Sydney Eat Street: Perfect food for Valentine’s Day
Dial up the romance by gifting your partner a delicious treat for Valentine’s Day and just hope they share it with you.
Eat Street
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It’s the perfect day to express your love through an exquisite meal, a romantic picnic or a delectable sweet treat.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram or Twitter. #SydneyEatStreet
SWEET BELEM
While you’d gladly walk 500 miles for the love of your life, a drive to Sweet Belem in Petersham for a box of arguably the best Portuguese tart in Sydney is sure to work just as well, if not better. Owner Jose Silva (ex-head chef at Guillaume at Bennelong), credits the popularity of the flaky-shelled pastry to the creamy custard made with yolks from locally-farmed free-range eggs.
Of course, love and attention go into everything behind the glass case, but come Valentine’s Day, there’ll be an extra amount on display with heart-shaped cakes, including chocolate and salted caramel tarts, assorted cake balls, and moist red velvet cupcakes.
Ensure you don’t miss out and pre-order online for a February 14 pick-up.
35B NEW CANTERBURY RD, PETERSHAM; SWEETBELEM.COM.AU
NEW SHANGHAI
New Shanghai’s famous soup dumplings will get some charming company through February 14 with a limited-edition Valentine’s special, chocolate-filled xiao long bao.
Filled with warm chocolate, these ruby-red pockets will be a pleasant way to finish your romantic dinner. There are four per serve – that’s two each, or if you’re head over heels in love, save one for cupid.
(Available at Westfield Sydney and Chatswood Chase).
NEWSHANGHAI.COM.AU
THICC COOKIES
On a relatively recent trip to New York, Christopher Scheldrik found love, not so much the romantic kind, but rather an affinity for the Big Apple’s massive chocolate chip-filled cookies - crisp on the outside and moist inside.
So instead of longing for his lost love, he made his own version in Sydney, confident others would soon share his passion for THICC cookies.
He was correct, and for Valentine’s Day, THICC has bundled boxes with four different flavours: “Tella You Love ‘Em” ($30 per box + shipping), each one filled with either Nutella, Caramilk, Nutella and Biscoff, and Nutella with Reese’s Peanut Butter. “Be Mine” ($28 per box) with “Cutie Pie” Chocolate-Chip and Nutella, White Chocolate Macadamia, plain Nutella, and “Be Mine” Red Velvet.
There’s also a 1kg heart-shaped Lovefetti cookie ($55 each). Next day delivery is available for Metro suburbs.
BIGGANDTHICC.COM.AU
FLUFFY CRUNCH
Your Valentine is one of a kind, just like the unique “gourmet” fairy floss from Fluffy Crunch. Hitting the scene in 2016, husband and wife team Michael and Paola Karamallis set out to deliver spun sugar that went beyond the typically muted colours and introduced a wide variety of flavours with sparkles on top and popping candy inside.
Fortunately, you needn’t hunt down their food truck, as they also sell it in their signature plastic tubs.
For Valentine’s Day, they’ve put together special packs featuring some of their award-winning flavours such as the Valentine’s Day Sweet 8 ($49.95 + shipping), which includes flavours like Crushed Cookies (chocolate flavoured fairy floss dusted with crushed Oreo cookies and powdered milk), Apple Pie (pure freeze-dried apple with a hint of cinnamon spice) and Salted Caramel (sweet and savoury caramel-flavoured fairy floss dusted with powdered honeycomb and a pinch of Himalayan pink salt).
This pack comes with a Valentine-themed message and the option to include a teddy bear. Priority delivery for Feb 14, available for Sydney Metro suburbs.
FLUFFYCRUNCH.COM.AU
NO.5 RESTAURANT
This Italian-inspired restaurant and bar focuses on seasonal locally-sourced ingredients. For Valentine’s Day, a six-course menu takes a modern approach to traditional flavours, such as lamb with orange mint salsa and roasted capsicum.
5 MCCAULEY ST, ALEXANDRIA; RESTAURANT5.COM.AU
BLACK STAR PASTRY
With layers of almond dacquoise, rose-scented cream, and watermelon, topped with strawberries, pistachios, and dried rose petals, Black Star Pastry’s Strawberry Watermelon Cake has been dubbed the world’s most Instagrammed cake, and considering that it was first created for a wedding, it is probably the most romantic one as well.
Head Chef Arnaud Vodounou says, “It’s always been the ultimate edible expression of love” so it’s fitting that for Valentine’s Day, he has created a delicate heart-shaped version that’s large enough to serve two. This limited-release cake must be pre-ordered to collect from any Sydney stores (Newtown, Rosebery, Moore Park, and Chadstone) for Tuesday, February 14. ($42 each).
- BLACKSTARPASTRY.COM
CADBURY ROSES
With a selection of 10 different flavours coated in milk, white, and dark chocolate, Cadbury Roses have long been a favourite Valentine’s Day gift, but this year, there’s even more to love with a limited-edition box designed by Indigenous artists Kenita Lee McCartney.
