SydneyTimes Food Guide

25/09/2025

Visiting Champagne Taittinger: A Journey Through History and Bubbles

My recent press trip to Reims, France, gave me a priviliged look into the legendary world of Champagne Taittinger. As Publisher of Connoisseur Magazine UK I’ve experienced many fine offerings, but this was truly special. The visit was more than a tasting; it was a journey back through the centuries, exploring the historic Saint-Nicaise site and its four kilometers of UNESCO-listed cellars—ancient chalk quarries that perfectly age their exquisite wines. Taittinger remains one of the few family-owned Champagne houses, and their unwavering dedication to quality, particularly their signature Chardonnay-focused style, is evident in every detail. From their extensive 288 hectares of vineyards to the family’s philosophy—"In order to obtain gold in our bottles, we first need to have it in our hands"—the entire experience was a masterclass in tradition and craftsmanship.

The highlight was an exclusive dégustation, culminating in the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs—a true masterpiece only produced in exceptional years and a champagne I now believe belongs on the dinner table, not just as an aperitif. The house is also embracing innovation with the stunning new Polychrome restaurant, offering a monochromatic, art-focused culinary experience paired beautifully with their champagnes. A visit to Taittinger is a profound encounter with history, elegance, and the timeless artistry of one of the world's most revered Maisons. If you're ever in Reims, their unique 'Instant' tours are highly recommended for a truly unforgettable immersion into the 'Art de Vivre.'

02/09/2025

Discovered a fabulous LAVAZZA Cafe not 200 metres from the majestic Galleria Milano were I took respite and sampled some fine and delicate gastronomic delight and on of the great coffees- an Espresso Dopia - no milky coffee for this bloke -certainly not in Italy !

11/08/2025

Your Chance to be Part of Sydney’s Biggest Bottomless Brunch is Here!

Over 15 of Sydney’s hottest venues - including North Bondi Fish, Opera Bar, Chiswick, and Oxford House are teaming up to host Sydney’s Biggest Bottomless Brunch, in an attempt to break a world record. This city-wide event will take place on Saturday, 30 August from 11am to 1pm, and one lucky guest will also win a trip for two to Paris, with flights and accommodation included.



For $95pp, guests will enjoy a bottomless brunch feast featuring exclusive creations by Shadow Baking, alongside a flowing menu of signature ST-GERMAIN cocktails. Every venue will bring something special; whether it's a live DJ or a band, ensuring every seat feels like the best in the house.



The flavour-packed Bottomless Brunch menu includes highlights such as avocado & smoked fetta on Shadow Baking focaccia, prawn cocktail mini crumpets, a signature shakshuka tartlet created especially for the event by Shadow Baking with lamb merguez & soft egg, Shadow Baking custard danish, and coconut yoghurt topped with watermelon, strawberry, and a fragrant elderflower syrup.



As for the drinks, it's all about French-inspired flair, with a bottomless ST-GERMAIN cocktail menu featuring the ST-GERMAIN Hugo Spritz (ST-GERMAIN, prosecco, mint, soda), the crisp White Linen (Bombay Sapphire, ST-GERMAIN, cucumber, lime, soda), and the bold Stealth Margarita (Patrón Silver, ST-GERMAIN, jalapeño, cucumber, lime).



Event Details:

When: Saturday, 30 August l 11am – 1pm
Where: 15 Solotel venues including Opera Bar, Oxford House, Paddo Inn, The Clock, Kings Cross Hotel Rooftop, Chiswick, Bridgeview Hotel and The Golden Sheaf (see full list here)
Cost: $95 per person (includes food & bottomless cocktails)

Bookings: https://www.solotel.com.au/sydneysbiggestbrunch

11/08/2025

A Legacy of Excellence: A Journey Through McWilliam's Cool-Climate Wines and iconic Aged Fortifieds

Sydney,09 August

Written and Photo Credits by Wine Editor, A.Ritenis /Text formatted with Gemini AI

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a special luncheon and wine tasting hosted by the esteemed McWilliam family at the Private Dining Room of Café Sydney. This exclusive event, a celebration of craft and heritage, offered a rare opportunity to delve into the brand's distinguished style, spanning both their latest cool-climate vintages and a magnificent aged fortified collection.

