Sydney Eat Street: 2021 Christmas lunch venues
Make this Christmas lunch one to remember. Casual or refined, it’s all about getting loved ones back together.
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Silvester’s
Food has a way of bringing people together, especially during the holiday season.
“Christmas lunch is always very special but this year it has a particular feeling as for the first time in over two years many families are gathering and celebrating together,” Silvester’s head chef Raphael Szurek says.
“It is a great time to share and reconnect with the people you haven’t seen in a while. Eating, in any cultures or religions is always a vector to unity.”
Suited to the occasion, Raphael has put together an epic Christmas lunch that starts with a shared three-tier seafood tower of “Appellation” oysters, poached WA lobster tails, Skull Island jumbo prawns, Hervey Bay scallops, kingfish, and tuna crudo.
From there it’s Raphael’s signature foie gras and ham hock terrine followed by baked glacier 51 toothfish, roasted free range chicken and Berkshire pork loin.
“This year’s menu is very special as we want to offer great value for money but also top-quality products,” Raphael says.
“The seafood is the perfect example of that as we combine all sustainable seafood (WA Lobster, Skull Island Prawns, Hervey Bay Scallops, Tuna, King Fish….) to share at the table.
“Then we have a second appetiser to share, a terrine of ham hock and foie gras which for me represents the food I used to have for Christmas as a kid.
“The Christmas dessert buffet is called Santa’s favourites and is a combination of classic Christmas sweets with a modern twist. To name only one, this year we have created a salted-caramel and dark chocolate Yule Log – they’re sure to be crowd favourites.
“It is a French Christmas tradition that dates to the 19th century. The cake represents the yule log that families would burn starting on Christmas Eve. The burning of the yule log symbolised the new year to come and would bring good luck to the family.”
Christmas lunch is $200pp, with three-hour drinks package $250pp, $100 kids 5-12
— Silvester’s Restaurant, 30 Pitt St, Sydney; 12.30-3pm, December 25, 2021
Fratelli Fresh
Raised glasses, shared plates, and a “four-course Festa Italiana”; it’s a wonderful way to celebrate a post-Covid-19 lockdown Christmas with family and friends.
Toast with a Limoncello on arrival before launching into their signature antipasti board; it’s practically a meal unto its own, is served alongside warm bread rolls with whipped butter and fresh prawn bucket.
Next up is carved maple syrup and honey-glazed ham, and 12-hour, slow-cooked lamb shoulder with plenty of sides dishes.
Finishing off with dessert, a mixed fruit platter with whipped cream and meringue shards.
Fratelli’s three locations (Entertainment Quarter, Darling Harbour and Manly) make organising the reunion just that much easier … and festive.
Before lunching in Darling Harbour, check out the precinct’s winter wonderland with a 6m tall, multi-coloured Christmas baubles and more holiday installations. At their Entertainment Quarter location, you can sit outside in the beer garden, surrounded by luscious greenery and zesty lemon and olive trees, while the Manly venue has all the sights and sounds that make it such a coveted beach destination.
The four-course, share-style, two-hour lunch has seating from 11am to 3pm ($89pp, $39 under 12 years, add a drinks package for $39pp).
Christmas Lunch at Home
It’s not quite Christmas lunch without seafood on the table, which makes Sydney Fish Market’s 36-hour Seafood Marathon such a timely event.
It’s been an institution for more than 20 years, offering Sydneysiders access to all the premium, local seafood for a memorable Christmas spread.
The doors open at 5am on December 23 until closing 5pm on December 24, and as the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere, if you want something specific, odds are really good that they have it.
It’s not just fish though, you can also pick-up the fixings for your traditional lunch celebrated chef Sean Connolly has been brought on board as culinary ambassador to oversee the other food and beverage offerings including a butcher, baker, greengrocer, gourmet small goods shop, as well cookbooks and a range of gourmet sauces and fish salt, personally formulated by Sean along with a cookbook and other gourmet products.
If you can’t make it out on the day though, getfish.com.au is an online seafood site based as the markets and delivers daily within 50 km of Pyrmont.
If you’re after a more curated selection, that comes direct from the suppliers with same day delivery fishme.com.au is a good option.
Also, don’t forget the bubbles. There’s a bottle shop at the markets but to make sure everyone can imbibe why not try something from Lyre’s, (lyres.com), an award-winning non-alcoholic spirits brand, that not only has canned zero-alcohol cocktails, but, for the holidays, has just dropped Classico a non-alcoholic Sparkling Wine.
If you do however prefer your bubbles with a little potency and big flavour SOFI Spritzes (sofispritz.com) uses Australian wines and natural flavours for a refreshing summer drink.
The Star
The Star has something for everyone to eat on Christmas Day this year. From signature restaurants to casual dining, there’s a jackpot of choices.
Known for blending traditional and modern Japanese fare with artistry and skill, Sokyo’s seafood-centric Christmas menu starts with a glass of champagne on arrival then follows with their famous miso-glazed toothfish, as well as sushi, sashimi, Wagyu and more. ($200pp).
At BLACK Bar & Grill, chef Dany Karam’s mastery of wood-fired meats and seafood epitomises the practice of cooking with fire.
The festive menu commences with a glass of champagne on arrival accompanied by oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, followed by premium meats and seafood moving on to succulent meats or seafood and dessert to finish. ($230pp).
