Category Archives: With a View

High Tea at the Loft: Christmas in July

For Northern Hemisphere readers, the concept of Christmas in July or “Yulefest” must be an odd one at best. Why would you have Christmas in the middle of the year and why in July? One reason why we Antipodeans celebrate it is because of the weather. As a child I used to watch television shows where Santa would visit children who lived in houses covered with snow and Christmas was a time to feast on warm roasted turkey, potatoes and other delicious warming goodies. Santa never delivered presents to kids wearing shorts and thongs (flip flops, not G strings!) and as such I always yearned for a White Christmas. During December the weather here is so warm that having a Roast Turkey and potatoes during the 40 Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) degree temperatures seems for the hardcore traditionalists and salads and cold seafood feature mostly on the Australian Christmas dinner table. However July is the coldest month here and as such we can simulate some sort of cold Christmas.

So when Lisa organised a High Tea at the Loft and the theme was Christmas in July I eagerly agreed  straight away. I’ve spoken often of my absolute love for Christmas (almost as much as Halloween) so I take any chance to celebrate it. It’s not really freezing cold and it seems nowadays Sydney is often bathed in the warm embrace of sunshine but I’ll also take any excuse for a High Tea. My fellow High Tea-ers were Betty, Helen, Karen, Lisa, Steph and Suze.

For $45, the High Tea with a twist features a teapot cocktail, a selection of sweets and savouries and a pot of tea. We take our time choosing everything as they look pretty tempting. All teapot cocktails are serves for two so we try one of each of the three Christmas in July cocktails: Santa’s Little Helper, Rudolph’s Nose and Silent Night. They arrive in adorable teapots and we ask Betty who is suitably attired for a Christmas in July in a green and red jacket to pour them for us.

The Santa’s Little Helper teapot cocktail has fresh berries crushed with cranberry juice, bourbon and fruit liqueurs balanced with a hint of citrus topped off with a red fruit tea. The bourbon is a bit too strong and medicinal as it’s virtually identical in appearance to the pinky red hued Rudolph’s Nose once poured, we do a lot of sniffing and guessing to try and avoid it.

The Rudolph’s Nose teapot cocktail is delicious and the definite crowd favourite with homemade rhubarb purée and fresh cherry shaken with bison grass vodka and a hint of citrus finished with Turkish apple tea. It’s sweet, with a light dash of alcohol and vodka is always a great choice to avoid clashing with other flavours.

The dark brown shaded Silent Night cocktail was the one that people were dreading the most with a chocolate liqueur combined with Martel VS and a touch of espresso, rounded off with peppermint tea. The flavour is more espresso with a touch of liqueur more that anything else and not really a chocolate peppermint crisp flavour that I was envisaging. Still it’s more palatable than the Santa’s Little Helper.

Sencha Quince Fizz – Lillet shaken with a hint of vanilla, fresh passion fruit pulp, pink grapefruit and chilled T2’s “Sencha Quince” tea

The last teapot cocktail is the Sencha Quince Fizz which is Lillet shaken with a hint of vanilla, fresh passion fruit pulp, pink grapefruit and chilled T2’s “Sencha Quince” tea. It’s sweet and favoured by many however the passionfruit flavour overwhelms most of the other flavours within the teapot cocktail.

When food bloggers attack! Nicely of course…we’re ladies!

The food tiers arrive but of course we must go through the customary ritual and the cameras capture the tiers from every angle. The sandwiches are quite tasty with fresh fillings although the bread is a touch dry on the outside perhaps from sitting uncovered. There is turkey and cranberry, baby prawn and mayonnaise with sprouts, honey roasted leg ham with mustard pickle.