It’s worth noting that this new chapter for McWilliam's comes after a significant period of change for the historic brand. After entering voluntary administration in 2020, the company was successfully acquired by Calabria Family Wines in 2021. This sale saw the iconic Mount Pleasant winery sold to a separate party, allowing the McWilliam's brand to consolidate its operations around the Griffith winery and recommit its focus to its core portfolio, particularly the cool-climate wines of New South Wales and the highly respected Aged Fortified Port wines.
This new focus on regional expression and the New South Wales provenance,..was at the very heart of the tasting.
The wines on tasting were a testament to McWilliam's focus on showcasing the best of New South Wales' diverse wine regions.

This strategy allows them to produce elegant and balanced wines that truly express their unique regional character all NSW’s wines.

The restaurant dishes from Café Sydney were paired with the wines in the following way:

The starter: The Western Australian octopus with green romesco, fennel caper salsa, puffed rice, and Aleppo pepper was paired with the McWilliam's Single Vineyard Chardonnay Tumbarumba 2024, the McWilliam's 1877 Chardonnay Tumbarumba NSW 2022, and the McWilliam's Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Tumbarumba 2021.

The main course: The beef tenderloin (PICTURED ABOVE )with roasted oyster mushroom and peppercorn sauce was matched with the McWilliam's Single Vineyard Shiraz Canberra District 2021.

The dessert: The salted caramel hazelnut, dulce de leche slice with churros and chocolate ice cream was served with the fortified wines, including the McWilliam's Hanwood Estate 20-Year-Old Rare Topaque, Rare Tawny, and the 30-Year-Old Very Rare Tawny.

01/08/2025

Moderne Parisienne style Dining in Sydney-Incroyable!

What an absolutely incredible meal at Bellevue restaurant in Woolloomooloo! My expectations were completely surpassed by the outstanding food and wine pairings, which truly transported me to a Parisian fine dining experience right here by the harbour. It's a great private venue for business or family celebrations with a chic and elegant atmosphere that is seldom found even in Sydney.

The evening started on a high note with a glass of crisp Pommery champagne and the most delectable chicken liver pate. But the real stars of the show were the starters: a delicate stuffed Fleur de Courgette with tomato and black sesame veloute, a perfect Crab Croquette, the luxurious Potato Pillow with apple remoulade and Avruga caviar, and a delicate Spanner Crab tartlet.

For the main course, the Bar au Blanc sea bass was a masterpiece—perfectly moist, tender, and beautifully complemented by fennel and smoked caviar. I also loved the spicy and delicious Blackout Pork Belly, which paired superbly with a unique Loire valley Saumur Champigny Cabernet. The wine and food matching throughout the night was simply outstanding. A dish of steak with a jus du vins and creamy potato mash, paired with a delicious Haut Medoc Cabernet-dominated Bordeaux blend, also hit the spot for an "old marchant du Vins " who thought he was back in La Belle France !

The experience was topped off with a fantastic Caramelized Open Pear Cheesecake. With its modern French ambience and impeccable service, Bellevue is an absolute gem. A truly memorable night and I will recommend this pace to my friends nad contacts ,...We sampled the Discovery Set Lunch Menu which is offered for $85.00 -much cheaper than going to Paris !

22/07/2025

I had the pleasure of mixing with my Trad colleagues yesterday at The Taste Champagne event which took place at Doltone House Hyde Park in Sydney, bringing together wine media, retail wine buyers and sommeliers for an exclusive champagne tasting experience.

Hosted by Tyson Stelzer, International Wine & Spirit Communicator of the Year, the event featured over 150 cuvées from 50 champagne houses, growers and cooperatives.

No question that Tyson Stelzer's Taste Champagne Traed and Media event in Sydney was a grand success, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity to sample some of the world's finest champagnes.
I understand that the following evening event for “wine connoisseurs and the public was also hugely succesul.

The prestigious Venue Doltone House Hyde Park offered a sophisticated backdrop for the event, with its grand ballroom, floor-to-ceiling arched windows and uninterrupted views of Hyde Park.

Exceptional Champagnes; Attendees sampled a diverse range of champagnes, including rare and prestigious cuvées from top champagne houses.

