Restaurants

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.

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

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

What’s On: ANZAC DAY 2013

So we’re excited that ANZAC Day is almost upon us, a day where we can remember our loved ones, neighbours and friends that have given their lives to protecting our country.

In keeping with tradition, ANZAC Day marks the one day of the year where gambling games are legal in all pubs and clubs in Australia – notably 2-Up!

We are also very lucky to get a day off work! Here is our guide to the best spots across Sydney to celebrate ANZAC Day.

The Australian

The Australian at The Rocks will be sharing the ANZAC spirit on the city’s largest and most exciting 2-Up Arena.
Date: Thursday, April 25
Time: Open from 8.00am and 2-Up from midday-late
Address: 100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
For further information: http://www.australianheritagehotel.com

The Glenmore

Salute and commemorate our courageous Diggers with a cold beer and Aussie BBQ. Play 2-Up from midday on the hugely popular outdoor arena.
Date: Thursday, April 25
Time: Open from 8.00am and 2-Up from midday-late
Address: 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
For further information: http://www.theglenmore.com.au

KIT Wednesdays is upping the ante with a combined celebration for ANZAC Day Eve
· DCUP
· Steve Frank
· Zannon
· Alex Preston

Bungalow 8 |3 Lime St, Sydney
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time : From 11am
· Massive 2UP arena
· Celebrity tossers
· Aussie tunes
· Bagpipe band
· The Last Post (played at 5:45pm sharp)
· $15 cocktail jugs served till 4pm

Cargo Bar |52-60 The Promenade, Sydney
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time: From 11am
· All day BBQ and outdoor bar
· Biggest 2UP arena to date
· Playing the Last Post (5:30pm sharp)
· The party will continue into the night with some classic Aussie tunes from DJ’s KATO, Liz Bird, Adam Bozzetto and loads more

Newtown Hotel | 174 King St, Newtown
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time: From 1 pm
· 2UP
· Fosters cans $5
· Free sausage sizzle
· DJs from sunset, PHDJ, Shantan Wantan Ichiban, Meem

Sugarmill Hotel | 37 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time: From 10am
· 2:30pm AFL live Essendon vs Collingwood
· 4:00pm NRL live Roosters vs Dragons
· 7:00pm NRL live Storm vs Warriors

Sweethearts Rooftop BBQ |37 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time: From 10am
· Sweethearts will be open ALL ANZAC DAY from midday to midnight.
· TAPPY HOUR from 4-7pm when all tap beer and wine is $5

Some other key places that are fab for ANZAC are:

Dicks – Balmain

The Beach Road Hotel – Bondi

Coogee Bay Hotel – Coogee

The Royal – Paddington

Have fun!!!!

Social Spy** *The Botanist Launches An All New Menu and Website*

The Botanist bar and restaurant has been spicing up the Kirribilli area
since it opened its doors five months ago, and references illustrious
Botanist Gerard Fothergill, who travelled the world researching plants, and
whose last years of his life were spent running a small bookshop in the
very building the restaurant now occupies. The Botanist pays homage to
these historical and botanical themes of exploration and discovery, with
food and cocktail menus using abundant offerings of fresh produce, herbs
and spices.

To keep spicing things up The Botanist launched a new innovative cocktail
and food menu last night, as well as a pioneering new website, at a huge
party for celebrities, locals and media. Over 140 guests attended the
packed out Monday night event, including celebrities such as Elka Whalan,
Phil Waugh, Bonny Porter, Hayden Quinn, Hayley Jensen and socialites Simon
Hancock and Becky Boyd-Bais.

Cocktails on arrival included a selection of the new menu constructed by
co-owner Hamish Watts, all of which continue to reflect the Botanist themes
with simple and elegant flower and spiced infusions – The Flower Doctor
made with Botanist Gin and Le Bulleit Bleu a blueberry infused Bulleit
bourbon. Champagne, wine and beer were then served throughout the night.

The global share plate menu, designed by head chef Justin Walshe (formerly
of La Grillade), is made for exactly that, sharing, and a taster of the
new food menu served last night included exciting additions with a Mexican
flare such as soft shell tacos with the choice of marinated beef and chilli
chicken, as well as pulled pork or southern style chicken sliders and two
pizza choices, a veggie mushroom, artichoke and olive, and Italian sausage,
potato and rosemary.

The Botanist’s new responsive web site design is built on WordPress and
uses HTML5 making it seamless to use across desktop and handheld devices.
The Botanist caters to its surrounds perfectly and is Kirribilli’s first
small bar and restaurant. Combining the historical with the modern to
create a winning formula, The Botanist continues to bring some much needed
spice to the local area.

http://www.thebotanist.com.au

ARRAS Matches The Best In Food And Wine For Aussie Wine Month

Image: Arras – co–owners/head chefs Adam and Lovaine Humphrey and sommelier Alon Sharman.