Sandwiches, frittata, chicken and pistachio galantine and baby red peppers stuffed with goat’s cheese

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55 comments | July 20, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella

Vespacific Cafe & Whale Watching, Narrabeen

There’s nothing more painful than ill conceived or contrived beachside chic and conversely there’s nothing better than welcoming true beachside chic. Sydney does it so well and so badly at times. Badly is when the view speaks or shouts louder than the food which is a scant afterthought and prices rival that of a 5 star restaurant just because you happen to be sitting across from the ocean. Vespacific cafe is of the other ilk, a little retro style beachside cafe with a Vespa theme running through it in Narrabeen on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Service is said to be friendly, servings tasty and huge and they also happen to be very vegetarian friendly (and incidentally we see that they also compost but not in that in your face kind of way that shouts “I’m fashionably green!”). It’s a beautiful sunny Winter’s day in Sydney so what better way to spend it than to be beachside. I confess it’s a compulsion of mine whenever we get a nice sunny weekend day in Winter.

Vespacific is relaxed – when I call them to see if I need a booking the woman says “Oh ok sure, for how many people?” and when I answer “Two” I hear her tell the staff “Hey guys there’ll be a table of two at two o’clock, just keep a table for them”. When we arrive, we see that the cafe is located across from the water where there is a raised wooden viewing platform. And what’s this for? For checking out the surf of course. Canny locals get their sustenance to take away from Vespacific and watch the waves breaking.

When we arrive we nab a table near the window. It’s not quite an ocean view, more a grassy view but there is some comfort to know that the ocean is past the grass. I breathe a sigh of relief to find that the menu features all day breakfast items. That means that their famous Mega Bacon and Egg roll is available and it’s got my name on it. We order the Punjabi Eggs for my husband and a croissant with banana and a liquid chocolate shot to share. The menu has a wide range of vegetarian options including some that have me switching allegiences from omnivore to vegetarian such as the “Gourmet toast with roasted capsicum, eggplant, caramelised onion, capsicum and olive tapenade topped with fried halloumi and fresh herbs”. Prices are extremely reasonable with most items under $10. I kid you not.

Australian Meat!

I look around. It’s almost like a set of Home and Away it’s so beachy and laidback. There’s plenty to see including a bookshelf with a book “How to do sex properly” and a battered but well loved 1869 edition of “Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management” simply propped up on the shelf without ceremony. I enjoy flipping through it and reading about the “Mulligatwany Soup made with Australian Meat” and the wages awarded to male and female household servants with different wages suggested for those that receive sugar, tea and beer.

Also true to the name, there’s a red Vespa adorning one wall behind a print of a surfer midflight (we spy a mini Vespa keyring on the owner’s key chain too), paintings from local artists and Barbie, Skipper and Ken in a red convertible on the countertop. Perhaps I’ve been too absorbed in my copy of Mrs Beeton’s Guide to Household Management but the food arrives quickly. It’s freshly made and hot and smells inviting so I dig in eagerly.

Cappucino in a Mug $3.50

Mega Bacon and Egg Roll $12

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31 comments | June 30, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella

Ripples, Sydney Wharf, Pyrmont for a Chef’s Table experience

When the lovely Prue from The Mint Partners invited me along with a small group of other bloggers to the 11 week old Ripples on Sydney Wharf in Pyrmont, I couldn’t have said yes fast enough. I’d dined at Ripples Milsons Point before but that was only for breakfast. This time she said, we’d be partaking in the dinner menu and in a special spot: sitting right in front of the action at the Chef’s Table. I’d heard of Chef’s Tables before, mainly at overseas restaurants, but had never dined at one so I was particularly excited about this.

Head Chef Richard Park

It’s an intermittently raining evening tonight but even that can’t dampen my enthusiasm. And true to form, the Chef’s Table is exactly that and we are seated bar style watching Chef Richard Park and his efficient team fly into action. New Zealand born Park formerly of Aqua Dining and Kables, creates exquisite French bistro style cuisine.

We discuss how much we love lunching during Winter when the sun is shining but it’s not swelteringly hot and Ripples’ Manager Andrew Roebuck tells us about some very loyal customers, who despite living in Mosman (where there already exists a Ripples in Chowder Bay), have dined here every Sunday lunchtime with a changing group of friends for the last few weeks. They stay from 1pm until 7pm and make the most of the location and view. The menu is very reasonably priced, somewhat of a miracle for a Waterfront restaurant in Sydney with mains ranging from $24-29.

