Sydney Eat Street: Celebrate Mardi Gras with great food and parties
The annual Mardi Gras festivities are back, and they’re prouder than ever with colours and parties galore — with some great food and drink selections.
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Tokyo Lamington
There is a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow – a sumptuous “rainbow” sponge cake filled with mango mousse, dipped in white chocolate, and then covered in confetti.
Tokyo Lamington’s innovative take on the traditional lamington has garnered them a cult-following, not just for its unique cube-design but also their array of unique flavours that balance unexpected ingredients with somewhat familiar tastes.
Co-owners Eddie Stewart and Min Chai created the Rainbow Lamington for Mardi Gras.
“This is the complete opposite of what we usually do. Normally, we develop the flavours and, without much thought about the colours,” Eddie says, adding that surprisingly, the rainbow lamington came together almost immediately.
“We basically got it right the first time,” he says.
“We thought we’d try to work with the colours we have on hand.”
The rainbow sponge itself is actually two parts – the top layer is an ube (purple sweet yam) sponge, and the bottom is a strawberry sponge. Sandwiched in between is a thick layer of a mango mousse. Once assembled, the whole thing is hand-dipped in white chocolate and covered with confetti.
Unfortunately, they’re only able to make a limited number each day, so to avoid disappointment, order online for store-pick-up. And hurry, as they’re already working on the flavour for their next limited-edition release. The Rainbow Lamington will set you back $7 each.
— 277 Australia St, Newtown; tokyolamington.com
Cuckoo Callay
Sydney’s Mardi Gras festivities are world-famous, but it’s the very first Mardi Gras parade that galvanised Cuckoo Callay’s rainbow-coloured menu items to coincide with the Sydney celebration.
“We’re serious about our quirks, and this month, that’s apparent with our rainbow-coloured menu items,” executive chef Ollie Hughes says.
“Taking inspiration from the iconic pride flag, we’ve created a much more colourful take on a Cuckoo classic, adding piped rainbow meringue atop the fan-favourite ube halaya French toast.”
The fan favourite French toast, crunchy nut and cornflakes-coated ube halaya (mashed purple yam) toast, with kaya (coconut jam) and ube halaya jam, lemon curd, coconut, and lime crumble, minus the colourful adornment, has long been a go-to menu, but Ollie’s clever Mardi Gras rendition has made it a fabulous standout.
As for the savoury stunner, this Mardi Gras-inspired dish is less evident than its colourful French companion.
Instead, it’s a nod to New Orleans, the birthplace of the Mardi Gras parade back in 1837.
“We came up with the idea of Shrimp Po’boy as our key savoury Mardi Gras inspired dish because the New Orleans-esque sandwich was a nice way to craft a little more narrative into the limited-edition menu. So, it’s Cuckoo’s way of paying homage to that first parade,” Ollie says.
The Shrimp Po’boy is an authentic New Orleans style sandwich on a hoagie roll that comes stuffed with crispy polenta fried shrimp, cheese, red onion, horseradish remoulade, pickles, lettuce, and a side of salt and vinegar chips.
Rounding out the menu is a cheeky pink watermelon and cucumber sangria. Served in jugs, this fruity blend is made with sauvignon blanc, watermelon, cucumber, lime, honey, and fresh mint.
“We’re always trying to instil that sense of community and connect with Sydney in a really fun yet meaningful way,” Ollie adds.
Cuckoo Callay is also donating $2 from each of the three items on the Mardi Gras menu to ACON – an organisation that supports LGBTQIA+ people statewide.
But wait, there’s more: There will be a Mardi Gras pre-party with DJs and cocktails on March 5 in Surry Hills. Each item on the limited-run Mardi Gras menu is $22 (as in 2022) and is only available through March 6 at both Surry Hills and Newtown cafes.
— 413-415 Crown St, Surry Hills; BC1 Newtown Train Station, Newtown; cuckoo-callay.com.au
The Winery
Is it the Mardi Gras or the ‘Martini Gras’ at The Winery as part of the famous Sydney parade this year?
Manager Lachlan Thompson reveals: “We had a lot of fun creating our colourful Camp Cocktails to celebrate Mardi Gras this year, making sure that not only did the colours look great and pop with brightness but the flavours packed a punch and were deliciously fruity, with just the right amount of pizzazz.”
While this popular restaurant and bar is hidden towards the back of a Sydney laneway, the floral rainbow archway leaves no doubt that you’ve found the entry to The Winery ‘Camp Cocktail’ celebration.
