Australia Food and Drink
Adelaide, Wine Bar and Tapas, The Apothecary
Major find! Tapas, Wine bar, and a super posh yet not expensive restaurant upstairs. I originally just stopped in for a glass of wine and was planning to go elsewhere for dinner. That plan went all wonderfully pear shaped (Aussie for “did not come to fruition” ). Thank goodness for that I might have missed some of the most amazing flavours I have ever encountered. The staff was extremely helpful in answering questions about food allergy friendly options.
Located in an old shop front, the owner has lovingly and painstakingly restored an antique apothecary service into a beautiful dark wood bar. The front has wrought iron furniture and little tables that make you think of an old time soda fountain. The center piece of the room, is of course, the bar itself which hosts the splendid array of fresh tapas.
Down the stairs is a cigar-room-feeling lounge that any inner city socialite would be proud to be found frequenting. Leather chairs and sofas, brick industrial walls and just the right mood lighting. I can only imagine a few romantic interludes must occur there nightly. It is perfect for looking deep into their eyes….
Date: January 8th, 2007 |
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Sydney: Gourmet Food Safari Tours
Living in Sydney, it is difficult not to, (at the very minimum) be a closet foodie. There are just so many phenominal places to eat and so many types of food available that you would almost have to live under a bridge not to notice. (actually some of the best places to eat on the north shore are right under the bridge….) Well one enterprising group has decided to cater for those foodies who have come out of the closet and for those just dabbling at starting to make this delicious lifestyle choice.
Gourmet Safaris is an organization that has created such favorites as World in a Day or Italy in a Day. The tours are aimed at people that are interested in experiencing Sydney’s food culture, but want to let someone else do the driving, parking, and picking. Honestly- the variety of fabulous eating options can be overwhelming for a first time visitor. This is one way you can just sit back relax and eat.
Here are the details of a few of their offerings:
Date: December 18th, 2006 |
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Tuffles Galore! Kirribilli and Cafe Luigi
Want to eat brekkie with the Prime Minister? Kirribilli is the home of the Prime Minister’s Sydney residence and is a funky little suburb with massive views. Basically built underneath the Harbour bridge- it is a darling tree lined place with fantastic markets and many fabulous tiny little eateries. Get ready to get cozy with your neighbor.
Café’ Luigi is only one of the many places to eat, but a definite stand out. Their breakfast blew my sock off! Not literally I think I was wearing sandals- but you get my meaning. Their food was mouth-wateringly attractive as I walked by and was only considering whether to get breakfast in Kirribilli or head back home to Manly for a little Barking Frog action, when I came to a screeching halt and found myself already sitting in a chair.
Date: November 7th, 2006 |
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BlueBelle Cafe and Cottage Nursery, DeepWater, NSW ‘Bring us a Shubbery!’
Adorable! Fresh Baked Goods! Locally made Art! Clean Toilets! All of the perfect reasons to take a Driver Reviver stop at the BlueBelle Café and Cottage Nursery in Deepwater, NSW.
DeepWater is a tiny little village between Glen Innes (Celtic Standing Stones) and Tenterfield (wineries) in the Northern part of NSW known as New England. A cheery pot bellied stove kept court over the dining room which was overrun by stuffed animals, paintings, preserves, marinated olives, and linens- all locally made.
Date: October 22nd, 2006 |
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Oz Survival Guide to Food- Chips, Crisps, Chilli and Chicken?
One thing I have always enjoyed when travelling to far and distant lands is checking out the local junk food. Even with different states in the US- there is regional variation. I do have to say- awards go to Texas for some of the most inventive corn chip flavours. ANYWAY… back to Oz.
