Sydney Eat Street: Sweet and savoury treats to celebrate spring
We still might be under lockdown restrictions but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to celebrate the start of a new season — like with some Pokémon GO doughnuts.
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With more people set to be allowed to gather outside, it’s time to get the crew back together to celebrate — be it with an elegant picnic, sugar-laden treats or a toast to better days ahead.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram or Twitter. #SydneyEatStreet
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme’s are go … Pokémon GO! Whether you’re vested in the 900 Pokémon species in the Pokémon universe or completely clueless as to the game’s allure, there’s no denying the pocket-sized creatures’ stamp on pop culture — from video games to trading cards, cartoons to the augmented-reality GPS app, Pokémon GO, that had millions of people around the world searching city streets to “tame and train” the little critters, Pokémon is now the highest-grossing media franchise in the world.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, they’ve created the limited edition Pokémon doughnut range, starting, of course, with one of the original — and most recognisable characters — Pikachu.
The doughnut itself is a chocolate crème shell, dipped in a white truffle glaze that’s been coloured to match Pikachu’s signature yellow fur.
There are five different ones in the range (a Poke Ball, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu), and they’ll be released one by one in two-week intervals — the next one being September 21.
The Pokémon doughnuts ($3.75 each) are available at select Krispy Kreme Australia stores, online, and via delivery with Deliveroo, UberEats, and Menulog.
If you can’t wait to try them all, the complete doughnut collection will be available exclusively online as a dozen-pack (RRP $29.95) and includes Poké Ball, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle doughnuts, two Pikachu doughnuts and six of Krispy Kreme’s famous Original Glazed doughnuts.
IKU
Russell Johnson’s goal is to help make the world better one bite at a time — starting this week with IKU Wholefood’s new plant-based meal delivery service.
“Over a year after the pandemic first hit, there is a higher level of awareness about what’s happening on the planet and how our diets connect to that,” Russell, IKU’s managing director, says.
“We have not only seen a sharp rise in interest towards plant-based foods, but also some of the world’s best restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park going vegan.
People want to work towards a more sustainable future and eat more plant-forward diets, but they aren’t sure how and worry that the taste will be bland.”
IKU opened more than 35 years ago in Glebe but, like many other businesses during the pandemic, Russell says it shifted focus to a home meal delivery service with more than 50 plant-rich dishes.
“We have been providing our community access to delicious plant-based food that is good for their wellbeing and the planet, and by launching an at-home meal delivery service, we can provide convenience and further access to plant-based nutrition,” Russell says.
The online shop currently offers 50 dishes, including IKU classics such as spinach and eggplant lasagne; coconut laksa, caramelised onion tart; and arame macro burger, which can be ordered ala carte or as a series of meals curated to your needs.
Importantly, IKU continues to be a champion of local producers.
IKU’s head of food Tom Walton says: “Over the past 35 years, IKU has developed relationships with various farmers and suppliers across NSW. I am looking forward to incorporating their seasonal and organic produce and introducing native ingredients sourced from small Indigenous-led farms across Australia where we will be using things like Kakadu plum at the end of the year.”
Sisters’ Table
The Covid-19 pandemic has inspired sisters Tanja and Aleksandra Stancevic to go sweetly postal.
“My sister Aleksandra and I owned a cafe called Barista Sisters in the Sydney CBD,” Tanja says.
“We managed to survive the first lockdown by starting home deliveries and targeting the construction workers when office workers left the city and started working from home.
“Towards the end of 2020, things were picking up, and we were on our way back to before dining in was allowed and more people were coming back to work. Post lockdown 2020, with the uncertainty of the future, we decided not to renew our lease.
“We walked away and decided to focus on catering instead, specifically corporate catering, because this is a customer segment we’d dealt with before and had strong relationships. This is where Sisters’ Table was created.”
Tanja says the business was just starting to fire when the second lockdown this year struck.
“Before we knew it, one by one, our future orders started to get cancelled. People were just not having meetings, so didn’t need catering.”
It was a friend’s birthday that inspired their next idea – Postal Brownies.
“One of our friends was having his 30th birthday, and he lives in the Hunter Valley region,” she says.
“We really wanted to send him some form of a sweet box but couldn’t find anyone that would deliver to there. Everything was Sydney wide.
“It was then the idea of Postal Brownies came to mind. Something cake-like that you can ship, and it arrives in the same condition – and the name Postal Brownies, it just kind of made sense to us.
“They’re brownies which travel via post, and we wanted that to be obvious as soon as you heard the name.”
Each box contains a mix of large brownies – Maltesers, Toblerone, Kinder Bueno, Orange, Salted Caramel and Oreo ($50) and can be shipped Australia-wide via express post.
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
Overlooking Bondi Beach, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is one of Sydney’s most iconic ocean-view restaurants and the perfect vantage for a long spring lunch, but like so many others, Covid-19’s lockdown has put the kibosh on those plans.
While you’ll have to wait a bit longer to escape your metaphorical cocoon and spread your wings, you can, however, enjoy a spring spread with Icebergs’ Italian Providoor Box
“You can’t experience the dining room, the people, the crew, the service, the view or the atmosphere, but what we have done is create some of our favourites so you can have a little bit of the Icebergs DNA at home with Providoor,” restaurateur Maurice Terzini says.
