Sydney Eat Street: Christmas in July
It’s the perfect time of our year to borrow from our northern hemisphere cousins and enjoy a warm and toasty christmas feast. Now, where’s the crackers?
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It’s the perfect time of our year to borrow from our northern hemisphere cousins and enjoy a warm and toasty christmas feast. Now, where’s the crackers?
Munich Brauhaus
Break out the hat and scarf, as it’s time to head out and into the city to hit up Munich Brauhaus’ month-long German-inspired Christmas in July celebrations. The lively, family-friendly venue will be transformed into a winter wonderland with fun games, festive activities, and generous winter feasts.
Pacific Concepts culinary director Don Lama says expect platters of classic food such as the Munich Platter with crackling pork belly, crispy whole pork knuckle, Frankfurter, Nürnberger and Thuringer. They’ve also added traditional Bavarian winter treats including Gluhwein (mulled wine), hot chocolate and Feuerzangenbowle, a type of German flaming punch.
33 PLAYFAIR ST & ARGYLE ST, THE ROCKS; MUNICHBRAUHAUS.COM.AU
Forrester’s
Gather the gang and prepare for a jolly good time at Forrester’s in Surry Hills. They’ve decked the halls to set the stage for a month-long yuletide celebration featuring a Christmas feast. Head chef Rohit Bohora says: “You can expect prawn cocktail, a warming winter roast of free-range ham, heaps of veg and mash, covered in lashings of gravy.”
This family feast goes for $70pp with a minimum of four, and requires 48hrs notice. If you’re after a festive feed but not a full dinner, there’s no going past Forrester’s famous Yorkie. Available for lunch and dinner through to July 31.
336 RILEY ST, SURRY HILLS; FORRESTERS.COM.AU
The Botanist
There’s an allure to the other hemisphere’s cold-weather yuletide customs, particularly the Christmas dinner. At The Botanist, a Kirribilli hotspot, head chef Sendura Lim has curated just such a warming feast.
The banquet menu will focus on seasonal ingredients from land and sea, showcasing locally sourced and sustainable produce, including such seafood-centric entrees as Abrolhos Island scallops with garlic butter, Cured Mt Cook alpine salmon and prawn cocktails. 17 WILLOUGHBY ST, KIRRIBILLI; THEBOTANIST.COM.AU
The Castlereach by Fassnidge
It will be a fun and festive evening of food and frivolity at The Castlereagh by Fassnidge’s Ugly Sweaters & Xmas Carols Christmas in July dinner. Hosted by La Boheme wines, this four-course matching wine experience will feature such dishes as gin-cured Atlantic salmon, Irish whiskey-glazed turkey, and a pressed apple terrine with rosewater cream, each paired perfectly with a wine to complement the course.
True to its name, there’ll be an ugly sweater contest and roaming carollers belting out those all-too-familiar holiday tunes. The event is being held on Tuesday, July 25, from 6pm to 11pm. Tickets are $120pp and are available via Humantix on The Castlereagh’s website. 199 CASTLEREAGH ST, SYDNEY; THECASTLEREAGHCLUB.COM.AU
Tinseltown
The magic of Christmas has made its way Down Under, taking up residence at Tinseltown, a pop-up bar off Cleveland St in Surry Hills.
There’s a holiday-themed cocktail on arrival plus an extensive list of other Chrissie cocktails, including non-alcoholic drinks. This 90-minute immersive experience is for adults but there are family-friendly sessions too.
EXPLOREHIDDEN.COM
Coogee Bay Hotel
It’s been 150 years since the Coogee Bay Hotel (CBH) opened its doors to this beachside community. To mark the occasion, this iconic venue has planned a series of events through August, including a Winterfest Market, held July 22-23. Over two days, CBH will transform its alfresco beer garden into a marketplace with stalls offering mulled wine, hot toddies, a range of beers and spirit tastings.
Tuck into succulent pork neck, chicken, and lamb ribs, still piping hot from their outdoor grill and smoker, plus Burek on Wheels will be onsite serving freshly-baked Balkan pastries. Admittance to the event is free; however, patrons will need to purchase tokens for the tastings.
253 COOGEE BAY RD, COOGEE; COOGEEBAYHOTEL.COM.AU
Restaurant 317
For over 20 years, this stylish Parramatta restaurant has been serving up rustic Italian and Mediterranean dishes prepared with a contemporary twist, and much to the delight of coeliacs everywhere, everything here is available as a gluten-free option.
There are also plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and halal items on the menu, making Restaurant 317 one of NSW’s most inclusive restaurants, which is particularly important when wrangling friends and family for a Christmas in July banquet.
317 CHURCH ST, PARRAMATTA; 317.COM.AU
Chiswick Woollahra
As the days get darker, Chiswick is here to help brighten your Sunday evenings with jazz sessions and a roast dinner culminating with a special Christmas in July menu on the 30th.
For this one-off event, Head Chef Taylor Cullen will prepare Matt MoranÕs honey-glazed ham, Chiswick roast turkey, along with crispy duck fat potatoes, spiced parsnips, and carrots, and then finally, ChiswickÕs famous pavlova. ($90pp; Minimum of two people).
65 OCEAN ST, WOOLLAHRA; CHRISWOOLLAHRA.COM.AU
East Village Sydney
With its sweeping view of the Sydney skyline, the rooftop at this Darlinghurst pub draws a crowd throughout the year, but come July, the festive decorations and fairy lights grab your attention.
Welcome to EVs Winter Wonderland, where patrons sit under toasty heaters, sipping mulled wine and indulging in fountains of gooey cheese and flowing chocolate fondue. This enviable setting is open daily throughout July from 5pm-10pm; however, the fondue is only available Sunday through Thursday and needs to be pre-ordered.
234 PALMER ST, DARLINGHURST; EASTVILLAGESYDNEY.COM.AU
The Winery
It’s the epitome of urban camping — a heated bell tent stylishly set with plush floor cushions scattered across the soft rug.
This top-notch Glampsite is tastefully located in the courtyard garden of Surry Hills hotspot, The Winery. Each tent accommodates up to eight people and includes a three-course shared-menu Glamp Feast ($55pp) with a charcuterie board, Wagyu sliders, Andouille sausage, a surprise dessert, and a variety of sides.
For an additional $29pp, you can get a drinks package with a winter cocktail to start, matching wine or beer with the main courses and an Espresso Martini with dessert. Bring your fur buddy along for an additional $12, they get their own mini tent and a doggy treat-laden Bark-uterie board.
Make it a full family affair with the Mini Glamping package, which includes a kids grazing board, hot chocolate, a dessert, and a colouring set for $15pp. For a more intimate evening with your special someone, there’s a Date Night package with a two-course menu and a bottle of Piper Heidsieck ($240). The WineryÕs Glampsites will run for two hours from noon daily in winter. Spaces are limited for this cool experience, so hop online soon to make your booking.
285A CROWN ST, SURRY HILLS; THEWINERYSURRYHILLS.COM.AU/EVENTS/GLAMPING
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