The vibrant imagery is inspired by the ones she loves and their shared with connection with the land and each other. The 450g box contains an assortment of Classic Milk, Hazelnut Crème Crisp, Vanilla Nougat, White Raspberry, Caramel Deluxe, Hazelnut Swirl, Turkish Delight, Classic Caramel, Peppermint Crème Crunch and Dark Mocha Nougat flavours. ($16)
- Cadbury.com.au
KITTYHAWK
Modern French shared four-course set menu that includes salmon rillette, lobster raviole [sic], duck breast ratatouille, and lychee and blackcurrant parfait. Glass of bubbles on arrival for all bookings.
Cost: $90pp with option to add matching wines for an additional $45pp.
16 Phillip Ln, Sydney; thekittyhawk.com.au
MISS SINA
Everyone deserves a bit of love on Valentine’s Day, and Sina Klug, owner of plant-based bakery Miss Sina is doing her part with a range of freshly baked pastries, donuts and scrolls.
“Baking is our love language. We want to make it easy for you to surprise your Valentine, no matter their dietary requirements,” she says.
“All our delights are plant-based and made with the extra bit of love, especially on a day that’s all about love - our team of pastry chefs wants to ensure everyone can feel included.”
In addition to the regular selection of goodies, Sina says there will be “romantic delights and surprises to buy on the day with flavours inspired by all things red of course, fresh berries, red wine poached fruit, red velvet and more aphrodisiac foods like chocolate and pistachios” at the Marrickville and Surry Hills locations.
There’s even a DIY High Tea Sets with a free tier for you to set it up at home.
“We’ve done the hard work and have refined our plant-based recipes for years, so every sweetheart with an egg or dairy allergy can have their cake and eat it too.”
Sydney metro delivery. Pre-order Sweet Love Donut Boxes, Giant Donuts, assorted Pastry Boxes and Giant Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day delivery.
132 ILLAWARRA RD, MARRICKVILLE; 44 HOLT ST, SURRY HILLS; MISSSINA.COM.AU
PICNIC
Whether it’s an impromptu lunch date or a four-course meal, picnics have moved past soggy sandwiches and crisps to a true alfresco dining experience, thanks in part to the packaged picnics being offered by reputable restaurants, cafes and delicatessens.
So for Valentine’s Day, break out the bubbly and a blanket as Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur in Milson Bistro has a tres French hamper filled with favourites that include housemade sliced saucisson, chicken liver parfait, cheeses, Loulou’s crackers and a creamy chocolate mousse. ($99, serves two. Pre-order Loulou picnic hampers by February 10 for pick-up on February 14).
For those after something a tick more posh, Picnics with Love offers luxe pop-up picnics with the works.
First, choose your ideal location and picnic style (Classic Hamptons, Boho or Morrocan). From there, they’ll set the “table” with glassware, an antipasto platter, San Pellegrino water, and a bucket of ice for your BYO. Then, all you need do is show up, bottle in hand, and enjoy each other’s company.
61 LAVENDER ST, MILSONS POINT; LOULOU. SYDNEY; INSTAGRAM.COM/PICNICS.WITH.LOVE
FRENCHIES
French may be the language of love, but as the saying goes, cooking is love made visible, and at Frenchies Bistro and Brewery, you get the best of both with their Valentine’s Day four-course degustations dinner.
The evening begins with a glass of bubbles or Frenchies’ own Aussie Aperitivo made with bittersweet citrus and botanicals.
Head chef and co-founder Thomas Cauquil’s menu includes tender leek tarte fine, hand-rolled scampi ravioli and wagyu beef, which will be slow-cooked over kombu seaweed and accompanied by turnip, peach rose and ginger jus, each dish made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients along with a touch of French flair.
To complete the evening, pastry chef Celine Vendeville has created a heart-shaped cherry and chocolate tart inspired by her love of the Black Forest Cake. ($95pp with optional wine or Frenchies beer pairings for an extra $50pp. Bookings available from 6pm).
THE CANNERY, 6/61-71 MENTMORE AVE, ROSEBERY; FRENCHIESBISTROANDBREWERY.COM.AU
MODE
Over the years, there’ll be moments you’ll never forget and this Valentine’s Day, Francesco Mannelli, Mode Kitchen and Bar’s executive chef, has created a decadent menu that will make delicious memories.
The exclusive four-course dinner includes delicate spanner crab vol au vents, scallop and truffle carpaccio, lobster pasta and pan-roasted duck. Finish the evening with French pastry chef Quentin Zerr’s stunning, heart-shaped, raspberry & vanilla Saint Honoré cake. ($180pp; optional wine pairings an additional $100pp.Tuesday, February 14, 5.30pm-10pm).
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SYDNEY, 176 CUMBERLAND ST, THE ROCKS; MODEKITCHENANDBAR.COM.AU
WHAT’S FRESH
KINGPIN
Let the good times roll with entertainment giant, Kingpin’s Valentine’s Day event, a special couple’s package that includes a Valentine cocktail, five share plates, and a choice of bowling, laser tag, VR bundle, karaoke, or table tennis for $100.
Available from 11am on Friday, February 10, 2023, to midnight on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
NORTH STRATHFIELD AND MACARTHUR SQUARE; KINGPINPLAY.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.
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