Crusty French Epi bread with anchovy butter $7

Our first tastes for the evening are the Epi bread (from Brasserie Bread if I’m not mistaken) with a variety of butters and toppings. The crusty Epi sourdough is lovely with the anchovy butter which has the distinct but not overwhelming taste of anchovy.

Crusty Epi bread with olive tapenade and pesto butter $8

Duck liver parfait with cranberry jelly, onion marmalade and pickled prune $11

The olive tapenade and pesto butter is delicious and true to flavour but my favourite is undoubtedly the duck liver parfait with onion marmalade and pickled prunes in Earl Grey tea. It is a sweet, salty and aromatically rich start to the meal.

Spring Bay Scallop with fennel salad

We are also given a new season’s Spring Bay Scallop with fennel salad as the season has only just commenced. It’s fresh and tastes of the sea combined with the rich scallop roe.

Shucking and prepping the oysters

Head Chef Richard Park finishes the oysters

We watch as they freshly shuck the oysters and when they’re plated, Park finishes them with the dressing. He explains that to the right of the Galley kitchen is the meat section, then the fish and then to the left is the pastry section. He floats between all areas but mainly takes care of the meat as that is the area requiring the most technical precision in the kitchen.

Warm oysters with leek fondue and goat’s cheese sauce $3.70 each

I’ve been a bit greedy and ordered a dozen of the warm oysters with leek fondue and goat’s cheese sauce which is richly gorgeous. Perhaps 12 was a bit ambitious to eat along with our breads, mains and desserts but I enjoyed every one.

They must be thinking what on earth is going on when the cameras start snapping wildly

Freshly opened Pacific oysters with mignonette dressing $3.60 each

The freshly opened Pacific oysters with mignonette dressing are also delicious and usually the way I prefer the oysters. I always find that Pacifics have a gorgeous creaminess to them which is well offset by a tangy dressing.

Twice baked goat’s cheese souffle with onion and thyme soubise $18

Several people order the twice baked goat’s cheese souffle with onion and thyme soubise (a bechamel type sauce with onions) which has a lovely and light texture and the distinctly delicious goat’s cheese flavour. Perfect for this cold Winter’s evening.

Grilled Calves Liver with parmesan braised witlof, rosemary, red wine jus $16

Signature bouillabaisse with garlic bread and rouille $29

For my main, I chose the signature bouillabaisse with garlic bread and rouille. In the bowl, there is a crab claw, salmon, whitefish, mussels and prawn, all beautifully tender and perfectly cooked. The soup is full flavoured and rich and the buttery garlic bread and rouille (a provencale sauce made of breadcrumbs, oil, saffron and chili peppers) round it out nicely with spice and flavour.

Rabbit Fricasee with mushroom, lardons and potato dumplings $28

I try Reem’s rabbit fricasee and it’s sublime. For those who have an issue with the unusual smell and taste of rabbit this is a great dish to introduce yourself to it. The potato dumplings are gyoza-like in appearance but more like gnocchi-like in taste. And thanks to Reem for holding the chair while I climbed up and took this photo!

Ripples Famous fish and chips, homemade tartare sauce and lemon $24

I try Prue’s Ripples Famous fish and chips with homemade tartare sauce and lemon. It’s a huge portion and I can imagine this to be almost impossible to finish but the golden crunchy seafood and chips certainly aid in this endeavour. They tell us of a recent table of 17 people where everyone ordered the fish and chips!

Duck leg confit, frisee salad, hazelnuts with a seeded mustar dressing $25

Mel’s duck leg confit is soft and comforting in the way that only confit can be. It’s complimented nicely by the salad and dressing.

