The only thing more fabulous than a Champagne Bar is possibly arriving in time to enjoy it and not misreading an invitation. So begins my dilemma when I arrive at what I think is the right time of 7:30pm only to learn that the launch of Etch’s Champagne Bar has been going since 6pm. “I’m fashionably late right?” I offer up feebly knowing that fashionably late doesn’t involve arriving right the end.
But all is not lost because I still have some champagne and cocktails and following on from the cocktails is dinner at Etch. When offered a choice of cocktails including Pepper Berry Martini (sloe gin, black pepper infused vodka and summer berries), St Clement’s Bells (Aperol, Vanilla Absolut Vodka, Absolut Citron and a lemon ice block for a swizzle stick), Apple Sherbert (Absolut Vodka, green apples, star anise infused vodka and sherbert) and Perrier Jouet Champagne.
Did someone say apple cocktail? I go straight for the delicious apple cocktail which has a slight Asian flavour to it from the star anise. It’s a stunning space with a Florence Broadhurst-esque rug, custom made panels, silvery velvet chairs and Venetian glass. Becca and I are then led to our table and the waitress asks us if we’d like to choose or would we like Justin to make up some courses for us. Justin then comes over and asks us if we’d like 5 or 10 degustation sized courses. As I’ve had a weekend full of food, I go with Becca’s suggestion.
Marinated Hiramasa Kingfish, carrot escabeche, Champagne vinaigrette
I’ve had a similar dish with the Hiramasa Kingfish here and it has a really gorgeously pure flavour. Escabeche is similar to ceviche where an item is cooked in acids or vinegars. Here, in a visual mindtrick where you think you’re being served beetroot, purple carrots are pickled in a vinegar.
Local mushroom tortellini, Madeira consomme, sauteed mushrooms
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February 22, 2010
by Not Quite Nigella
Memory is a funny thing. There was a restaurant that I visited about a decade ago called Bel Mondo. It was owned by Stefano Manfredi, one of the biggest chefs in Sydney and we had a wonderful meal there. It was hidden in a little lane way up a flight of steps out of the way in The Rocks area, a stairway that you may not know was there as there isn’t much else up there. The foot traffic that passes is often tourists wandering around our fair city. And as a result of this hidden away location, when Manfredi left and the business was sold, people didn’t know that it was still there.
Bel Mondo’s chef Andy Ball is from London, ex Claridges and The Ritz and has been cooking here for about two years. His menu is different from Manfredi’s Italian cuisine, it is more Modern Australian. Today they have opened up Bel Mondo just for Ed and I which feels all rather Hollywood! We are trying the degustation menu which for the modest price of $77 you get five courses of food which has got to be one of the best value degustations going on in Sydney at the moment (and the price is valid even on Friday and Saturday nights).
We start with the bread rolls which are filled with swirls of sun dried tomato pesto and coated in herbs. They’re delicious and warm which is just how I like the bread to be.
Amuse Bouche: Potato and leek soup with creamed leeks and saute scallop
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February 9, 2010
by Not Quite Nigella
“Excitement! Dinner at Quay 
All dressed up. Mr NQN in sneakers and sailing shirt love it lol” I tweeted one Saturday night. As a way to celebrate moving into our new place Mr NQN and I thought we’d do it with a dinner out at Quay. It had been years and I mean literally years (the last visit was B.B. aka Before Blog) since I had last dined there and when I called up a couple of weeks before moving in I was told that the next table for two on a Saturday night was 6 weeks away (owing to the Restaurant of the Year accolade no doubt). It looks like I’d have to keep waiting.
View at 6pm
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November 18, 2009
by Not Quite Nigella
A glass of fragrant lavender and rosemary marks the spot at our table at Martin Place Bar, the recent winner of the Bistro of the Year at the I love Food Awards. Even on this Wednesday afternoon it’s crowded with people eating and taking advantage of the “Lunch Within the Hour” where diners can book and pre-order what they want and within 5 minutes of sitting down they can eat their meals and for the rest of the time can enjoy themselves rather than feel rushed and anxious if their meal will arrive. Today we’ve got a bit more time to enjoy things though and are partaking of a 3 course sampler lunch.
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November 14, 2009
by Not Quite Nigella
I know the Darling Park Building very well. No, I don’t work there. How do I know it so well? Gina, Teena and I went on a walking tour of it this rainy Spring evening looking for Sepia in which we managed to cover every square inch of this place until we finally found the restaurant, on the outside corner Southern end of the building. A group of customers are leaving and a staff member is holding open the door. She sees us and gives a welcome smile and greeting and then so does the maitre’d. “Ahhh you’re Y’s friend?” he asks and I confirm indeed I am. Y is Lemonpi of course and she is the Pastry Chef here. I’d been dying to try my friend’s food and so fellow food loving friends and fab gal pals Gina anad Teena were joining me tonight.
The room is dark, yes bloggers the lighting is “romantic” and there are many couples here and groups of friends. We start with a complimentary glass of Stefano Lubiana bubbles which sets us girlies all in the mood.
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November 10, 2009
by Not Quite Nigella
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