Showing posts with label Wedding Reception Venue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wedding Reception Venue. Show all posts

03 April 2011

Deckhouse: Social Media Brunch, Woolwich (3 Apr 2010)

Clarke Road, Woolwich Dock NSW 2110
http://www.deckhousewoolwich.com.au
Twitter: #deckhousebrunch


Ideally located to impress

Head Chef Samantha Lockery has worked with Neil Perry at Wockpool, Serge Dansereau at the Bathers Pavillion, Kylie Kwong of Billy Kwong and catering companies such as Belinda Franks

Thanks to Denea Buckingham from Gourmet Rabbit for inviting me to the Social Media Brunch at Deckhouse. I’ve often heard of the suburb Woolwich but have never had the opportunity to discover it’s grand old-money properties with leafy streets of well-established trees. Deckhouse has only been open for nine months and its spacious interiors and surrounding deck take full advantage of an excellent panoramic water view towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The river outlook reminds me of Berowra Waters Inn but thankfully with air conditioning except if you’re sitting around the side verandah where it can get uncomfortably hot and glary during a sunny day.

The waterfront views combined with a well-experienced head chef sets a high standard for an attractive function and dining experience location. Starting with a Jansz sparkling at 10.30 am might be considered a bit early for some so a decent Cappuccino ($3.90) requiring no sugar was also available. A rich depth of fruit flavours were appreciated in the Fruit and yoghurt topped with granola but perhaps some extra fresh fruit and seasonal berries would have been a nice addition. A platter of Field mushroom and feta tart was flavoursome with a light and crispy pastry as hoped. A good combination of flavours was had in the Peppered soft shell crab, pickled cucumber, red radish and round mint although the soft shell crab might have retained more of its crunchy light batter if separated on top of the well-presented dish. A few homemade treats from YiaYia’s kitchen (Managing Director’s mum) were also on offer including Pastizzio and delightfully thin Spanakopita.

An interesting combination of ingredients in the Prawn, peach and peri peri salad seemed to work well and I’m glad the quality prawns were properly deveined. The Haloumi cheese with smoked apple and olives also came with sultanas or raisins I believe. The haloumi was tasty although bordered on slightly squeaky which might have been due to not devouring it quickly enough upon being served. Orange juice ($5) and other juices don't seem to be available as freshly squeezed which would be more preferable to my liking. For those with a sweeter tooth the Mocha ($4.20) or Chai Vanilla Latte ($4.20) would probably serve you well. For those who still had stomach space the Individual mini tempura fish and fat chips fit the bill which were thinly battered and cooked to a nice crispness.

Other blog reviews:

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Water views, Quality ingredients, Well-presented dishes, Plenty of seating, Interesting menu, Available for functions, Free nearby parking available but fills up quickly, Good coffee, Friendly and professional service from Tom
CONS: Side verandah can get hot and very glary, Would be nice if juices were freshly squeezed
WORTH TRYING: Fruit and yoghurt topped with granola, Peppered soft shell crab, Coffee, Fish and chips
MUST TRY: Revisiting to sample other enticing menu dishes

Fruit and yoghurt topped with granola

Field mushroom and feta tart

Peppered soft shell crab, pickled cucumber, red radish and round mint

Prawn, peach and peri peri salad ($16, $24)

Haloumi cheese with smoked apple and olives ($16, $23)

Pastizzio from Yaya's kitchen

Savoury pastry from Yaya's kitchen

Spanakopita from Yaya's kitchen


Savoury pastry from Yaya's kitchen

Individual mini tempura fish, fat chips and tartar sauce

Jansz sparkling

Cappuccino ($3.90)

Orange juice ($5)

Mocha ($4.20)

Side of chocolate with every coffee — I actually thought it was sugar so make sure you take it


Chai Vanilla Latte ($4.20)

Barb Moore from Deckhouse welcoming social media guests

Getting to know the social media guests

Head Chef Samantha Lockery (left) serving up the dishes

A few special dishes from Yaya


Denea from Gourmet Rabbit


Inside seating — popular Sunday brunch time

View looking out from function space

Side verandah

Front deck

Panoramic water views towards Sydney Harbour Bridge

Cute Doghouse available for a well-deserved water break

Toilet aromatherapy oil burner — nice touch

22 March 2011

Mezzaluna Ristorante Italiano: Jarno Trulli Welcome Dinner, Potts Point (21 Mar 2011)

123 Victoria Street, Potts Point NSW 2011
http://www.mezzaluna.com.au


Jarno Trulli wines it up

Thanks to Georgia McKay from Horizon Communication for inviting me along to this special dinner event with guest of honor Jarno Trulli, Formula One Driver for Lotus. I hope his jet lag clears up in time for the 2011 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix happening this week in Melbourne. His passion also extends to a variety of wines which were served throughout the night. I mostly liked the fruity overtones of the Jarno Bianco and the nice bodied Podere Montepulciano with only subtle tannins. Arriving to a glass of Paparazzi Prosecco and canapés of prosciutto stuffed with ricotta, taggiasche olives and leek certainly helped warm the heart from the torrential rain outside flooding the streets.