For seafood, seafood and more seafood, Flying Fish has it all including Eastern rock lobster, tuna sashimi, West Australian marron, prawns, and scallops plus a glass of champagne on arrival for ($195pp).
Flavours from some of Italy’s many regions can be found at Cucina Porto ($95pp). Kick back and appreciate the casual and relaxed setting at middle-eastern restaurant, Bar Tikram where you’ll enjoy shared plates of braised lamb shoulder with minted yoghurt and green herb salad, market fish with spiced tahini and mixed nuts and a traditional Lebanese coffee parfait ($70pp).
With such a selection the chips are surely stacked in your favour.
— 80 Pyrmont Rd, Pyrmont; star.com.au
Gowings Bar & Grill’s ‘QT at Home’
For a last-minute at home Christmas Day feasting option, the award-winning CBD restaurant Gowings Bar & Grill has you sorted. With just a little reheating and plating you’ll be serving up tiger prawns in cognac-horseradish Mary Rose, Slow Roasted Suckling Berkshire Porchetta, and a Pavlova in no time.
There are also starters and sides aplenty, and even a Christmas playlist to keep things festive. ($649; serves four to six people. Order by December 22. Available for collection December 23 and 24).
— 1/49 Market St, Sydney; gowingsbarandgrill.com.au
Providoor
Your favourites restaurants are heading your way with drop-offs happening until December 24. Thanks to Providoor, you can have a Christmas meal such as XOPP & Golden Century’s XO pipis, slow-roasted lamb from Chiswick, and oh so much.
Din Tai Fung
The ever-clever dumpling masters are at it again with limited-edition Chocolate Lava Christmas Buns that come in the form of a gift-wrapped present and colourful snowflakes. They’ll be available at all 10 Din Tai Fung stores across Australia ($8.90 for three pieces) and via frozen delivery ($8.50 for three pieces) from their online store.
There’s also a festive Frozen Christmas Hamper with Din Tai Fung favourites including Xiao Long Bao (12 pieces), Kung Pao chicken, and a serve of Chocolate Lava Christmas Buns.
The Langham Hotel Sydney
Whether it’s a staycation for you or a stay-over for relatives, you’re sure to enjoy the dining options both in the lead-up to Christmas and on Christmas Day. There’s a Festive Luxury Buffet that runs through December 23 (from $108pp), Christmas Eve (December 24) lunch and dinner sittings ($248pp, including beverage package), and lunch and dinner sitting on Christmas Day (December 25) with prices from $248pp to $398pp depending on drinks package.
Kids of all ages will be excited to see Santa’s letterbox next to the stunning pink Langham Christmas Tree and if they’re on the big guy’s nice list, he may even make a special appearance from 12.30pm on Christmas Day.
— 89-113 Kent St, Millers Point; langhamhotels.com
The Gantry, Pier One
There’s no denying the delight of a Christmas Day along Sydney Harbour, however you can always take it to the next level with a luxe Christmas lunch buffet at Pier One in Walsh Bay. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat session with sparkling, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks from 12.30pm-3.30pm ($349pp for adults, $199pp for teens aged 13-17 and $99 for kids 5-12).
If choice is an issue opt for the four-course tasting menu showcasing local, seasonal ingredients and a glass of champagne on arrival ($349pp), but if you’re really splurging after the lengthy lockdown, the premium seafood platter with a four-course tasting menu, petit fours, and matching wines is calling your name ($799pp).
— 11 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay; pieronesydneyharbour.com.au
What’s Fresh
VENTUNO
The team behind some of Sydney’s most epic waterfront venues, Sydney Restaurant Group has opened its newest venue in the arts precinct of Walsh Bay.
Head chef Adam Spencer (Ripples Milsons Point) has stayed with the prior occupant’s focus on Italian fare, complete with wood-fire pizza. Ventuno’s philosophy is: “Let us do the work this Christmas so you can relax with loved ones.”
Enjoy a three-course lunch by the water starting off with housemade focaccia, ocean trout tartare, and chive & crispy onion tart. Further along is cured blue eye trevalla, duck, pork & pancetta terrine, and smoked La stella burrata.
There’ll be three mains including lamb rump, barramundi with heirloom tomatoes, gnocchi with zucchini flowers. It’ll be tough but save some room for dessert: plum pudding Tiramisu, and raspberry & caramelised white chocolate cheesecake ($225pp, $95 for kids)
For those who prefer a leisurely lunch at home but minus the cooking, Sydney Restaurant Group offers ready-made Christmas dining with a set menu designed for six to 10 people.
It includes maple-glazed ham, slow cooked lamb shoulder, potato salad with crab, salmon roe and chives, cured ocean trout, roasted asparagus and broccolini and so much more.
You’ll need to be quick though as online orders close December 20 at 5pm and are to be picked up on Christmas Eve. ($595-$795).
— 21 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay; ventuno.com.au
Winter warmers to celebrate the season
Everyone is happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds, but winter’s not all bad. Bid farewell to the colder days with one last hurrah of warming fare.
Sniffing out Sydney’s best truffle desserts
Save the best for last. As truffle season comes to a close, be sure to indulge in some sweet treats featuring the annual earthy gem.