Simon Food Favourites: Jamon

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22 October 2016

Barrafina: Seafood Paella, CBD Sydney (17 Oct 2016)

2 Bligh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.barrafina.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/barrafinasydney/

Monday Seafood Paella Special

“The phrase 'Barrafina' is Spanish in origin and translates to ‘long bar’ in English. The name was derived from our concept of sitting at a long bar in Spain where customers can view their meals being made and to watch the ‘theatre’ of the kitchen at work, where shared dining and experiencing multiple flavours from shared plates occurs, common to the lively hubs of food creativity in Las Ramblas of Barcelona and in the North of Spain, most notably San Sebastian.”

I've always liked the food here that caters well for those loving to share dishes. The Monday special of Seafood Paella sounded pretty good for $20. First they serve up a charcuterie board of jamon serano, Spanish salami, olives and pan con tomato. Love the big olives they use. Cured meats were nice. Wash downed with an Estrella Spanish beer on tap that's included in the price, or a glass of wine if you prefer. Seafood paella comes with chorizo, saffron rice, black mussel, prawn, calamari. Nice deveined prawns and a tasty rice underneath which is more a dry style than wet. The seafood seems to be added to the rice base rather than being cooked with it. A squeeze of lemon goes a long way with bring the dish together on the palate. Service was friendly and efficient.

17 November 2012

Udaberri: Pintxos Y Vino, CBD Adelaide (2 Nov 2012)

11 Leigh Street, Adelaide SA 5000

http://www.udaberri.com.au

For the love of oysters

A locals recommendation I met at Botanic Bar brings me to the recently opened Udaberri where I surprisingly discover some of the best freshly shucked oysters ($3 each) I've ever had in a bar or restaurant. These guys know how to fully respect the Coffin Bay pacific oyster with all its prized brine — the oysters were literally swimming in it. For the die hard oyster lovers this is what it's all about. No need for lemon although a splash of the champagne vinegar supplied worked well for me. Shells were cleanly opened and well-presented. I left it up to the bartender to serve me their signature drink. The White Sangria ($15) is not on menu and was worth trying. A likable and refreshing alternative to a red wine sangria.

The Banderilla ($2.50 each) sounded interesting on the menu and flavours worked well together but it's a tiny serving. Seemed expensive for such a small appetiser. The Jamon seranno gran reserva ($15, 50 grams) was thinly sliced and a decent size to share between two. The bread was fresh and went nicely with the jamon. Apparently during the night pintxos are available for $2. I sampled their mushroom cheese crepe which was very tasty. The bar reminded me of being back in San Sebastion which is apparently inspiration for atmosphere and vibe they were after. A melting pot of conversations, drinking and snacking on a few tasty and affordable pintxos. I hope to return one day, if not just for their oysters.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Reminds me of being back in the bars of San Sebastion, Interesting menu, Fun vibe, Efficient and friendly service, Rustic decor

CONS: Very loud, Limited seating, Can get crowded, It's in Adelaide and I live in Sydney

MUST TRY: Oysters
VERDICT: A fun and popular place for a casual drink and snack. Definitely try the oysters if you like them shucked to order.

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Coffin Bay oysters, shucked to order served with champagne vinegar ($3 each) — full of brine and shucked well with minimal shellage
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

White Sangria ($15) — not on menu but signature drink
WORTH TRYING :-)

Banderilla - skewered confit cherry tomato, pickled garlic and queso mahon cheese ($2.50 each) — nice flavours but seems expensive for such a small appetiser

Jamon seranno gran reserva aged 10 months, 50 gram ($15) — decent amount of slicers, thinly sliced, bread fresh
WORTH TRYING :-)

Pintoxos, usually charged at $2 each, mushroom cheese in crepe

Bill $41.50 for one, 6 weeks opened, efficient service, cool bar vibe, loud, popular

Upstairs seating

Owners Rod and Rowan having a cheeky photo

Team Udaberri

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28 September 2011

Rockpool Bar & Grill: Glenfiddich Launch of Rich Oak 14 Year Old, CBD Sydney (27 Sept 2011)

66 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.rockpool.com/sydney/bar-and-grill

Pioneering something new

“Glenfiddich is introducing a new pioneering single malt Scotch whisky, to the Australian market called Rich Oak. Patiently matured for 14 years, Rich Oak is then delicately finished for 12 weeks in untouched American and European oak casks – an innovative first for the single malt Scotch whisky industry”

Thanks to Steve Stammers from Weber Shandwick for inviting me to the exclusive Glenfiddich launch of Rich Oak 14 Year Old at the Rockpool Bar & Grill. Upon entering the restaurant through the corner foyer door I felt I was entering the lobby scene in The Matrix — maybe I was. Impressive high ceilings, dim lighting and stylish decor greeted and overwhelmed me as a first timer visitor further within. Surely a place to take someone to impress I think. The night started in the cosy hallways outside a level 1 private dining room where a pre-dinner cocktail of Elks Lodge Fizz was offered made with Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, Plum Pisco, Spice Syrup, Lemon Juice and Dash of Egg White — quite nice with noticeable alcohol content. As I was seated at the table between John Lethlean (The Australian Co-editor Food & Wine), Bob Kennedy (William Grant & Sons) and opposite Glenfiddich brand ambassador Ian Millar I felt I was in good hands to learn a thing or two about single malt whisky. Being very much a G&T man to date I think my taste buds are yet to fully mature and appreciate the complex euphoric pleasures a single malt whisky is known for but having the chance to sample the 21, 30, 40 and now new released 14 year old I feel one step closer to being a single malt appreciator.

