Sydney Eat Street: Everest Carnival foodie finds at Royal Randwick
Pretty in Pink. Duck into this stand-alone pop-up bar at the Everest Carnival for a refreshing Gordon’s Pink Gin cocktail.
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It’s the richest race on turf in the world and it’s held right here in Sydney. Even if the track is not in your favour, it’s a sure bet that you’ll pick a winner with a wide range of foodie options at The Everest Carnival.
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GORDON’S PINK GIN BAR
Pretty in Pink. Duck into this stand-alone pop-up bar for a Gordon’s Pink Gin cocktail. They’re quite light and refreshing and with a drink in hand, they’re so Instagrammable.
THE ESTATE
A clear frontrunner for trackside luxury is Royal Randwick’s latest addition to its impressive hospitality portfolio, The Estate.
Located just past the winning post, this premium precinct offers guests all the glitz and glamour befitting the world’s richest race on turf.
Spread out over two venues, guests can indulge in a special menu curated by award-winning chef, Guillaume Brahimi, of Bistro Guillaume and the man behind Guillaume at Bennelong, a world-renowned restaurant that until 2013 had residence at the base of the Opera House.
A Sydney local and avid racegoer himself, Brahimi is excited to be a part of the event and while his French-inspired dishes are being served throughout The Everest Carnival, he’s prepared a special menu just for the big race — chargrilled king salmon and crispy pork belly, seared scallops and Avruga caviar as well as the tres Parisian Wagyu beef cheeks with Paris mash and red wine sauce.
THE CHAIRMAN’S CLUB
Come race day, Royal Randwick turns into the biggest restaurant in Sydney, yet somehow, executive chef George Mullen manages to pull it off in style.
But then again after nearly 20 years overseeing Royal Randwick’s kitchen, he pretty much knows what people want. Fortunately for them, Mullen is quite picky when it comes to food.
Only the absolute freshest will do and with so many dishes to prepare that’s a pretty tall order, that is of course unless you have his stellar reputation as an industry veteran, which tends to make things a tick easier.
Up in The Chairman’s Club, he and executive sous chef Warren Jackson take that passion for quality to a premium level where they have developed a menu to reflect the concerted effort that is made to source local ingredients ranging from Sydney’s own Pepe Saya butter to Wonboyn Lake Sydney rock oysters.
There’ll be a variety of mains, such as seared red snapper, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and a house favourite, spice rubbed Riverina sirloin.
So no need for a form guide, here odds of a delicious and satisfying meal are always in your favour.
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FOOD TRUCKS ON EAT STREET
Fast track your way over to Eat Street where you’re sure to back a winner. There you’ll find close to 20 of Sydney’s favourite food trucks offering everything from slow-cooked meats from Hardstyle Kitchen to Vietnamese rice-paper rolls and banh mi at Trinhy’s.
A standout on the rolling kitchen scene is Chur Burger Food Truck with its loaded fries and mouth-watering burgers.
“We love coming out to the races,” says owner, and former Aria chef William Love-Hill.
“Win or lose, it’s always a great vibe and what better way to celebrate than with a burger and beer.”
Follow that up with dessert from Sydney Ice-Cream and you can tell everyone you watched the races while enjoying a four-course meal.
MALT SHOVEL TAPHOUSE
With 40,000 bottles of champagne corks popped over the seven-week Everest Carnival, you’d think bubbles and the basic beers would be the only drinks on offer, but fear not as more options have arrived at Royal Randwick.
The old Octagonal bar has gotten a massive overhaul and now boasts 25 different beers including ones from Byron Bay Brewery and Brooklyn Breweries, the perfect accompaniment to a roast chicken or pork belly roll from the newly installed rotisserie.
What was once a dimly lit watering hole has been transformed into a sun-drenched space with a long wooden bar, and in case you get so absorbed in your pint and roasted meat sandwich, there’s a huge mural of racehorses that’s a handy reminder.
MOËT & CHANDON VENDING MACHINE
A far cry from the cranky snack machine in the break room, this posh beauty only delivers mini bottles of champagne.
No need to search for loose change or crisp bills for this one you receive a special token to insert in the coin slot and Voila. Tres chic. ($35 each, located in both General Admission Area and The Stables).
LUCIO PIZZERIA
In the time it takes to get a latte, Lucio De Franco of Lucio Pizzeria can bake a true Nepolatana pizza in hit portable wood-fire oven and serve it up piping hot — all within 90 seconds. Great when you’ve got mere minutes put lay down a wager.
PONY PALMS
Palm Springs comes trackside complete with a pool, private cabanas and some uber-cool DJs. Pre-order one of the loaded seafood platters or veggies and dips, grab a Chandon cocktail and don those dark sunnies as this place is beyond hip.
MOËT & CHANDON GARDEN
An intimate garden space out on the lawn, this lovely setting is surrounded by white picket fences and flower covered arches and a bar in the middle encircling a golden tower of champagne bottles.
THE STABLES
This is the place to be when all the races are run and the crowds start to move towards the Theatre of the Horses for a performance by singing sensation, former Destiny’s Child member, Kelly Rowland.
Up on the fourth level, you get to rise above it all while sipping on some bubbles from the new Moët & Chandon bar, an Old Fashioned from Maker’s Mark or just a light spritz from Gordon’s Gin. There’s also bar platters available for those who are still a bit peckish.