Industry Insights Tyson Stelzer's expertise and passion for champagne added value to the event, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the champagnes on offer. What a great way to start the Week!

18/06/2025

Western Australia Unleashes a Torrent of "Exhilarating Wines" in Monumental Sydney Trade Tasting
-Exhilarating Wines of Western Australia - Trade Tasting at the Rocks

Sydney, Australia 17 June,2025

The vibrant and diverse wine regions of Western Australia have made an undeniable splash in Sydney with the "EXHILARATING Wines from Western Australia" trade tasting. Held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, this monumental event showcased over 300 wines from 50 iconic and emerging wineries, offering a comprehensive and truly "exhilarating" journey through the state's vinous landscape.
It was a great and memorable experience to attend EXHILARATING Wines from Western Australia trade tasting at the Watersedge, Campbells Stores, Hickson Rd, in the Historic Rocks district of Sydney right on the harbour opposit eht iconic Sydney opera House !

Apparently this is literally the the biggest tasting ever staged outside of the state of western Australia, and it really was a massive revelation for members of the Sydney Trade.
Billed as the most significant tasting of Western Australian wines ever staged outside of the state, the event drew a significant crowd of industry professionals, keen to explore the unique terroir and innovative winemaking that has earned WA wines a global reputation for excellence.

Attendees had the opportunity to delve into the offerings of seven distinct wine regions, including the internationally acclaimed Margaret River and Great Southern, the historic Swan Valley, and exciting up-and-coming areas that are not so well known,...like Geographe, Pemberton, Blackwood Valley, and the Perth Hills.

Larry Jorgensen, CEO of Wines of Western Australia, emphasized the trailblazing spirit of the region, noting that "the quality and winemaking creativity coming from Western Australia's wine regions has never been greater."He highlighted the artisan nature and magnificent seclusion of the industry, which, he believes, has kept these exceptional wines a "well-kept secret" until now.

https://www.sydneytimes.net.au/st-food-wine-guide/western-australi…ey-trade-tasting/

05/06/2025

What an incredible day at the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur! 🤩 I had the immense pleasure of a guided tour with the Executive Marketing Manager, Nigel, who showed me some fantastic rooms, the stunning swimming pool, and the exclusive MO Club Room.
Mandarin Oriental Club Room benefits typically include exclusive access to a dedicated lounge, offering a variety of perks such as daily breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. Guests also often enjoy benefits like complimentary internet access, garment pressing, and the use of a business center or meeting room-How good is that!?
In the MO Club Room, I was treated to a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvée, and we had a delightful chat about the hospitality business and Malaysia's amazing development and progress. So insightful!
The evening concluded with a terrific dinner at the innovative Cantonese Chinese restaurant known as Lai Po Heen. We started with the delicious Oven Baked Scallops with Garlic and Cheese, followed by Lai Po Heen's Wok-fried Beef Tenderloin with Black Pepper and Onions. But the real showstopper was the incredibly delicate Baked Black Codfish on a bed of Spinach with a light Honey and Soy sauce 🐟.
And for dessert? The exotic Musang King Durian Pancakes with whipped cream! Let's just say it made quite an impression, even on my Grab Limo driver on the way home after a good burp! 🤣
Truly a memorable experience from start to finish. Thank you, Nigel and Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, for the exceptional hospitality!

23/05/2025

The Counter Cut at Woodcut

Sydney Friday 23 May,2025

Woodcut has just introduced a new 'Counter Cut' offer (see below) for weekday lunches - it's the perfect spot in the house for busy office workers to have a luxurious feeling lunch without the wait-time, and get a theatrical show around the open kitchen as well.

Introducing Woodcut’s new Counter Cut menu, crafted for those after an elevated lunch break on a busy schedule. Take your seat at the chef's counter with a view over the open kitchen.

Choose from: One course for $55 per person or two courses for $70 per person.

Options include crab cakes, wagyu bresaola with burrata, O’Connor grass fed centre cut fillet with crisp potatoes, and Yellow Tail kingfish with romesco sauce. Served with a selected glass of wine, beer or soft drink.

Tuesday to friday, Lunch

Make your next lunch a front-row experience, and discover ‘The Counter Cut’.

Take your seat at the chef’s counter for effortless dining on busy days. Whether it’s a corporate lunch, client meeting or well-deserved midweek indulgence.