Pan seared kingfish, gnocchi parisian with olives, braised fennel and baby eggplant $29

Jen’s pan seared kingfish is fresh and delicate in flavour and well cooked. The only problem is that I am distracted by the…

Six hour braised lamb breast, petits peas bonne femme and green olive salsa $29

The lamb was the dish I was also eager to order so I try some of Billy’s and I think I’ve fallen in love (with the lamb, not Billy ;) ). It’s so wonderfully cooked, the lamb falling apart easily and I go in for a third forkful before realising that this is not my dish and give it back reluctantly.

Lyonnaise Potatoes $7.50

The lyonnaise potatoes are firm, waxy potatoes with an enticing buttery aroma and soft cooked onions and parsley.

Leatherwood honey and goat’s curd parfait, poached quinces $13

I usually never finish a dessert (isn’t that what husbands are for?) but this I’d gladly demolish and then order a second. It’s exquisitely balanced from the creamy parfait topped with crunchy honey to the gingerbread, poached quinces and Iranian Fairy floss all with varying degrees of sweetness which together combine to create a harmoniously decadent dessert which never feels too sweet and has you coming back for more.

Warm chocolate and hazelnut pudding with chocolate ice cream, nut toffee $14

The dish that will have chocaholics or comfort seekers rejoicing religious style is the chocolate pudding. Served with a thick, rich chocolate sauce, nut toffee and chocolate ice cream, it is not for the faint hearted and if in doubt, best share it between two. Thanks to Mel for hand modelling it for me.

And because she can’t resist, Reem plays Nigella and dips her finger in before murmuring “Mmmm”

Apple tarte tatin and vanilla bean ice cream $12

The Apple tarte tatin and vanilla bean ice cream has that distinctive caramelised flavour to it, where it is about to become too caramelised but is taken off before this happens.

Grand Marnier Creme Caramel, cigarette russe $12

I have to admit that I am not a huge lover of Grand Marnier but for those of you that are and who love creme caramel this is for you with its definite taste of Grand Marnier.

Chocolate pyramid with raspberry sorbet and nut dust

The chocolate pyramid is rich with dark chocolate and biscuit and goes nicely with the tart, fruity raspberry sorbet and crunchy nuts.

After we finish we look around, finally wondering if anyone outside wondered what on earth was going on with our small flock of paparrazzi. And that’s the wonderful thing about this – we didn’t even notice or care for we were too busy enjoying ourselves to feel self conscious. A big thanks to Prue from The Mint Partners and Richard, Andrew and their team at Ripples for a wonderful evening full of delicious food.

So tell me Dear Reader, what do you think of the Chef’s Table concept? Would you choose to dine there or do you prefer to sit at a regular table?

The other bloggers that dined with me were: A Table for Two (Billy), Fooderati (Mel), Grabyourfork (Helen),  I Am Obsessed with Food (Reem), Jenius (Jen) and Spicy IceCream (Lisa).

Ripples at Sydney Wharf

Opposite Star City Casino on Wharf 9
56 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9571 1999

39 comments | June 19, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella

Thelma and Louise Waterfront Cafe, Neutral Bay

Sydney’s mantra is undoubtedly “Location, location, location!” such is our twin obsessions with property and waterviews. I was put onto the Thelma & Louise cafe by loyal reader Caz and when I saw the location was alongside a wharf, it was a no brainer. I checked the weather for the upcoming long weekend Saturday and we were rearing to go.

So it seems was much of Sydney for we were greeted with a line snaking out onto the street when we approached the cafe. Cars stopped and stylish young things craned their necks out to see what sort of queue had formed and drove off when the challenge and wait looked too daunting. Couples came and went after asking about the wait whilst some got takeaway coffees and food. One crowd of four women are apologetic when they tell us they have a booking and go to the head of the queue. We stood our ground (well I did, Mr NQN went to sit down on the bench and take photos). You see I was starving and was determined to nab one of the prized tables out on the balcony perched right above the lapping waves. I didn’t know how I was going to get it – after all the line in front and behind me suggested that I would be lucky to get any table I could.

