Bars

What’s On: GRAB A BITE OF VIVID SYDNEY

VIVID Sydney, an exciting festival of international and local innovation and experimentation in music and light installations, is just moments away. Running from 24 May to 10 June 2013 with many great pop-ups and dining destinations nearby, it is easy to stop for a bite and make a night of the bright lights, great music and big ideas.

Panama House at VIVID Terminal Bar

This year Bondi’s hottest eatery, Panama House, will be serving up dishes from south-of-the border at VIVID’s Terminal Bar, the hub of this year’s VIVID experience. The bar, in the Cargo Hall of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, will feature pop-up dining from a range of restaurants as well as wine, music and installations to celebrate the final weekend of the festival, 8-10 June. Munch on delicious street-food with family and friends, while taking in the best view of the silhouettes cast over the Sydney Opera House and other light installations across Circular Quay.

VIVID Terminal Bar

4pm until midnight 8,9,10 June, free entry

The Cargo Hall, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay

Featuring restaurants: Panama House, Mexicano, Bourke Street Bakery After Hours
Food available from 5.30pm
Astral Projekt light installation

Terminal Projekt, Vivid Music Events – 8,9 June
http://www.vividsydney.com/events/vivid-terminal-bar

Guillaume At Bennelong, Sydney Opera House

Where better to experience this year’s VIVID Festival than right in the centre of the action, under the lit-up sails of the Sydney Opera House. Set inside the world-renowned landmark, Guillaume At Bennelong’s restaurant and bar feature spectacular views across Sydney Harbour and the city, providing the perfect vantage point to take in the lights of VIVID. Taste dishes from the new autumn menu or enjoy signature dishes such as the basil-infused yellowfin tuna, Ranger’s Valley beef and passionfruit soufflé. Whatever you decide on, Guillaume At Bennelong combines the best of Australia’s fresh local produce with classical French influences from one of Australia’s most loved chefs, Guillaume Brahimi.

Guillaume At Bennelong

Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point

Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, lunch Thursday and Friday
http://www.guillaumeatbennelong.com.au

Ph. 02 9241 1999

ArgyleXchange – Saké Restaurant & Bar, The Cut Bar & Grill, Ananas Bar & Brasserie, The Argyle

With four extraordinary venues in one unique space, ArgyleXchange has your dining and drinking needs covered during this year’s VIVID Festival. Start with a Japanese cocktail and a side of sashimi at Saké Restaurant & Bar or champagne and oysters at Ananas Bar & Brasserie followed by French dessert. Indulge in a New York-style steak at The Cut Bar & Grill then hit the dance floor at The Argyle ‘til the early hours. With an impressive outdoor courtyard at its heart, and exceptional restaurants and bars at its soul, ArgyleXchange is the premiere one-stop dining and entertainment hub in The Rocks.

ArgyleXchange
12-20 Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney

Open seven days a week

http://www.argylexchange.com.au

Ph. 02 9009 0806

SOCIAL SPY** The Bucket List Local Produce Dinner

What better way to support our local farmers than by using local produce in our community? Well that’s exactly what The Bucket List’s Head Chef Tom Walton plans on doing.

Bondi’s popular beach-front restaurant is putting on a succession of meals using organic food as part of the Local Produce Dinner series.

“Through the dinner series we are giving guests a feast using the freshest local and seasonal produce and preparing it simply,” Tom says.

“We want to raise the awareness of the great farmers and producers we have right here on our doorstep.”

The dinners are hosted in conjunction with Food Orbit, and founder James Nathan wants to develop a bigger relationship between wholesale buyers, such as chefs and restaurateurs, to trade with local farmers, so that real food can be brought to food lovers.

“We’re giving farmers and producers an online presence and a platform to connect, build relationships and trade online with the growing number of chefs and wholesale buyer wanting their produce,” James says.

“In putting these dinners on with Tom, it’s great to get to work with a chef who shares our passion to showcase exactly that.”

