MCA, 149 George Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000
http://grazemca.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/grazemca.com.au
https://instagram.com/graze_mca/
Bouillabaisse Lovers Club
I've enjoyed this bouillabaisse a few times now since 2015 and its continued to be my favourite one in Sydney, especially when combined with the lovely view of the Sydney Opera House when no cruise ships are in dock. This time around is a lovely meetup with @suzziethefoodie @see.taste.do @nora.geee @itd_be_rude_not_to and visiting @hungryempire. Chef Simon Fox of Culinary Edge has kindly surprise gifted our lunch. GRAZE Bouillabaisse for two, served Provencal Style-Market fish, blue swimmer crab, black mussels, vongole, split king prawn, split “Moreton Bay” bug, roasted chili aioli & chargrilled garlic bread ($90) has a generous amount of seafood and when combined with the chargrilled garlic bread to mop up the sauce is enough to be a feast for 2 people or when enjoyed with some entrees and dessert I think would quite easily suit 3-4 people to share.
A glass of Andrew Thomas 2017 Semillon, Hunter Valley ($17) goes done well with the seafood. My happy place has been always oysters and the Sydney Rock Oysters from Merimbula with cucumber, eschallots, alto merlot vinegar ($4.5 each) have a nice amount of flavoursome brine retained which I suspect are shucked to order. The micro herbs look nice but I always prefer without and vary the natural with just a light squeeze of lemon. Chilli & Salt Fried Baby Calamari, Pickled melon, baby cucs & chipotle aioli ($22) is tasty and tender with a nice smokey flavour in the chipotle aioli. Great addition of pickled melon and cucumber on the side to refresh the palate and becomes a new Simon Favourite. For the salad lover in me I enjoyed the Ice Berg, Dill & Chardonnay Vinaigrette, Pear & walnut ($12) with a good amount of yummy flavoured dressing and highlights of dill working well. Love a good wedge salad and this one helps to cleanse the palate from the richly flavoured bouillabaisse. A blue cheese ranch dressing option would be great as well but wouldn't be so innocent. Looking forward to the next meetup of the Bouillabaisse Lovers Club.
25 Nurses Walk, The Rocks NSW 2000
https://www.aslancoffee.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/aslancoffee/
Aslan expands to The Rocks
Great to discover Aslan Coffee Roasters have now opened their second cafe. Cappuccino ($2 Hey You special, normally $3.50) uses their full bodied St Peters Blend that's roasted medium dark. Great hit of flavour. Loving the look of the place that looks dedicated to the coffee fix. Interesting eats menu as well. Hoping my next visit will include Aunty Mei's Pork Satay grilled over charcoal served on roti paratha with slaw, sweet spiced gherkin and sriracha mayo. Sounds delicious.
Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay West
The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.jamessquire.com.au/brewhouses/the-squires-landing/
https://www.instagram.com/thesquireslanding
Beer with a harbour view
Great spot to enjoy a beer at this prime location with a view of the harbour bridge and opera house — when the cruise ships aren't docked. Enjoyed the James Squire The Swindler Tropical Pale ($6.50) for half a pint and there's plenty more to choose from on the taps. Freshly shucked oysters, natural, mignonette dressing, lemon ($4) were from Clyde River, Batemans Bay. Shucked to order as hoped with excellent brine retained for the win. No small fork for the oysters and spoon for the mignonette so hopefully they'll be part of the cutlery set in time. The James Squire Beer Battered Fish & Chips - Dory, chunky chips, salad, tartare, lemon ($28) had a nice crisp batter using One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale and a generous serving of two pieces of fish. Chips were fairly crispy and the accompanying salad seemed undressed or perhaps just very light in dressing flavour. A squeeze of lemon helped to make it better. The tartare could benefit from a more punchy kick of capers and gherkins for my liking to make it extra special. Service was friendly and helpful and there's heaps of seating to accomodate large groups both inside and out. Returning later that evening for the official launch event the cruise ship had thankfully left dock allowing a great view of the Sydney Opera House. Well located for a Vivid Sydney watering hole as well.