I was invited to sample Arras’ menu a few months ago, let me just say that you will not be disappointed! So I’m more than happy to let you all know about the exciting plans that the owners have for Aussie Wine Month.

On Friday 19 April, modern European restaurant ARRAS will be teaming up with family-owned local producers, Freeman Vineyards, for a beautiful four-course dinner with matching wines in celebration of Aussie Wine Month.

One-hatted ARRAS is run by young British chefs Adam and Lovaine Humphrey. The husband and wife duo bring with them a wealth of experience from top restaurants across Europe and Australia including the three Michelin-starred Michel Bras in France, Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck and the Castle Hotel in England.

The seasonally changing menu features an innovative interpretation on European dishes, served in the colourful surrounds of unique design features including a graffiti mural by Sydney graffiti artistAz One, aka Andy Steel, and bespoke Paul Smith suit-fabric dining chairs.

Freeman Vineyards is located in the Hilltops region of New South Wales. This small, specialist family wine company is run by Dr Brian Freeman, along with his daughters Marcelle and Xanthe. It is best known for its Italian inspired wines – Secco, Fortuna and Rondo Rose – that have been produced by the family since 2002.

The one-off dinner will include four courses and ARRAS’s famous petit fours matched to the Fortuna, Rondo and Secco wines for just $120 per person.

Friday 19 April, 7pm start
ARRAS
204 Clarence Street
Sydney, NSW 2000

For further information or to make a booking, call 02 9283 1922, email reservations@restaurantarras.com.au or visit http://www.restaurantarras.com.au

What’s on: Grandmaster Flash in the Flesh at the Soda Factory

When: Friday March 22nd, 9pm-5am
Cost: $20 (on the door)

He’s the daddy of DJ culture, the ultimate decknician, the grand master himself, and he’s coming to Surry Hills’ tightest new hotspot, the Soda Factory, on Friday 22nd March.

Grandmaster Flash has been killin’ it since ’74, and is still regarded one of the greatest DJs of all time. So dust off your platforms and don’t miss your chance to catch Flash in the flesh in the intimate, vintage surrounds of the Soda Factory.

Less than a month since opening their doors, The Soda Factory is fast becoming the watering hole of choice for hot bands and celebs alike. Just recently, hit makers Bloc Party were seen kicking back behind the coke machine. With sweet old school tunes, delish dogs and killer cocktails it’s no wonder the likes of Kele, A-Trak and the other cool kids come to hang… must be something in the bubbles…

Speaking of cool kids, the Soda Factory is stoked to announce an additional ‘secret’ show for Electric Empire after the overwhelming response to last night’s gig. The indie roots band will perform this special encore show tonight, Friday 15th March. With no door charge, we suggest you take your dollars straight to the bar for a Choc Passion Martini instead.

For venue details and more events: http://www.sodafactory.com.au

Social Spy** *Bondi Hardware Turns One Year Old!*

One of Sydney Social’s favourite haunts is Bondi Hardware! It was the perfect evening as Bondi’s bustling Hall Street was host to Bondi Hardware’s first Birthday celebrations!

Hall Street is home to local favourite Bondi Hardware bar and restaurant which is named after its original occupant of 30 years, a cluttered Hardware store. The restaurant pays homage to its heritage, with the interior painstakingly transformed utilising exposed brickwork, beams, high gabled ceilings and recycled timber. Last night Bondi Hardware turned one year old and to celebrate the owners, Hamish Watts & Ben Carroll threw a huge invite only bash for locals, media and celebrities.

Cocktails on arrival included Hardware Fizz and Raspberry Mules, then guests moved onto Vale Ale, Batlow Cider, wine and champagne. To soak up all the booze food served included the ever popular beef, pork and chicken sliders, lamb koftas and pizza, and the party went on late into the night with the DJ pumping out soul and funk tunes.

Celebrities who attended included SYP (PSY impersonator), Hayley Jenson (Australian Idol), Joel Chapman & Kosta Theodosis (Amy Meredith), Nacho Pop (TV Personality and dancer), Penne Dennison (TV Presenter), Sophia Hope (X Factor contestant), Tali Jatali (TV Personality), Tom Steinfort (TV Presenter) and Zoe Sheridan

The expertise of Ben & Hamish is evident at Bondi’s craftiest bar and restaurant, where the welcoming ambiance, mouth-watering food and delicious beverages combine to create a uniquely Bondi dining experience. A good workman never blames their tools, and at Bondi Hardware they’re the best in the business!

http://www.bondi-hardware.com.au