31 October 2013

Good Food Month: Steersons Steakhouse $39 menu, King Street Wharf, Sydney (30 Oct 2013)

17 Lime Street, King Street Wharf, Sydney NSW 2000


Steaking out King Street Wharf

“Steersons offers premium quality in all aspects of the dining experience — from the tablecloth to the steak knife and the steak. Steersons will remain true to the steakhouse fundamentals yet exhaust new beef trends allowing the Steak Lover to appreciate an enhanced steakhouse experience for both body & soul.”

Thanks to Jess Guilfoyle from The PR Partnership for inviting me to sample the Good Food Month menu ($39 per person including a drink) at Steersons Steakhouse as part of the Food Art & Film By The Wharf during October. Upon arrival table water was provided promptly which always gets a tick in my books. While perusing the menu their was strangely no promotion of the Good Food Month menu and my waiter had no idea what I was talking about. Thankfully another waiter knew all about it but mentioned they'd recently stopped promoting it on the tables which I thought was unfortunate because then diners wouldn't be aware of it unless they had seen it on the website. A tasty Pan-fried chorizo with mint and basil ($10.90) was an enjoyable starter and the Freshly baked damper from Fuel Bakery with salted butter ($5.90) had a nice crust and lightness inside. 

A glass of Bishop by Ben Glaetzer Shiraz 2012 was a good choice to enjoy with the 400gm dry aged rib eye on the bone ($39 with wine) served with beer battered prawns and tarragon salted hand cut chips. Prawns were plump with a light crisp batter as hoped and the flavoursome steak was served pretty much medium rare as ordered. I wasn't a fan of the lettuce garnish which I guess added colour to the dish but needed to be dressed to make it more appetising to eat and cut through its slight bitterness. The chunky chips were good and the option of boulangère potatoes is also a good choice. For the sweet tooth the nicely presented White & dark chocolate mousse with Stracciatella ice-cream, honeycomb & lavender ($13.90) had enjoyable rich flavoured chocolate and the Mango Sorbet, Raspberry Sorbet, Vanilla Ice-Swiss Cream ($13.90) looked a treat although I didn't get to try it but I'm suspecting larger scoops would have been appreciated.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Well-presented dishes, Water view, Nice decor, Pleasant ambience, Steak lovers menu, Menu seems reasonably priced for the location and quality, Service was professional and friendly
CONS: Good Food Month menu wasn't promoted with the a la carte menu and some service was unaware of the promotion
MUST TRY: Pan-fried chorizo with mint and basil, A steak that tickles your fancy
VERDICT: Seems like a popular spot for business lunches for suits that love their steaks but hopefully there's a few suitable menu options for the ladies
Good Food Month menu — although wasn't promoted with the a la carte menu even though the promotion runs until 31 October
Nice having white table clothes — I'd would give extra marks if the creases were ironed out
Bishop by Ben Glaetzer Shiraz 2012 Barossa Valley — very nice wine
Pan-fried chorizo with mint and basil ($10.90) — enjoyable tasty flavours as an appetiser 
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Freshly baked damper from Fuel Bakery with salted butter ($5.90) — nice crust and softness, flavourome 
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
400gm dry aged rib eye on the bone, served with beer battered prawns, tarragon salted hand cut chips ($39 with wine) — nice plump prawns with thin batter, flavoursome steak, lettuce needs dressing, good chips
WORTH TRYING :-)
400gm dry aged rib eye on the bone, served with beer battered prawns, boulangère potatoes ($39 with wine) — nicely cooked potatoes

Mustard options
Steak order medium rare and looks pretty close
Nice prawns, decent size, thin crispy batter — these would make an excellent canape on their own for a function
Nice chips — would have loved a side of tomato sauce provided as an option
Lettuce garnish — slightly bitter, would have preferred served with some dressing to make it more interesting and appetising on the plate
White & dark chocolate mousse with Stracciatella ice-cream, honeycomb & lavender ($13.90) — enjoyable rich flavoured chocolate, nice presentation
WORTH TRYING :-)
Mango Sorbet, Raspberry Sorbet, Vanilla Ice-Swiss Cream ($13.90) — I didn't try it but looked pretty good although I suspect larger scoops would have made it better value
Steak menu 
Small dishes menu to start — oysters seem reasonably priced if shucked to order
Water views



Clean toilet although having walls so dark I seemed to miss seeing the exit sign on the door and opened a cubicle instead



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Steersons Steakhouse - Lime St on Urbanspoon

28 October 2013

Bullion Bar @ The Mint Pop-Up Launch, CBD Sydney (26 Sept 2013)

10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000


Cheers to liquid gold 

“Step back in time at the Bullion Bar pop-up at The Mint on Macquarie Street. The historic and stylish space creates the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a drink and sample canapĂ©s by award-winning chef, Brad Jones.”

Thanks to Angela Thompson from Trippas White Group for inviting me to the launch of Bullion Bar @ The Mint. Well-presented and tasty canapes were offered to guests including an abundance of champagne in a Veuve Clicquot themed setting along with Parisian-inspired tunes. The old bank vault was converted into an intimate area suitable for private functions. The pop-up bar will be open from 2 October, Wednesday to Friday nights, between 3 pm – 9 pm. During Good Food Month there's a $55 ticketed event every Wednesday 5–7 pm that includes 2 glasses of Veuve Clicquot and canapes.

Bullion Bar Menu
Bowl of Sicilian olives $6
Bowl of smoked & roasted nuts 
$6
Beetroot cured ocean trout, horseradish cream, edible flowers $16
Citrus poached prawns, avocado mousse cocktail, gem lettuce, smoked paprika $18
Orange & thyme scented chicken liver pate, cornichon, apple & fig compote, petit baguette $16
Duck, onion & date pastille, lemon yoghurt & sumac dip $18
Pulled pork sliders (3), apple coleslaw $15
The Bullion cheese plate, quince paste, walnuts & bread $24

Beverage List
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut – $22 glass, $100 bottle, two glasses $40
Veuve Clicquot Rose NV – $25 glass, $125 bottle, two glasses $45
Veuve Clicquot Vintage GB – $25 glass, $125 bottle, two glasses $45
2011 Cape Mentelle Georgiana Sauvignon Blanc, $9 glass, $42 bottle
2011 Cape Mentelle Marmaduke Shiraz – $9 glass, $42 bottle
2012 Domaine Chandon Chardonnay  – $10.50 glass, $54 bottle
2012 Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir – $12 glass, $60 bottle
2012 Domaine Chandon Pinot noir Rose – $11 glass, $52 bottle
Corona $8 each, Special Bucket of 4 Coronas $26
James Squire ‘One Fifty Lashes’ Pale Ale $8
James Squire Orchard Crush Apple Cider (500ml) $10
Santa Vittoria Sparkling Mineral Water (600ml) $6
Santa Vittoria Sparkling Mineral Water (1ltr) $11
Orange Juice $4
Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Pop Art Cloudy Lemonade, Pop Art LLB $4


SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Cosy and intimate space to enjoy a glass of champers or two, Nice canapĂ©s
CONS: Only available for a limited time although there's a possibility the bar will be extended beyond October — I hope so anyway.
MUST TRY: A glass of Veuve of course
VERDICT: A nice intimate bar with an outside balcony area best appreciated on a sunny afternoon




























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