Available through to March 8, there are 13 colourful concoctions on offer, including the oh-so-clever, Loved Up (‘Purple’ – Ink Gin, Fortified Wine, Violet, Citrus, Whites); Pash Me (‘Yellow’ – Vanilla, Rum, Passionfruit, Whites); Soooooo Blujeeee (‘Blue’ – Tequila, Blue Curacao, Rainbow Candy, Citrus); Strawberries & Cream (‘Red’ – Vodka, Amaretto, Popcorn, Strawberry, Cream); Sunkissed (‘Orange’ – Tequila, Aperol, Mandarin, Pineapple); and Yasssssss Green (‘Green’ – Tequila, Aperol, Passionfruit, Pineapple, Fassionola).
The cocktail is just one highlight of The Winery’s Mardi Gras celebrations as they’ve also packed the calendar with a slew of fun events. There’s The Big Gay Brunch. Hosted by Sydney Drag Royalty, guests will enjoy three fabulous courses, including a rainbow cake dessert, with two-hour bottomless drinks (March 5 and 6 at 11.30am, 2pm, 4.30pm for $79pp).
Channel your inner artisan with the Drinks and Doodles session, a life drawing class from Darlinghurst Life Drawing, featuring a nude male model. Beer or wine on arrival. Materials provided. (March 3 from 7pm for $55pp).
To get the good times rolling, head to Camp Movie Night, where they’ll be showing camp classic Pink Flamingos in the courtyard (Monday, February 28).
There’s much more on the calendar, so check out their website for other events, including Three-day Recovery Sessions (March 6-8) with $10 Bloody Marys and Espresso Martinis available all day.
— 285a Crown St, Surry Hills; thewinerysurryhills.com.au
Merivale
There’s a party going on right here, alas it won’t last all year, so be prepared for laughter and good times too at four Merivale venues: ivy Pool Club; The Beresford; The Paddington; and Vic on the Park.
“We’re so passionate about being involved and celebrating this incredibly important part of Sydney’s culture, and we want to keep evolving every year to contribute bigger and better events. The parties are so much fun too,” head of music and entertainment Nick van Tiel says.
“We have such a range of venues across the group and want to make sure all our Mardi Gras events are relevant to both the venues and the different crowds that will attend – we try not to repeat ourselves and do our best to be as vibrant and diverse as the community is that Mardi Gras celebrates.
“We’ll also be hosting viewing parties at some of our venues on Parade Day. We’ll be broadcasting the full show at The Beresford with a live screening in the courtyard, plus hosting a full DJ line-up from 2pm. The vibe will be great.
“Over at Vic on the Park, we will host an epic Mardi Gras takeover with the Dollar Bin Darlings and live broadcasting the parade on the outdoor projector. The ivy is the main hub for the after-party – with loads of events including Boogie by the Pool with Mr Doris, the biggest POOF DOOF of the year with huge international talent – wrapping up on Sunday with a very special Mardi Gras edition of Lost Sundays.”
Poof Doof, usually the nightclub version of the ivy’s Pool Club, will hold their annual four-course long lunch at Uccello, a swish Italian restaurant adjacent to the rooftop pool (Thursday, March 3, 12pm, $155pp.)
Hosted by Charisma Belle, the event brings together a network of LGTB professionals, including keynote speeches from Albert Kruger (CEO of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras), Courtney Act (Australian drag icon), and Kate Wickett (CEO of Sydney World Pride). Starting with an Absolut vodka cocktail, the menu includes spanner crab buns and Kingfish Crudo for the entree, beef shin ragu and pesto Genovese for the pasta course followed by pan-fried snapper and butterflied chicken for mains, and lastly tiramisu and passion fruit sorbet for dessert.
On the other side of town, The Beresford in Surry Hills is hosting the pre-parade Mardi Gras Queen Brunch (Saturday, March 5, $95pp), and at The Paddington, a more intimate venue is also hosting a Parade Day Brunch with an Absolut Thirst Trap cocktail on arrival followed by a feast that includes lobster croquettes, rotisserie chicken, and mango custard. Last but not least, Vic on the Park is ramping up for the Vic on the Pardi Gras on March 5, starting at 2pm until late. Very late.
For full details on these action-packed events and so much more, visit the dedicated Mardi Gras page on Merivale’s website.
WHAT’S FRESH
Absolut Thirst Trap cocktail at the SCG
While all eyes will be on the 6500 marchers, 160 fabulous glittering floats, and A-list performers at the Mardi Gras Parade at the SCG from 6pm on Saturday, March 5, the food and drink line-up is also worthy of attention as late last year Merivale took over the culinary offering late last year, creating casual takeaway options created by celebrated Merivale chefs including Dan Hong (Ms G’s, Mr Wong), Mike Eggert (Totti’s) and, Ben Greeno (The Paddington, Hotel Centennial).
However, a highlight will be Merivale’s exclusive cocktail, The Absolut Thirst Trap. Available at all locations, including the SCG, this concoction mixes Absolut Passionfruit, fresh lemon, hibiscus, makrut lime leaf and passionfruit with soda water.