Guests had the opportunity to sample goods from brewers, wineries, farmers and producers in and around Sydney, The Hawkesbury River, Southern Highlands, Leppington, Newtown and even as close as Bondi Beach – talk about eating from your doorstep!

Each dinner has a different free range meat, starting with the Free Range Lamb, but that wasn’t the only food on offer. There were a host of starters including organic mushrooms, crisp herb polenta and roast carrots.

Attendees gulped back wine from Newtown Brewery, Young Henrys, as well as a delicious sipping on a delicious 2006 Crossroads Riesling and 2008 Pinot Noir, provided by Terini Wines.

Upcoming dinners in the series include:

Free range beef – Wednesday June 5

Free range pig on a spit – Thursday July 11

Organic Free Range Chicken and Venison – Thursday July 25

Local Sustainable Seafood – August 8

Don’t miss out on trying some of the finest food that Sydney has to offer – check outhttp://thebucketlistbondi.com

Jennifer Fletcher attended the event on behalf of Sydney Social 101.

*Prices start from $80 per head inclusive of all wine, beer and sparkling water.

What’s On: People’s Choice Awards Shake Up 2013 Disaronno Mixing Star

The public will have the chance to vote for their favourite cocktail in the Disaronno Mixing Star People’s Choice Awards hosted by actor and director Gracie Otto on Wednesday 15 May 2013.

This exclusive consumer event will be held at the The Loft, Sydney at 6pm – 9pm where three bartenders will compete for the People’s Choice Awards, by showcasing their original Disaronno cocktail creations that have been inspired by a favourite film scene.

Guests can sample and judge the specialty cocktails while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres.

The top three cocktails will be chosen from 15 submissions from around Australia judged by Club Suntory (www.clubsuntory.com) and selected to compete in the Disaronno Mixing Star National Final cocktail-making competition. The final three cocktails on offer will have been judged on the quality and taste of their cocktails and their creative link to the film scene.

At the event, the three final cocktails will be available for the public to taste and decide which cocktail should win the first ever Disaronno Mixing Star People’s Choice Awards.

Where: The Loft, 3 Lime Street When: Wednesday, 15 May 2013 Time: 6pm – 9pm
Entry: Free

For more information or recipe ideas visit http://www.themixingstar.com OR http://www.facebook.com/themixingstar

SOCIAL SPY** The Crane Bar Restaurant Launch

The Crane Bar Restaurant, Sydney’s hot new Japanese eatery in Potts Point, opened its door to VIP guests and socialites last night.

Geishas and traditional Japanese drummers greeted guests on the red carpet outside the stylish restaurant.

Celebs attending the bash included X Factor host Luke Jacobz, Home & Away’s Dan Ewing and his wife Marni Little.

Taking the bar by storm, resident mixologist Thiago Santos created cocktails and also on offer was delicious Japanese canapés selected from the menu. Top chef Tiachi Ito impressively carved a 50kg fresh Tuna into bite-sized servings of sashimi.

Inside and outside the establishment was packed with attendees and the atmosphere was buzzing as a DJ pumped out upbeat tunes in the garden, which was decorated with oriental paper lanterns.

“We’ve been inundated with interest about tonight’s event and the venue in general,” Sarah Budge, co-owner said about the launch.

The venue is situated on Bayswater road and holds a 24 hours license for late night diners. Corporate and social events are also available.

For more information about the sophisticated hip new eating place go to http://www.cranesydney.com/

Sydney Social’s roving reporter Jennifer Fletcher attended the launch last night.

What’s New: YEBISU IZAKAYA OPENS IN SYDNEY’S J-VILLAGE

Yebisu, Sydney’s funkiest new izakaya bar and restaurant, has opened in Regent Place, George Street, just opposite Sydney Town Hall. Dubbed Sydney’s ‘J-Village’, the revitalised Regent Place and surrounding neighbourhood is home to a number of Sydney’s best Japanese food and drink destinations including authentic ramen soup shop Tenkomori and Sydney’s first specialist matcha teahouse Chanoma Café.

