Simon Food Favourites: Oyster

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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23 January 2013

The Sharing House: Modern Australian sharing plates with a twist, Melbourne (23 May 2012)

35 Dukes Walk, South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf VIC 3006

http://www.thesharinghouse.com.au

Sharing with a twist of fun

“As the name stands, The Sharing House philosophy is to provide a sharing-style menu using high-quality seasonal ingredients to produce classic items with a modern Briggs-esq twist.”

A casual lunch break from the 2012 agIdeas design conference at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre nearby brings me to the lego filled The Sharing House. Crab toasties ($10 each) filled with spanner crab, horseradish and apple are quite good but expensive since it works out to be $10 for actually half a toastie. Was thinking it might have gone well with some sort of cucumber salsa on the side to make it more substantial. The Gravalax ($12) is nicely presented although a little awkward to serve on the crostinis provided. Perhaps if the ocean trout cured with apple vodka and mustard creme fraiche was already on the crostini would make it ready to share and eat. Oyster shucked to order with merlot vinegar and shallots ($4.50) comes at a high price and felt some of the brine was missing but had a nice fresh taste. A slice of lemon would have made up for the lack of brine.

If you're going to order anything then make sure you get the Rabbit and cauliflower popcorn ($12) served in a parmesan breadcrumb with roasted garlic aioli. It has the taste, crunch and addictive appeal to go well with a beer. Pumpkins ($10) is actually pumpkin tortellini with sage butter. Quite nice but felt it needed more robust flavour from the sage butter that wasn't as noticeable as hoped. 5 inch pizza of prawn, garlic, tomato and chilli salsa ($16) was quite small for price but had really good flavours with an enjoyable salsa on top. Service was quite welcoming and helpful to keep our short lunch visit on time with the kitchen order. I like the quirky decor and wish I had more time to stay to try the desserts — perhaps next time.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Fun decor, Helpful service, Interesting menu, Seasonal and quality ingredients, Nice presentation

CONS: Sun glares through window on some of the tables depending on time, I don't get to Melbourne very often, What are those tiny spoons for?

MUST TRY: Rabbit and cauliflower popcorn

VERDICT: A casual and fun dining space that suits diners who love to share dishes

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Mr Giraffe says hi and welcome

Table setting

Not quite sure what I'll be using these tiny spoons for?

Crab toasties: Spanner crab with horseradish and apple ($10 each) — quite good but expensive

Gravalax: Ocean trout cured with apple vodka, textures of apple and mustard creme fraiche ($12) — nice presentation but a little awkward to serve on crostinis

Oyster (Coffin Bay) shucked to order with merlot vinegar and shallots ($4.50) — high price and lacked brine and fresh taste

Rabbit and cauliflower popcorn: Confit rabbit and cauliflower, in a parmesan breadcrumb, served with roasted garlic aioli ($12) — great taste, crunch and addictive
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)