Simon Food Favourites: Launch

Showing posts with label Launch. Show all posts

12 August 2016

Tuxedo Bar Launch, The Rocks, Sydney (11 Aug 2016)

195 Gloucester Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
https://www.instagram.com/tuxedo_bar/

Espresso Martini Bar Launch

Tuxedo launched with an abundant supply of espresso martinis for guests to enjoy. I was happy to down about 5-6 of them, but who's counting, so I guess that's why I can't sleep right now. Promoted as the first espresso martini bar in Sydney which to my knowledge seems to be correct. Created by Benny Sweeten it'll be officially opening on Thursday 18 August 2016 at 5 pm. Looks like a good space to forget your worries and stay up for most of the night with a caffeine fix.

Cocktails will include:
• The Candy Man: The prettiest of the bunch, this espresso martini comes in a glass dipped in 100s and 1000s and packs a punch of amaretto, vodka, kahlua and espresso
• Cadbury Chocolate Martini: Tuxedo’s secret…you’ll have to come in to find out what’s in it!
• The Pirate: Built on spiced rum, this martini weaves in a touch of agave
• Cold Drip Martini: Drop it like it’s hot. This one is for the coffee aficionado who’s partial to a cinnamon donut
• The Traditional: Served on tap, this is the option for a quick hit
• My House: Another of Benny’s secrets he just won’t reveal

28 October 2013

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

10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.trippaswhitegroup.com.au/our-venues/The-Sydney-Mint-Café/8

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 canapés 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 canapés

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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03 July 2013

Bondi Hardware: Winter Menu Launch, Bondi Beach (1 July 2013)

39 Hall Street, Bondi Beach NSW 2026

http://bondi-hardware.com.au

Sharing the hardware love

Thanks to Olivia Warne from Pendulum Communications for inviting me to the launch of the winter menu at Bondi Hardware. Uber transport was provided to and from the restaurant which was very much appreciated with all the cocktails and Howard Park matching wines on offer. The high-end car and service was much nicer than your standard taxi although expect to pay a bit more for the luxury. I really like how the Uber app shows you how long the driver will be and where they actually are on the map — very cool and informative. Welcome cocktails of Hardware Fizz and The Flower Doctor were both refreshing and enjoyable. There were plenty of tasty canapes before sitting down to our pre-determined spots for a four course sharing menu.

The Albacore tuna ceviche had enjoyable flavours although proved a little bit of a challenge to eat on a lotus root crisp filled with holes. Was nicely washed down with the 2012 Great Southern Riesling. The Notorious P.I.G arrives with 4 pieces of roasted pork belly easy to share. Pork was cooked well and the dish flavours worked well together. Suitably matched with the 2011 Flint Rock Pinot Noir. Braised beef cheek was melt-in-your-mouth and a good match for the robust 2011 Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon. I always love a good crumble and the Apple & rhubarb crumble hit the spot for a wintery night. The menu listed vanilla ice cream although it seemed to be more of a crème anglaise. I'm more a fan of ice cream with my crumble. The Warm Mulled Batlow Cider with Captain Morgan Spiced Gold Rum was a highlight for me with well-balanced flavours. Hopefully they'll add it to the cocktail menu during winter. I could have happily finished the night there although presented with the opportunity to try the Prawn pizza tempted me. Decent sized prawns matched with garlic, chilli, baby spinach and lemon was very good although beware of the whole roasted garlic cloves unless you're protecting yourself from vampires.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Buzzing atmosphere, Nice event cocktails and tasty dishes, Enjoyable matching wines, Friendly and helpful staff

CONS: Parking can be very hard to find in the area, Very popular at the end of the week so best to make a reservation to avoid disappointment, If you have a fear of hardware tools then it's best to avoid this place

MUST TRY: Warm Mulled Batlow Cider if they put it on the menu, Revisiting to try other dishes

VERDICT: A smoothly run launch event that highlighted some enjoyable dishes and wickedly good cocktails that tempts me to plan a revisit with friends. I'll be keeping the Uber app for emergencies.

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Uber transport provided to and from the restaurant — much nicer than a taxi

The Flower Doctor cocktail — refreshingly good

Dos Equis beer, The Flower Doctor, Hardware Fizz

Baked ricotta skewers

Crab crostini

Crumbed goats chèvre and herb stuffed mushrooms

Winter Launch Menu

Howard Park 2012 Great Southern Riesling

Cheers with our fellow diners

Albacore tuna ceviche with roasted garlic, chilli, marjoram, pomegranante & lotus root

Howard Park Margaret River 2011 Flint Rock Pinot Noir

The Notorious P.I.G; 4 succulent pieces of roasted pork belly with pureed and candied apple & mushy minted peas ($20)

Roasted beetroot salad with goats curd, eschallot, shallots & beetroot reduction

Howard Park Margaret River 2011 Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon

Braised beef cheek, pickled Enoki mushrooms, horseradish mascarpone, jus & watercress

Apple & rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream — very nice although the 'ice cream' seems more like a crème anglaise

Warm Mulled Batlow Cider with Captain Morgan Spiced Gold Rum
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Cheers to warm mulled Batlow cider

Prawn with garlic, chilli, baby spinach & lemon ($20) — supper time. Good flavours although includes plenty of garlic so you might smell like a garlic clove in the morning