Shoot the Chef Exhibition Launch and VIP Shopping Event, Chifley Plaza, Sydney (4 Oct 2011)

2 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.chifleyplaza.com.au

Shoot the Photographer

I was excited to be invited to the Shoot the Chef exhibition launch although arriving with my rsvped name missing from the guest list was an awkward way to start the night. Eventually getting in, I was witness to guests being treated with a plentiful supply of Mr Mick wines, Singha Beer, San Pellegrino mineral water and many different canapes prepared by Bacco. The Scallop with celery and mint and Battered prawn canapes were probably my favourites except less batter on the prawns would have been welcomed. Arancini balls are always popular and easy to eat and there was a mystery fried vegetable shaped like a flat potato wedge which was also pretty good. I wasn't much of a fan of the Tuna tartare which just seemed a bit too heavy to eat and the Polenta canape had potential albeit a little messy on the hands to handle. The simplicity of the Grissini with cured meat was a crowd pleaser and the Marinated eggplant served in a spoon was better than expected. I didn't get a good chance to try the wines but didn't mind the glass of Blanc de Blanc I started with on arrival. Many of the chefs in the photos on display were to be seen amongst the crowd including fifties glamour icon Pia Anderson who I'm sure will fetch top dollar in the OzHarvest silent auction where you can purchase your favourite print and help out a worthwhile charity at the same time.

Other visits to Bacco:

• 21 Sept 2010 - Toasted foccacia with prosciutto, bocconcini, rocket and tomato (QVB)

• 7 Sept 2010 - New shop in QVB coming soon (QVB)

• 10 May 2010 - Coffee Eclair

• 3 Nov 2009 - Raspberry Tart

• 20 Oct 2009 - Fruit Tart

• 31 August 2009 - Italian Chicken Schnitzel Wrap

• 29 July 2009 - Concorde

• 9 June 2009 - Cannoli Siciliani (ricotta filling)

• 5 June 2009 - Rose Macaron, Brownie

• 2 June 2009 - Chocolate Eclair, Tiramisu, Lavanda Pasta Sfoglia, Zuppa Anglaise, Panna Cotta

• 27 May 2009 - Strawberry Tart

• 25 May 2009 - Polenta Pudding, Bacco

• 21 May 2009 - Lemon Tart

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Free food and drink, Exclusive discounts for shops on the night, Exhibition continues until 28 Oct so check it out

CONS: RSVP not appearing on the guest list even after plenty of email correspondence leading up to the event, Crowd acting like seagulls when food comes out

MUST TRY: Joining the Chifley e-newsletter if you haven't already to stay in touch with future events

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My own 'shoot the chefs' from Bacco

Grissini canape

Polenta canape

Bresaola canape

Fried canape — can't remember what but it was nice

Tuna tartare canape

Salmon canape

Eggplant canape

Arancini canape

Prawn canape

Scallop canape with celery and mint

Mr Mick wines and Singha beer

Hayden Ellerton getting his photo taken (without a pig)

The 'I can do that too' shot

Ajoy Joshi from Nilgiri checking out his photo

Exhibition now open

Purchase your favourite print through silent auction, proceeds to OzHarvest. I think Pia in the kitchen will be a very popular choice

Plenty of guests

Musicians — from where I don't know?

Bacco in charge of the catering

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Bacco: Wine Bar Pasticceria now open in QVB, Sydney (21 Sept 2010)

Shop 24-27, Level 2, Queen Victoria Building

455 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.bacco.com.au

Bacco QVB now open!

With only it's second day of opening Bacco's new QVB location is already doing a steady trade of business. Apparently there's still plans for a large communal table, some finishing decor touches and a decent sized macaron shop opposite that will sell about 30 different flavours — Adriano Zumbo watch out. The ambience is noticeably more quiet than it's Chifley Plaza location which is a huge plus when trying to have a conversation. The range of beautifully designed cakes and fresh pastries seems just as extensive and the service is friendly although still be finding their feet in these early days. Today's lunch purchase of Toasted foccacia with prosciutto, bocconcini, rocket and tomato ($9.90 takeaway) was decently sized and the ingredients fresh tasting. The salted foccacia added a lovely savoury taste. I think the addition of some chive mayonnaise, aoili or avocado would have been nice to add a bit more moisture to the sandwich for my liking.

Other visits to Bacco:

• 21 Sept 2010 - Toasted foccacia with prosciutto, bocconcini, rocket and tomato (QVB)

• 7 Sept 2010 - New shop in QVB coming soon (QVB)

• 10 May 2010 - Coffee Eclair

• 3 Nov 2009 - Raspberry Tart

• 20 Oct 2009 - Fruit Tart

• 31 August 2009 - Italian Chicken Schnitzel Wrap

• 29 July 2009 - Concorde

• 9 June 2009 - Cannoli Siciliani (ricotta filling)

• 5 June 2009 - Rose Macaron, Brownie

• 2 June 2009 - Chocolate Eclair, Tiramisu, Lavanda Pasta Sfoglia, Zuppa Anglaise, Panna Cotta

• 27 May 2009 - Strawberry Tart

• 25 May 2009 - Polenta Pudding, Bacco

• 21 May 2009 - Lemon Tart

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Nice building location, Much quieter than Chifley Plaza location, More centrally located in the CBD, Quality ingredients, Great range of cakes, pastries and sandwiches, Seating available, Licensed

CONS: Service still finding their feet, Service counter area can be crowded when busy

MUST TRY: Dining in — the bruschetta looked amazingly delicious. Revisiting when their macaron shop is open.

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Toasted foccacia with prosciutto, bocconcini, rocket and tomato ($9.90 takeaway)

Open for business on level 2

Menu board

Plenty of large and small sugar hit choices

Outside seating

Inside seating

QVB seating around the clock centrepiece

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Bacco Wine Bar Pasticceria: New shop opening soon in QVB, Sydney (7 Sept 2010)

Shop 24-27, Level 2, Queen Victoria Building

455 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.bacco.com.au

Bacco spreading its wings

In about 2 weeks it looks like Bacco will be opening its second shop in the grand Queen Victoria Building which is good news for those more centrally located in the CBD. It reminds me of Pendolino in The Strand Arcade which is similarly perched above the classy shops located in a very nice shopping arcade. Bacco will be located close to the central QVB dome and looks like it'll take advantage of a fair amount of seating area.

Other visits to Bacco:

• 21 Sept 2010 - Toasted foccacia with prosciutto, bocconcini, rocket and tomato (QVB)

• 7 Sept 2010 - New shop in QVB coming soon (QVB)

• 10 May 2010 - Coffee Eclair

• 3 Nov 2009 - Raspberry Tart

• 20 Oct 2009 - Fruit Tart

• 31 August 2009 - Italian Chicken Schnitzel Wrap

• 29 July 2009 - Concorde

• 9 June 2009 - Cannoli Siciliani (ricotta filling)

• 5 June 2009 - Rose Macaron, Brownie

• 2 June 2009 - Chocolate Eclair, Tiramisu, Lavanda Pasta Sfoglia, Zuppa Anglaise, Panna Cotta

• 27 May 2009 - Strawberry Tart

• 25 May 2009 - Polenta Pudding, Bacco

• 21 May 2009 - Lemon Tart

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: More centrally located in the CBD, Nice building location

CONS: Upstairs so a bit out of the way to get to

MUST TRY: Visiting once opened

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