Wines on offer were all quite good, and noticeably not cheap either from the very extensive (overwhelming) International wine menu. For entrée the Crudo of Ocean Trout, Yellow Fin Tuna and Hiramasa Kingfish ($32) was noticeably fresh and lightly flavoured. The Wood Fire Grilled Vegetables and Tzatziki Salad ($21) I’m sure would please any vegetarian with good flavour and the meat lovers board of Joselito Iberico Jamon, Jamondul Serrano Jamon Reserva, Fratelli Galloni Parma Prosciutto with Pickles ($35) was nice although a little confusing to know which was which and slices weren’t easy to share. I really enjoyed the massive sized Charcoal Roast King Prawns ($30) with good flavour and would surely order again. I believe the Market Fish was King George Whiting nicely cooked with subtle flavour and thankfully no bones to be found.

The signature Cape Grim Dry Aged 36 Month Old Grass Fed Rib Eye on the Bone 350g ($60) was impressively tender and flavoursome throughout. I can see why it comes at a price. I actually preferred it to the Rangers Valley Dry Aged 300 Day Grain Fed Rib-eye on the Bone 440g ($75). Sides were done well and seemed quite reasonably priced for the quality. Potato and Cabbage Gratin ($9/$12) arrived in a flat hot pan, the Boiled Mixed Greens with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Lemon ($9) retained some natural crunch and the Radicchio, Cos and Endive Salad with Palm Sugar Vinaigrette ($9) had a nice balance of balsamic vinegar for a taste bud zing. A large slice of Passionfruit Pavlova ($21) soon became a crowd pleaser although I tend to add some strawberries and kiwifruit with my Christmas family lunch version. The Black Forest Trifle, Inspired by The Fat Duck's BFG ($25) was perhaps more cream than sponge and jelly although quite wickedly good. The Cheese selection ($32 for three) came with an assortment of fruit bread and crackers although I tend to prefer wafer crackers or French baguette these days to better appreciate the cheese.

The Glenfiddich Rich Oak will retail at $94.99 nationwide in selected liquor stores from October.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Very nice décor and setting, High quality produce and dishes, Professional service, Glenfiddich fans now have another new release to appreciate, Very extensive International wine menu (169 pages — OMG!)

CONS: Expensive menu although sides seem very reasonably priced for the quality, I thought the disabled access door was the main door on Hunter Street (it’s not, but it used to be)

MUST TRY: Cape Grim Dry Aged 36 Month Old Grass Fed Rib Eye on the Bone 350g, Revisiting to try more of the menu

WORTH TRYING: Charcoal Roast King Prawns, Passionfruit Pavlova, Radicchio, Cos and Endive Salad with Palm Sugar Vinaigrette

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Elks Lodge Fizz: 30ml Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, 20ml Plum Pisco, 5-10ml Spice Syrup, 20ml Lemon Juice, Dash of Egg White

My zoom lens on standby, Warming the glass of scotch in your hand

12 and 15 year old Glenfiddich

18 and 21 year old Glenfiddich

30 and 40 year old Glenfiddich

50 year old Glenfiddich

2009 Sancerre, Vincent Pinard ‘Florès’ ($94), 2009 Viognier By Farr, Geelong, Vic ($112)

2009 Shiraz, Bress, Heathcote ($89), 2007 Châteauneuf du Pape, Domaine Saint Préfert ($155)

Fresh bread

Joselito Iberico Jamon, Jamondul Serrano Jamon Reserva, Fratelli Galloni Parma Prosciutto with Pickles ($35)

Wood Fire Grilled Vegetables and Tzatziki Salad ($21)

Crudo of Ocean Trout, Yellow Fin Tuna and Hiramasa Kingfish, and with Coriander and Fingerlime Flavoured Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($32)

Charcoal Roast King Prawns, Split and Marinated ($30)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Market Fish - King George Whiting

Cape Grim Dry Aged 36 Month Old Grass Fed Rib Eye on the Bone 350g ($60)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Rangers Valley Dry Aged 300 Day Grain Fed Rib-eye on the Bone 440g ($75)

Boiled Mixed Greens with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Lemon ($9)

Potato and Cabbage Gratin ($9/$12)

Radicchio, Cos and Endive Salad with Palm Sugar Vinaigrette ($9)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Cheese selection: Douceur du Jura, Cow’s Milk, Franche-Comte, France; Montagne du Jura, Cow’s Milk, St. Imier, Switzerland; Bleu des Basques, Ewe's Milk, Pyrenees, France ($32 for three)