I watched and I waited. The seated patrons would occasionally glance our way and then look away and drink their wine. I picked up a copy of the paper as I felt too stalkerish staring them down having already checked out the cafe’s interior. It’s full of trinkets and retro items as well as a clock stuck permanently on 6.43. There’s a billy cart filled with flowers suspended from the ceiling and black and white photographs of Jean Harlow and Bette Davis. To the right is a small square shaped kitchen where two women (Thelma and Louise?) tend to the palates of the folks of Neutral Bay. After waiting 30 minutes, a couple on the balcony leave and the waitress ushers us through with a smile. We have finally landed a table on the balcony and breathe a sigh of relief.

View from the table

Breakfast is served until 12 noon but as it’s 2.30pm we’re choosing from the Winter Lunch Menu. Items sound warming and we choose the Seafood Linguine and the Spicy lamb mince with Zaatar Turkish bread as we’re both seeking pure comfort food on this slightly chilly Winter’s day. A coffee is ordered for Mr NQN but a Babycino is ordered for me. I know I’m not a child but Your Honour this one comes with marshmallows and after all fits the theme of comfort food.

Cappuccino in a mug $4.80 on left and Babycino $1.50 on right

Service is said to be pushy, rude and or scatty according to eatability but there’s none of that today. In fact all 3 waitresses that we encounter are absolutely pleasant and full of “Yes madames” and smiles. Perhaps that has been an improvement. We receive our drinks, and the coffee is good but the babycino is mostly foam and is lukewarm which may be in fact the norm for babycinos to avoid burning the mouths of babes. I’m not a connoisseur.

Seafood Linguine $26

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37 comments | June 9, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella

Fort Denison Restaurant, Sydney Harbour

A visual reminder of Mother’s Day written in the sky

Despite being born and bred in Sydney, I still find the Harbour one of the most spectacular places to be on a sunny day and my hearts swells with pride at the sight of the beauty of Sydney. I am truly a Sydneysider through and through. And today, for Mother’s Day, we’re playing tourist in our own city with my parents. If you remember Mother’s Day in Sydney on the Sunday, you might be puzzled, recalling a day filled with intermittent rain and you’d be right, it certainly was a so so day for weather. However the day before on the Saturday was a picture perfect day with not a cloud in the sky and only the gentlest breeze blowing. As we try and avoid restaurants on Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day and Valentines Day) through bad experiences in the past with harried, stressed venues being understaffed and trying to push us out in order to get the next seating in place, we simply celebrate it the day before and we’re lucky we did so weather-wise.


Fort Denison

Fort Denison is on Pinchgut Island, a small Island in the middle of the Harbour. Formerly a prison when Sydney was itself a penal colony, it was a prison within a prison. Nowadays, it serves as a tide marker and is Sydney’s only Island cafe.

The boat ride from Circular Quay to the Island

The tiny “ants” are the people doing the Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb

Accessible by boat, we board at Jetty No 6 at Circular Quay at 12:45pm for the 5 minute boat ride. Within 5 minutes, we arrive at Fort Denison which is a lot smaller that you’d expect (you can walk from end to end in less than 5 minutes) and are greeted at the cafe. The waiter is friendly and polite and lets us know that in a few minutes at 1pm they will be firing the canons which they do once a day, every day on the dot at that time.

The canon firing-kudos to my husband who captured this while covering his ears!

Why 1pm? Since 1906 it allowed ship to set their chronometers i.e. watches and the practise only stopped during World War II due to alarmed residents and resumed in 1986. Today a young boy gets to do it and we all cover our ears (it’s loud!) and after some view gazing and a chat with the friendly woman that oversees it we head back to our table under a huge marquee.

My mother and I order a couple of items to share while my dad who doesn’t like sharing orders the battered flathead and chips and my husband orders the lamb shanks. Prices are extremely reasonable considering the unique Harbour setting. We also see that they have a New Year’s Eve Celebration here for $1,000 a person-I wish!

Mezze Plate for 2 people $24

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32 comments | May 21, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella