, taramasalata, quail egg, and crisps; Bastilla with confit duck, dates, walnuts, cinnamon, radicchio and beetroot salad; and char grilled octopus with merguez, smoked paprika, potatoes, peppers and walnuts.

For dessert, try the highly Instragrammable Arabian Pavlova, a rosewater meringue piled high with pistachio semifreddo, halva, Turkish delight, and berries.

For a more casual offering, Trunk Diner – located adjacent to Trunk Restaurant – serves American-style breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks 7 days a week from a stand-alone kitchen and bar. Trunk Diner seats 60.

And it’s not all about the food; guests from the restaurant, bar and diner spill out into the CBD’s biggest outdoor beer garden – Trunk Beer Garden – with 14 tap beers, 30 speciality cocktails, and more than 100 different wines on offer.

Kick off the night with an indulgent Espresso Martini, with 5 creations, including the Ferrero Rocher (Frangelico, Wyborowa vodka, cold-drip coffee, choc-hazelnut wafer, chocolate floss) and the Salted Caramel, (house-infused caramel vodka, Kahlua, caramel, cold-drip coffee, chocolate pretzel rim). For a Middle Eastern twist, try the Rose Martini (Melbourne Gin Company gin, grapefruit, lemon, eau de rose, and pistachio crumb).

A private dining option is also available at Trunk’s Rintel Room – an intimate event space hosting up to 60 guests. The Restaurant and Bar, Diner, Beer Garden, or the entire venue can be reserved for events.

Restaurant and Bar: Open every day 12.00pm until late

Trunk Diner and Trunk Beer Garden: Open weekdays 7.30am until late; Weekends 8.00am until late

Trunk

Ph: 03 9663 7994

E: info@trunktown.com.au

W: www.trunktown.com.au

Instagram @trunktown

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Information & Images Courtesy of Trunk/Kate & Co – Hayley Edwards

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

Follow us on Instagram @tatgourmetmag

Read on to check out the back story of Trunk…

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…

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