“For the next few weeks, we’re encouraging people to get inspired with our (interior stylist) Steve Cordony collaboration and set the table to enjoy a long lunch or dinner with Icebergs.”
The box serves two people and includes premium charcuterie selection with San Daniele Prosciutto, Wagyu Bresaola, Wild Boar Salami, Pino’s Signature Mortadella, and pickles; Ziti Cacio e Pepe with Truffle; Icebergs Butterflied Murray cod, Insalata Terzini, Alto Olive Oil Potato Puree, Messina Chocolate Tart, Hazelnut, and Icebergs’ signature cocktail No.8, a refreshing blend of Ketel One Vodka, Campari and Ruby Grapefruit. ($250, serves two).
Such a special selection definitely calls for a special setting, so to get some inspiration on some “table-scaping” this meal, check out @stevecordony on Instagram.
“The idea here for Icebergs and Steve rides on the notion of a long lunch,” Maurice says.
“When you eat at Icebergs, the table is set with a white tablecloth and beautiful plates and cutlery. Given everyone is stuck at home, Icebergs and Steve are trying to instil this concept into the home.”
Order via providoor.com.au
— idrb.com
Sydney Restaurant Group
From the culinary minds at Sydney Restaurant Group, owners of some of Sydney’s best water-view restaurants such as The Nielsen in Vaucluse, The Fenwick in Balmain, and Aqua in Milson’s Point, comes SRG Home Dining.
While you may not have the harbour view vantage, the group’s executive chef, Davide Rebeccato, has been curating weekly set menu ($99/$159, serves two) and a la carte options in line with the venues’ regular offerings such dishes as citrus-cured ocean trout, homemade spaghetti with Western Australian rock lobster, lobster bisque, Wagyu with truffle mash, and to finish, a rich dark chocolate tiramisu.
There’s also an excellent selection of wines, beers and bottled cocktails. All dishes are already cooked and need reheating by following simple instructions.
Orders need to be received 24 hours in advance, and you can either pick up your order from one of four restaurants (Ventuno Walsh Bay, The Fenwick Balmain East, Cafe Bondi, Ripples Chowder Bay restaurants, Wednesday-Saturday, 4pm-6pm, or with a minimum $125 spend, and $10 fee you can have it delivered between 12pm-6pm.
— sydneyrestaurantgroup.com.au
Maybe Sammy + Taylor Made Wines
Mix equal parts experimentation and innovation with a dash of spare time, and you just might come up with some clever, possibly questionable, home-bar creations. Now, imagine what you could do with a bit of guidance and insights from a virtual cocktail masterclass.
Not just any class, but one featuring master mixologist Will Oxenham of Maybe Sammy, Australia’s #1 cocktail bar, preparing two original cocktail recipes using two of Taylor Made Wine’s expertly crafted wines as a key ingredient.
The event will happen live Tuesday, September 28 at 6pm on Taylor Made Wines’ Facebook page, and you can purchase one of the curated kits that include cocktail making tools, batch ingredients and two bottles of wine. But get in quick, as only 200 kits are available ($115 + booking fee).
C.A.N.
While you can’t hang out with friends and admire the view from your favourite harbourfront bar, you can at least have a refreshing drink at home and know that you’re helping to keep that view intact.
With every purchase of C.A.N. (Create Action Now), a low-sugar, low-calorie, vodka soda mix, they’ll donate 10% of profits 10% to land, water, and air conservation efforts. They’ve already donated $5,000 upfront to ‘Sea to Source’ a project, aimed to stop plastics and litter from entering the ocean, keeping our waterways clean and healthy. So, cheers to when you and your crew can once again get back to that window seat by the (clean) water.
D.O.C. Gastronomia
In the spirit of collaboration and camaraderie, D.O.C Gastronomia and their wine partner TAP (@tapwines) have created “Spritz Yourself at Home”, a 330ml can of D.O.C.’s classic Italiano Spritz Aperitivo – Prosecco, citrus blend Amari and a dash of Italian soda water. All you need to do is add ice and an orange slice. It’s the perfect solution for a tipple sparkling but without opening a whole bottle of bubbles. ($14 each, available for pick-up Wednesday-Saturday from 5pm.)
– 78 Campbell St, Surry Hills, docgroup.net
WHAT’S FRESH
Being locked out from friends and family is challenging at any time, but even more so for those that’d usually celebrate the Harvest Moon at The Mid-Autumn Festival.
A time-honoured family-centric Chinese tradition, food is always a highlight of the festivities, particularly the sharing of sweet and savoury mooncakes.
There is an abundance of cultural significance behind these treats, making it all the more important to keep the tradition going, and The Fullerton Hotel Sydney is offering their inaugural Mid-Autumn Mooncake Collection. Presented in an elegant red or turquoise box, each contains four mooncakes: two flavours from the award-winning Jade restaurant at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and two flavours from The Clifford Pier at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore.
The boxes ($78 each) are available for delivery or pre-order pick-up from the hotel’s concierge desk Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm, through to September 21, 2021.
For orders, delivery/post option and other inquiries, phone 8223 1111 or email fsy.info@fullertonhotels.com
— 1 Martin Pl, Sydney; fullertonhotels.com
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.