Izakaya dining is fast becoming the go-to way of eating in Sydney with Yebisu’s extensive menu covering yakitori and other grill items as well as a huge roster of other Japanese classic hits such as sushi, sashimi, hot pots, noodles and fried dishes. Specialised chefs are assigned to each style of cooking with Yebisu’s yakitori master sending out signature dishes such as chicken skewers (breast, thigh, giblet, meatball, wing or skin) plus pork belly, whole whiting or maybe baby squid. Vegetables are covered too with shiitake, water spinach and zucchini.

Leading the way in new-age restaurant technology, Yebisu also offers diners a fully integrated iPad ordering system with each table featuring its own iPad menu for customers to browse and order from. This state-of-the-art system and one of the first in Sydney allows diners to see what stage their order is at, from ‘order placed’ to ‘cooking currently’ to ‘on its way to the table’. Diners also have constant access to a running list of what food and drink has been ordered and a total cost of the bill. Interaction with waitstaff is up to you.

As well as food, you can also choose from Yebisu’s specialised sake list, several Japanese craft beers, wine and cocktails from your own personal iPad. A bespoke sake trolley also circulates the room with a specialist on hand to help navigate the extensive list. Once ordered, the sake is poured ceremoniously at the table with much fanfare, in true izakaya style.

Yebisu’s funky fit-out is boldly ‘east meets west’, reflecting the old and the new face of Japan. Traditional and obviously Japanese in its detail, the modern street art, courtesy of Coffs Harbour-based graffiti artist Ash Johnston, adds a truly urban edge. The exterior of the restaurant features brightly lit neon signage running alongside glowing paper lanterns traditionally found outside izakaya bars in Japan. Sydney-based Giant Designs are responsible for Yebisu’s impressive interiors as well as the fit out of its J-Village neighbours, Chanoma Cafe and Tenkomori.

Yebisu Izakaya is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week at Regent Place on George Street.

Yebisu Izakaya

Regent Place

501 George Street, near Bathurst Street

Sydney

http://www.regentplace.com.au

Opening hours:

Lunch seven days from 12-3pm

Dinner Sunday to Thursday from 5-11pm, Friday to Saturday from 5pm-midnight

What’s On: The mother of all champagne celebrations – Mother’s Day at ArgyleXchange

Calling all lovers of champagne! Fathers, sons and daughters, treat mum to a special Mother’s Day afternoon at the inaugural Great Dames of Champagne discovery and tasting event at Bar Ananas, the chic, Parisian-inspired venue at ArgyleXchange in The Rocks.

Try four champagnes with matched canapés throughout the afternoon, while Australia’s favourite TV champagne expert and award-winning author Jayne Powell (also known as Champagne Jayne) tells the stories of the inspirational women behind the renowned champagne houses.

The mouth-watering menu includes Moët & Chandon matched with Brandade of Cod, Veuve Clicquot with Lobster & Foie Gras Sandwich, Bollinger with Salted Caramel Éclair, and Laurent Perrier Rose with Fraisier Strawberry Sponge.

The Great Dames of Champagne event will be held on Sunday 12 May at 2pm in Bar Ananas. $75pp includes the hosted champagne discovery session and four half-glasses of champagne with matched canapés. For bookings contact ArgyleXchange Concierge.

For those looking for a special place to take mum out for Mother’s Day lunch or dinner, there are plenty of tempting options at ArgyleXchange.

Take mum on a trip to the French Mediterranean at Brasserie Ananas, open from 11am for lunch and early dinner with special dishes added to the à la carte menu by new Executive Chef Paul McGrath.

Contemporary Japanese favourite, Saké Restaurant & Bar, will be open from 11am for lunch and dinner with special menu items for the kids and creations by Executive Chef Shaun Presland especially for mum. You can make the day extra special by reserving a private room.

New York-inspired steak restaurant The Cut Bar & Grill will also open especially for Mother’s Day lunch and stay open for dinner, serving up premium cuts of steak and the freshest seafood for the whole family to enjoy, along with special dishes from Head Chef James Knight.