Upon arrival here- at a pub…as one does… I took my turn to buy bar snacks- ie. Potato Chips. I came back with two bags of plain salt flavoured because I was uncertain about the popularity of the other flavours. I was immediately met with massive disapproval and scolded for my humanitarian efforts to sober us up a bit. I was very coldly informed- “Aussies like any flavour of chip EXCEPT boring old plain salt chips!” My tail between my legs… I tucked that piece of information away and watched them proceed to eat the boring old salt chips anyway. While some of you may be saying that sounds a bit harsh… you’d be right.
In an effort to spare any of the rest of you the same social embarrassment- May I suggest: The Aussies love their sweet chilli and chicken flavoured chips the best. (I know I know… it sounds gross). Chips at a pub tend to be around $3.80 and they give them to you in a bowl for sharing.
Date: October 12th, 2006 |
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Australian Wine Review- Tim Smith, Barossa Valley
Tim Smith Grenache Mataro Shiraz 05′, Barossa Valley.
Omigosh! Let me say that again. Omigosh! I realize that is not proper wine speak and I don’t claim to be a wine expert, however, it sums up the initial feeling that the wine created. Spicy, it completely coats the tongue with pepper and cinnamon. Make sure you get that nose in the glass! It has a lush heady nose that leaves you breathless wanting more (cheesy I know but true none the less). The finish leaves you with …
Date: January 3rd, 2007 |
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Attention Food Intolerants! Cafe’ Mosman!
Café Mosman is at the top of Military Road just down from the Spit. Mosman has several great little café’s. Though most importantly there is one that caters for genetic defects like myself with food intolerance’s. This place is a god send! A cozy little place that has plenty of outdoor seating, it caters for several different intolerance’s but specializes in Gluten intolerance.
YES! There is a place you can go that has lasagna, cookies, carrot cake, and many other things that are all aimed at the dietary-ially challenged. Those of you blessed with perfect intestinal integrity, fear not- there are plenty of “normal” things to eat as well. Shop 6/611 Military Rd. Mosman. 02 9969 8729
Date: December 13th, 2006 |
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Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly NSW
The Artichoke Gallery Cafe, is not only a cafe but also Sangria Bar and Local live music venue. This cozy little eatery is one of the best and most friendly venues for local musicians to get heard and make a little money. The restaurant itself is in a Federation Style Terrace house in Manly- tiny little tables provide big atmosphere as they are squeezed into the antique space. Works from local artists line the walls, board games and literature are available and the setting is as they say …
Date: October 29th, 2006 |
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Cheap Stuff- Pub Meals
One other way to save a bit of dosh on your nosh- is to eat at a pub. You will have to scout your pubs carefully, some are tragically expensive. Then there are the few local beauties that offer $5 steak day, Free steak with the purchase of a beverage (oh darn), Trivia night with half price mains, etc.
If you are wiley and have the time between parties to scout it out- I reckon (Aussie for: I would imagine you would find it so..) you could find a local pub or Thai restaurant with a special …
Date: October 12th, 2006 |
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Snowy Mountains- Wildbrumby Schnapps
The Snowy Mountains are in the Southern part of New South Wales. They are the home of the highest peak in OZ, and are a region worth exploring during all seasons. A Brumby is a wild horse. A lot that see themselves and “battlers”, the Aussies love their highly independent bands of wild horses. If you’ve haven’t yet- you should watch the classic The Man From Snowy River an entertaining flick, it embodies the feelings of outback frontier Australia and also showcases the romantic view of the horses. ‘Mountain bred and mountain born’ I think the famous line from the movie (which is based on a poem) goes.
About 15 minutes down the Alpine Way heading west from Jindabyne (Jindy) is the Wildbrumby Schnappery. Amongst the barren rock strewn Snowy mountain foothills- this little oasis has free tastings, continental cafe, artists studio and a sculpture garden. There’s a saying if it holds still long enough- the Swiss will try to shnapp it. Well I’m pretty sure Monika was Austrian and Brad Australian- but you get the picture. Regardless of pedigree. They have formed a world class schnappery with many varieties to chose from.
Date: October 10th, 2006 |
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