The restaurant is a lot larger than you’d expect from the comparatively smallish street entrance. Set on two levels with an upstairs bar and a downstairs main dining area. Those lucky enough to sit on the covered terrace were fortunate to take full advantage of the panoramic views of the city skyline once the rain had subsided and the plastic curtains raised. At the kitchen helm Head Chef Fabio Pappagallo was in charge of the six course degustation ($165) with his trusty team of Italian chefs that worked fairly quietly with dedication. The accommodating and hard working service swiftly brought out the Canapé tasting plates as a starter. It was an eclectic mix of nicely presented savoury and sweet items which I think would have been better served by simplifying to one of the savouries as an amuse-bouche and keeping perhaps the sweeter Baby pears [fig?] poached in cognac and blackcurrant with zabaglione cream as a palate cleanser after the main. For me there just seemed to be too much happening on one plate to take in and fully appreciate.

The cold served Entrée con Trebbiano of Pearl meat tartare marinated in cumquat juice was served with pomegranate seed aspic and a pink grapefruit and green chilli sorbet. Quite light and refreshing on the palate although I found the pomegranate seeds the dominant taste which overpowered the very subtle flavour of the pearl meat tartare. It was a more sweet than savoury dish which bordered on dessert for me. I’m actually not even sure what pearl meat is but it had a similar texture to chopped prawn meat. Next was another cold Entrée con Rose of Poached turkey with ginger mayonnaise and limoncello sauce. This was certainly the most challenging dish of the night for me to appreciate. Apart from simply looking like deli cut sliced turkey arranged on a plate I struggled to find a balance in flavours, especially with the limoncello sauce often overpowering the taste buds. I didn’t mind the ginger mayonnaise but perhaps it would have better suited seafood like grilled scallops, fresh salmon or prawns, or even crumbed calamari minus the limoncello or just used very subtly. At this point I felt I was still looking for the Italian cuisine I was expecting to find.

Thankfully a warm dish was served last of Grilled venison noisettes with layered sweet potatoes, leeks and chestnuts. A quality cut of tender meat cooked about medium rare which surprisingly didn’t taste too gamey. The side of sweet potatoes had nice flavours and my only real gripe was the bowl it was served in making it a little awkward to cut — and some extra jus would have been nice. To finish a plate of three flavoursome cheeses were served with accompanying chestnut honey, pâté and nuts, and a yellow peach jam. I liked the creamy smoothness of the taleggio cheese the best. For those staying late a plentiful supply of petit fours arrived including a chocolate mousse which I think probably would have been better presented through the piping bag with a star nozzle. With so many enticing Italian dishes on the normal a la carte menu I unfortunately left the night feeling like I hadn’t really had a chance to fully appreciate the real ‘Italian’ Mezzaluna but as a function and wedding reception space it would be an ideal venue if the food matches its prime location and spectacular outlook.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: City skyline view, Nice décor and lighting, Accommodating and hard working service which seem to enjoy working as a team, Available for functions
CONS: Some of the dishes were a bit of a hit and miss for me, Toilets located upstairs from dining room, Didn’t get to try more traditional Italian dishes including pasta
MUST TRY: Maybe revisiting to try the a la carte menu

The food
Canapés to start at the bar of prosciutto stuffed with ricotta, taggiasche olives and leek

Canapé tasting plate

Baby pears [fig?] poached in cognac and blackcurrant with zabaglione cream

Panna cotta with parmigiano reggiano and fresh green pea jelly

Pineapple and chilli soup with fromage frais foam

Yellow fin tuna with goat's cheese mousse, topped with a cucumber, celery and green apple jelly

Bundle of prosciutto stuffed with ricotta, taggiasche olives and leek

Bread

Pearl meat tartare marinated in cumquat juice, served with pomegranate seed aspic and a pink grapefruit and green chilli sorbet

Poached turkey with ginger mayonnaise and limoncello sauce

Vegetarian dish

Grilled venison noisettes served with layered sweet potatoes, leeks and chestnuts

Pecorino cheese with chestnut honey, Taleggio with pâté and nuts, Gorgonzola with yellow peach jam

Chestnut honey, Pâté and nuts, Yellow peach jam

Dessert petit fours

Baci chocolates

Menu and wine list

The drinks








The staff










The guests
Jarno Trulli (Formula One Driver for Lotus) appropriately sitting at table 1

Jarno Trulli and Me

Jarno Trulli with Frank Coletta (MC) and fans


Dinner guests

Ms Venuti and Ms Darlinghurst about to enjoy their Baci chocolates

The decor
Pre drinks in the front bar area

Downstairs to main dining room

Main dining area

Terrace seating


City skyline view taken advantage of once rain stops

Toilet candle and decor

Nice candles

Wet weather brings out the umbrellas


Outside street entrance



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