Etch: Fast Festival Feast, CBD Sydney (12 Jan 2011)

62 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.etchdining.com

Nice decor for a quick meal

Throughout the Festival, between 12 noon and 1 pm and/or 6 pm and 7 pm, visit any of the Fast Festival Feasts restaurants listed and receive a main course with a glass of Stoneleigh wine, a Kronenbourg 1664 beer or a bottle of Tasmanian Rain water for just $30 (inc GST).

Thanks to Madam Wu for my birthday gift at the 1 hatted Etch restaurant— one of my favourite presents is being taken out to dine. Arriving at 6 pm we theoretically had 1 hour on the clock to take advantage of the Fast Festival Feast but there didn't seem to be any rush to leave after 7 pm, perhaps because they weren't overly busy. Starting with a nicely presented entree special of the day of Kingfish prepared three ways ($20) it was a little challenging to share the small portions but we did our best interpretation of MasterChef judge George in dividing it up. The Kingfish sashimi had the most flavour but I was more a fan of the deep fried croquette along with the silky smooth avocado mousse — a dozen of these would have gone down well.

The Festival promoted main of Ballottine of chicken, sauteed baby gem and asparagus, lemon thyme veloute ($30 with glass of wine) was fairly substantial in size with nice flavours although for some reason I was expecting a more elegant smooth sausage like form rather than the large rustic chicken pieces. It seemed nicely matched with the quaffable Stoneleigh Pinot Grigio. A reasonably priced side of Provencal potatoes, aged prosciutto, smoked garlic mayonnaise ($9) was full of flavour and helped make the whole meal quite filling. Peppermint tea ($5) is made from real leaves and the nicely made roasty flavoured Cappuccino ($5) had thankfully little bitterness. Service was friendly, efficient and surprisingly quite down-to-earth. The comfortable dining area had a nice ambient feel with its mood lighting and chic decorative elements.

Other food blog reviews:

• Music Munchies Review

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Friendly and professional service, Nice decor, Well presented dishes, Interesting menu

CONS: $30 main and drink deal only available during January

MUST TRY: Provencal potatoes with aged prosciutto and smoked garlic mayonnaise

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Kingfish prepared three ways ($20 special of the day)

Kingfish tartare with creme fraiche sorbet

Kingfish sashimi served with avocado and wasabi cream

Kingfish croquette

Avocado mousse

Ballottine of chicken, sauteed baby gem and asparagus, lemon thyme veloute ($30 with glass of wine)

Stoneleigh Pinot Grigio

Provencal potatoes, aged prosciutto, smoked garlic mayonnaise ($9)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Cappuccino ($5)

Peppermint tea ($5)

Lounge area

Private dining room

Pretty cool lamp shades

Nice feature clock

Rooster salt holder and table candle

Welcoming rooster

Outside street entrance


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InterContinental The Cortile: SIFF 2010 Sugar Hit, Sydney (1 Oct 2010)

117 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.sydney.intercontinental.com

Spring into Sugar

I'm always impressed with the decor at the InterContinental with it's high ceiling and comfy laid back seating. The Sugar Hit this year is Homemade amarena cherry, triple chocolate gateau with orange honeycomb and Bailey's macaroons ($20) which includes a glass of Brown Brothers Orange Flora Muscat. It's quite a substantial dessert in terms of it's sweetness and size and I like the touche of orange honeycomb on top of the chocolate gateau although it's not as fresh and crunchy as hoped — possibly due to being prepared in advance for quite some time and has soaked up the air moisture. For those craving something more savoury you could delve into the Cheese plate with fig paste, lavosh and sourdough ($27) which comes with 3 cheeses and an array of dried fruits. A Long Black coffee ($7) was non bitter as hoped but at a premium price. Arriving fairly late in the night the service was a little frantic to get all the orders to the kitchen before it closed for the Sugar Hit at 11 pm but was friendly enough and helpful.

Other visits to the InterContinental:

• 1 Oct 2010 - Sugar Hit 2010

• 10 Oct 2008 - Sugar Hit 2008

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Nice decor, Efficient service, Decent hit of sugar for those who love their desserts

CONS: They said they don't take bookings for Sugar Hit

MUST TRY: As many Sugar Hits as possible in October

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SIFF Sugar Hit menu

Homemade amarena cherry, triple chocolate gateau with orange honeycomb and Bailey's macaroons with Brown Brothers Orange Flora Muscat ($20)

Brown Brothers Orange Flora Muscat

Cheese plate with fig paste, lavosh and sourdough ($27)

Long Black coffee ($7)

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GFM 2008 Sugar Hit: InterContinental, Sydney (10 Oct 2008)

117 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Tasting platter of Grand Marnier-Strawberry Infused Panna Cotta; Chestnut Timbale, V.S.O.P cognac cream & White Chocolate-Rasberry Torte including Brown Brothers dessert wine ($20)

Other visits to the InterContinental:

• 1 Oct 2010 - Sugar Hit 2010

• 10 Oct 2008 - Sugar Hit 2008

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