This pretty pink beverage will not only get you moving and grooving throughout the weekend but during Pride Season, $2 from every cocktail will be going back to the community, with donations being made to The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and ACON.
— merivale.com/whatson/mardi-gras-events/cocktail/
Four Pillars Laboratory
They’re not just a pretty bottle, they’re also pretty clever with the cocktails. A new addition to the line-up is the cheeky Only Flans, a pre-mixed drink made with Four Pillars Modern Australian Gin and the silky-smooth flavours of Continental Deli’s “pineapple and caramel, “Flan in a Can”.
Grab a bottle for home ($75) or order one at the upstairs bar, Eileen’s. Imbibe with a clear conscious knowing that a portion of sales go to Out For Australia.
On Parade Day (Saturday, March 5, from 5pm) DJs Carolina Gasolina and St Croix will there be mixing tunes. Bookings are recommended but walk-ins are welcome should there be space available.
— 410 Crown St, Surry Hills; fourpillarsgin.com
Berrima Vault House
To keep the Mardi Gras glow going for another week head down the Southern Highlands way to the swish Berrima Vault House, a former jail and inn, turned restaurant, social club, and boutique accommodation.
The expansive space with a seemingly endless nooks and crannies, BVH will host not just one, but three parties spread over two floors and five rooms. There’ll be DJs, dancers and performers, with food and drinks available to purchase, including two Mardi Gras cocktails: Sex on the Peach - Ketel One Vodka, peach puree, lemon juice, apple juice and egg white; and BVH Stonewall - white and dark rum, orange juice, passionfruit juice, grenadine, and lime juice. (Saturday, March 12, 5pm-12am; $50pp entry fee).
— 11 Old Hume Hwy, Berrima; berrimavaulthouse.com
Brick Lane Brewing - One Love ‘Loud & Proud’ Pale Ale
Brick Lane Brewing, an established independent brewer, is celebrating Mardi Gras in the only way they know how - with beer of course, but more specifically, a limited-edition version of its award-winning One Love Pale Ale, the “Loud & Proud One Love Pale Ale. Created in partnership with BWS and Dan Murphy’s 100 per cent of the proceeds will go to the Pride Foundation Australia which is dedicated to building a society where all LGBTQIA+ people experience equality and inclusion. Available in stores and online.
— danmurphys.com.au; bws.com.au
Beast & Co
BoHo-chic meets Czech cooking, featuring the flavours and techniques of traditional dishes but in a decidedly unique modern manner. If you’ve yet to experience this culinary sensation, their Mardi Grad Bottomless Picnic Brunch, a shared picnic menu ($49pp) with such offerings as coconut and lime ceviche, BBQ prawn skewers, and crackling pork belly with flatbread, that you can enjoy out on the beer garden turned “grassy lawn”.
There’s also a vegan menu ($49pp) and the option to add two-ours of bottomless drinks ($40pp) including mimosas, gin & tonics, house wines, and lager. Plus, there’s a roaming cart with $14 rainbow Patron margaritas. (Saturday, March 5, 11am-5pm). If your Parade Day is already booked, rock up for the Recovery Bottomless Brunch ($49pp, optional two-hour bottomless drinks an additional $30).
— 425 Bourke St, Surry Hills; beastandco.com.au/mardi-gras
Kimpton’s Margot Sydney
A relative newcomer to Sydney’s hotel scene Kimpton’s is a chic boutique hotel that celebrates the heritage-listed architecture but with modern amenities and conveniences as well as a number of dining and bar options with menus curated by Australia’s’ own, Luke Mangan. At The Wilmot, an art deco bar reminiscent of the 1930’s, there’ll be two Mardi Gras themed cocktails: Love at First Sigh (Thyme-infused vodka, St Germain, citrus, pineapple, orange and Blue Curacao ($20); and Kiss Kiss - Rose pink Gin, Jalapeno infused Chartreuse, rose, starling, lime, and soda. ($20).
— 339 Pitt St, Sydney; kimptonmargotsydney.com
Beckett’s
Get a head start on the weekend’s festivities with some enthralling entertainment in an elegant setting. The grand and historic Glebe venue will welcome guests in for an evening of show tunes and camp classics by flamboyant drag queen, Crystal Ball.
As fabulous fashions are a must for the season, Beckett’s will be giving out a Best Dressed Award, the catch being you must come dressed to the nines in Pantone’s colour of the year, Very Peri (periwinkle).
Come for the entertainment, but definitely stay for the delectable dishes on the enticing mod-Euro menu . (Thursday, March 3, 2022, from 7pm).
— 134A Glebe Point Rd, Glebe; beckettsbardining.com.au
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