Choose from:

One course for $55 per person
Two courses for $70 per person

Served with a selected glass of wine, beer or soft drink.

Please note this menu is only available at the Chef’s Counter.
THE COUNTER CUT MENU

One course $55, Two courses $70 served with a selected glass of wine, beer or soft drink

Burrata, wagyu bresaola, aged balsamic, olive oil
or
Crab cakes, h**p seeds, saltbush, oyster mayonnaise
or
Shiitake mushrooms, shiso, seaweed, mushroom butter
O’Connor grass fed centre cut fillet, crisp potatoes, Paris butter
or
Yellowtail kingfish, romesco sauce, watercress
or
Squash flowers, organic rice, sheep’s yoghurt, vine leaves

ADDITIONAL SIDES
Skin on chips 14
Hasselback potato, burnt onions 18
Red velvet lettuce, Woodcut salad cream, miche crumb

Menu: crownsydney.com.au

https://www.sydneytimes.net.au/st-food-wine-guide/the-counter-cut-at-woodcut/

16/05/2025

SYDNEY’S EAST LINES UP FROM 5AM FOR THE OPENING OF PAPPA FLOCK
-Pappa Flock’s crispy crunch causes a frenzy in Bondi Junction

Sydney, 16th May.

Bondi Junction officially has chicken fever. Sydneysiders turned out in flocks this morning, with queues forming from 5AM - a full seven hours before doors opened - to be among the first to get their hands on Pappa Flock’s TikTok famous crispy, crunchy chicken tenders, Flock Boxes and iconic house-made lemonades.

The line snaked through the Junction well before breakfast time, proving once again just how insatiable the city’s appetite for crispy chicken really is.

Known for serving up seriously craveable American-style crispy chicken, Pappa Flock’s Bondi Junction opening marks the brand’s eighth store and their biggest launch yet - with fans braving the early morning chill just for a first taste.

“We knew Sydney’s East loved fried chicken, but this was something else. People weren’t just waiting, they were settling in and counting down to crunch-time - the crowd turned the wait into an event in itself,” said Rachel Korbel, Chief Marketing Officer for Pappa Flock.

Pappa Flock is rolling out some 'clucking good' deals across the launch weekend:

Saturday, 17 May: Free upgrade to freshly-squeezed lemonade with all Flock Boxes (until allocation exhausted)

Sunday, 18 May: An extra free chicken tender added to every meal order (until allocation exhausted)

Pappa Flock is now officially open at Westfield Bondi Junction: Shop 3023, 500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022

PAPPA FLOCK LOCATIONS: Parramatta, Westfield Miranda, Frenchs Forest, Casula, Westfield Eastgardens, Macquarie Centre, Rouse Hill and Westfield Bondi Junction, with more locations opening throughout 2025.

09/05/2025

The Mum Blend from Veneziano

This is a reminder that Mother's Day is this weekend!

Be a legend and don’t leave it until the last minute, grab yours before Sunday.

To make Mum extra happy make sure you subscribe to a great coffee deal! Shop on line here:https://venezianocoffee.com.au/collections/

Whether you're into bold espresso blends, single origins, or a convenient caffeine hit on the go, Veneziano’s line-up is crafted for quality and flavour — backed by decades of coffee expertise.

Right now the Sydney Times Newsroom Team are enjoying coffee from Veneziano Coffee Roasters — one of Australia’s most celebrated specialty coffee brands — which offer you the chance to experience their premium range of beans, instant coffee and ready-to-drink (RTD) cans, available for editorial consideration or review.
The Mum Blend
$19.00

Tastes like Milk Chocolate, Nutty & Honey.

A limited-edition Mother’s Day release of our fan-favourite Elevate blend, made to honour the legends we call Mum. Expect a smooth, chocolatey cup with sweet, honey notes. Balanced, bold, and full of character. Just like her.

Whether Mum enjoys coffee black or as a milky, this is the all rounder blend she will love.

The Mum Blend consists of beans from:

Brazil Serra Negra 50%
Colombia Coocentral 50%

Take a look at the full range here Veneziano Coffee Roasters

https://www.sydneytimes.net.au/st-food-wine-guide/the-mum-blend-from-veneziano/

07/05/2025