Anyone wishing to book should call ArgyleXchange Concierge on (02) 9009 0806 or email concierge@argylexchange.com.au

ArgyleXchange

Address: 12-20 Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000

Email: concierge@argylexchange.com.au

Phone: 02 9009 0806

Online: http://www.argylexchange.com.au

Social Spy** Rebirth of the Marly, Hotel Marlborough launches Garden Bar

1May 2013 Hotel Marlborough, Newtown

The Marly invites you to come play in its garden

Last night, Sydney Social was invited to the VIP opening of Hotel Marlborough’s new Garden Bar in Newtown.

As the name suggests, The Garden Bar is an outdoor courtyard (heated during the chillier months) that has been opened up and transformed, showing off an indoor/outdoor hangout like no other in Newtown. The interior hosts a wild mash of styles, from feminine and romantic, green and organic, to edgy exposed brick and providing a stark contrast to the Marly’s classic exterior.

Fun, fruity cocktails were served alongside tray after tray of backyard classics by new Head Chef, Ernie Priestley. Having previously worked at the Abercrombie Hotel, Norfolk Hotel, Keystone, Merivale and Universal, Ernie has packed the menu with classed-up pub favourite, heaps of vegetarian offerings and old school Aussie classics such as fish fingers and a cheese platter. We highly recommend the fried scallops!

The new refurb plays up the garden theme with lush greenery, a sweet assortment of candy colours and a whimsical love seat. Touches of exposed brick and pops of lipstick are part of the overall re-launch of the Hotel Marlborough. “We have respected the heritage of the venue on the exterior, restoring heritage cream tiles and specially hand blown green tiles – but new venue like the Garden Bar will sit a long way from what the old Marly offered,” said Paddy Coughlin, CEO of the Riversdale Group.

The Iconic establishment has a rich history with more than 150 years of trade. “I love the history of the Marly, and it’s a great looking pub. It lost its way in recent years though so we’re going to give it a fresh new focus, and the timing couldn’t be better. Newtown is undergoing a massive resurgence in terms of pubs and clubs and as biggest and one of the best positioned in the area we’re looking forward to leading the charge for change,” adds Paddy.

The night could not have been more perfect for a night in the new Garden Bar. A full house of media and VIPs and celebs including Roy Billing, Michelle Leslie and Adam Zammit, Sally Singleton, Callan Ward, Jon Giles, Stephen Coniglio, Dom Tyson, Phil Davis, Toby Greene, Stephen Gilham (AFL Players, GWS Giants) partied with Singo, Paddy Coughlan, Ned Kelly, Mark Carnegie and Geoff Dixon in celebrating the re-birth of the Marly.

The Garden Bar at the Hotel Marlborough is open from 12PM – very late seven days for a cheeky backyard bevvie and burger

Hotel Marlborough – 145 King StreetNewtownwww.marlboroughhotel.com.au

SOCIAL SPY** Toi et Moi Sydney & Le Super Shop Launch

French women have always been seen in a league of their own when it comes to elegance – they invented chic, their accent alone can turn mens legs turn to jelly and they take the fashion world by storm, so with the launch of the Toi et Moi Sydney’s latest summer collection you can now capture the magic of Parisian style right here Down Under!

Last night, the Parisian-inspired fashion label launched their cool new ‘Une Romance Moderne’ summer and ‘Metropolitain’ Resort 2013 collections at Paddington’s L’etoile Restaurant, owned by ‘My Kitchen Rules’ celebrity chef Manu Feildel.

Set against a romantic leafy backdrop, guests were ushered into the court at the back of the restaurant, decorated with flowers by Ashleigh Stewart for Clemetine Posy, for a sneak peek of the new range. Fancy hor d’oeurves and Jacob’s Creek wine made the rounds, as attendees waited with anticipation for the show to start.

Models sported Bardot-inspired hair, created by Scott Sloan of Sloans of Lane Cove, and took to the catwalk wearing statement dresses with bold print, bright colours that oozed a European style.

Guests were then wished ‘bon apetit’ as they were treated to an intimate candle-lit dinner, and big brown gift boxes were filled with goodies, including a one-off vintage vinyl frame directly from Paris itself!

Toi et Moi first entered the fashion world just over three years ago, and has since evolved from casual T-shirts to a sleek, classic women’s wear which now reaches fashionistas on a global scale, as the brand is available in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and now America – apparently items have been flying off the shelf quicker than you can say ‘oui’!

The owner, and mother of four, Gill Lawrence frequents Paris twice a year, for inspiration and in January the brand celebrated its introduction into superstore Myer.

Coinciding with the event, was the announcement of the launch of Le Super Shop, the online home of Toi et Moi Sydney and the marketplace for other cool, unique French finds, curated by Gill and her French husband, Thierry Lavirotte.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get your hands on this über cool collection which infuses French soul with a laid back Aussie twist.

For more information on Le Super Shop visit http://shop.lesupershop.com/

Sydney Social’s roving reporter Jennifer Fletcher attended the launch yesterday.

What’s On: INSEAM Fridays at The Den

Sydney Social 101 is excited to announce that theres a new night in town thats not to be missed! Held at The Den at The Ivy, it’s a cool venue in the heart of the city!

INSEAM Fridays promises the most elite service from the moment you enter the private lift and into the stunning mirror bar. With Mixologist Mike Enright originally from the leading bars of London’s West End creating the most delicious of cocktails.

INSEAM at the Den brings the smoothest sounds of the city every Friday night, spinning soul music, house and funk to dance the night away. Showcasing a special guest DJ exclusively for INSEAM guests every week.

What: INSEAM at The Den, Ivy
When: Every Friday, from 9pm
Cost: $20 cover charge
Where: Level 2, 320 George Street, Sydney 2000

Check out what everyone had to say about the Launch of INSEAM:

WHAT’S ON: DANCE LIKE EVERYBODY’S WATCHING PACHA SYDNEY – SATURDAY 4 MAY

Pacha Sydney and presenting partner Heineken® will give music-loving Pacha-goers the opportunity to be part of their very own music video on Saturday 4 May with an exciting installation called ‘The Human Equalizer’. This special night will also feature Pacha Sydney’s world-class dance performances, dazzling lightshows, a host of DJs and a smashing headline performance by Australian dance music sensation The Potbelleez.

The Heineken Human Equalizer at Pacha Sydney is the first opportunity for people at a live music event to be part of their own music video in Australia. The process is simple: Pacha revellers gather their friends and pull out their most impressive moves in the unique interactive studio situated behind the DJ booth. Their dancing displays will be filmed and then automatically uploaded onto their personal Facebook pages; allowing their friends to check out their dance moves, comment and share.

Pacha Sydney’s beat-loving dance-driven revellers will also be treated to a storming headline set by The Potbelleez. Catapulting into the Australian dance music scene as an ambitious back-to-back DJ outfit in 2003, The Potbelleez boast a back catalogue that reads like a checklist of anthems for a generation of Australian clubbers and festival goers. Back bigger and better in 2013, The Potbelleez will be performing tracks from their brand new album, including the smashing single ‘Saved In A Bottle’.

And if that’s not enough, Pacha Sydney will also offer its weekly line-up of dynamic dance performances, jaw- droppingly mad lightshows and the best of international and Australian DJs over ivy’s 10 bars, four levels and three stages. This really is a night not to be missed!

In the lead up to this exciting event, Heineken has also launched Dance Control – http://www.heineken.com.au/dancecontrol – a digital interactive platform that allows a much wider audience to engage with this unique music experience. The Dance Control turns the Heineken Human Equalizer into an extraordinary interactive virtual game where the user can take control of a dancer’s steps and moves, creating their own personalised video.

All users who create a Dance Control video between 23 April and 1 May will be in with a chance to win tickets to the phenomenal night at Pacha Sydney on Saturday 4 May.

http://www.pachasydney.com/

DOORS OPEN AT 6.30PM EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT $35 in advance / $40 on the door