Parramatta: American Express Delicious Month Out food festival
You’re invited to the most indulgent food party when the American Express delicious Month Out (AEDMO) entices diners with special offers and sublime dishes throughout March.
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Parramatta, you’re invited to the most indulgent food party when the American Express delicious. Month Out (AEDMO) entices diners with special offers and sublime dishes throughout March.
Popular cafe Circa Espresso is taking part in the event, which runs in Sydney CBD, Surry Hills and Potts Point, and hopes foodies unfamiliar with the suburb’s dining scene will have a chance to taste all Parramatta offers.
That includes the Wentworth St noshery’s signature ottoman eggs. For the unacquainted, owner Aykut Sayan uses his Turkish heritage and serves free range poached eggs with garlic labneh, crumbed eggplant, burnt chilli and fried leek mopped up with buttered, housemade focaccia.
For March only, the team, known for its chai drinks, will whip up a chaigato – a blend of oat milk, dark chocolate sorbet topped with mint and chocolate peppermint.
Circa Espresso’s Anthony Nohra says the sweet drink pairs well with the hearty Ottoman eggs.
“We were all a little sceptical about the drink but once we tried it, it was amazing with all the flavours together,’’ he said.
Nohra says the “hearty, super delicious” Ottoman eggs will please most palates.
“Even though it’s vegetarian, it’s very hearty in the sense that if you’re a big meat eater you will feel super, super satisfied with that dish.”
Since the cafe opened a decade ago, Nohra has noted the change in Parramatta’s food landscape.
“This street, and Parramatta in general, was a place where specialty coffee and artisan food was not common,’’ he said.
“It was very uncommon in the west. Circa was the first cafe in the west to introduce specialised coffee and this style of food and what we have done has allowed other cafes to kick off all around the western suburbs. That is one of the biggest accomplishments for us.’’
As a “massive foodie’’ Nohra concedes Parramatta’s potential as a food destination is untapped.
“For me, every time people hear the word Parramatta … they really don’t think Parramatta is a foodie place,’’ he said.
“They don’t know and it’s all about educating our customers that you can achieve greatness beyond the CBD.”
Now he hopes AEDMO will allow “people to come and experience something truly unique”.
Circa has eight baristas who make a “Smith St” blend, a “super chocolatey, buttery and light, flavoursome” creation used for lattes, mochas and espressos.
“When people think of Parramatta and coffee, they think of Circa,’’ Nohra says.
“There are good spots but nobody has hit our level.”
Some of the 14 other Parramatta restaurants signed up to the AEDMO and more are encouraged to get on board.
As well as indulging in a melting pot of cuisines, it is a chance to support local businesses, particularly restaurants in Church St where light rail works have started.
Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger said the delicious Month Out was a reminder Church St would remain open for business during the construction.
“The diversity of Parramatta’s food offering is one of its key strengths, there is always something new to try and that makes it a destination that you can return to again and again without it getting stale,’’ he said.
In the push-button era, he said it was also a chance to socialise.
“In the new age of home food delivery we are at risk of losing the meaningful dining experience with family and friends that was once the hallmark of our social networking,’’ he said.
“Delicious Month Out is the opportunity to reconnect with a real culinary experience that isn’t another night on the couch with a delivery person on a bike knocking on your door.”
LOCAL DEALS
● ALEX & CO., 330 Church St, Parramatta
Thursday, March 26, 4-7pm
Start your evening in the American Express Pop Up Lounge
at ALEX & Co. with a complimentary pre-dinner drink and
appetiser. Enjoy the sweet sounds of a DJ-saxophone
performance before exploring the tastes of Parramatta.
● COLORS OF INDIA, 95 Victoria Rd, Parramatta
Sunday March 1 – Tuesday March 31
Satisfy your craving for a flavour-packed, fragrant Indian meal
and receive 20 per cent off your food bill.
● LAO DER RESTAURANT, 277B Church St, Parramatta
All of March
Enjoy specialist Lao and Thai cuisine and, with any dinner
booking, receive 10 per cent off your total bill when you
mention American Express delicious. Month Out.
● SICILIAN PARRAMATTA, 292 Church St, Parramatta
All of March
Two courses for $29 per person via The Fork. Offer only
available at select days and times. Cannot be used in
conjunction with any other offer.
● RESTAURANT 317, 317 Church St, Parramatta
March
Set menu bookings via The Fork.
Offer only available at select days and times. Cannot be used
in conjunction with any other offer.
● There will also be a special event in Parramatta on Thursday, March 26.
The American Express Lounge will be held in-venue at ALEX & Co. 330 Church St Parramatta. The lounge offers card members and prospects the opportunity to relax and enjoy live music, a complimentary glass of Muum or can of San Pell and gourmet canape before heading out on their foodie adventure in the surrounding streets and lanes.
GET THE PARTY STARTED
AEDMO will officially launch with the ultimate house party when the delicious team and friends will take over of Barangaroo House on Friday, February 28, when each level offers an original dining experience. This comprises the House Bar “party starter from 6pm to late on the ground floor (free entry; food and drink on purchase) and a VIP dinner at Bea on level one from 8.30-10.30pm ($130 plus a booking fee). Book at bea.floktu.com and pay with your American Express card to receive a special gift on the night. On level two, Smoke features a Veuve Clicquot pop-up bar from 5-6pm and a Bubbles and Beats event.
Two lucky readers will have the chance to win tickets to join the delicious team at the VIP launch event.
The competition is open and includes:
● One night’s accommodation at QT Sydney, for two
● Two tickets to the VIP dinner at Barangaroo House flagship restaurant, Bea, to launch the inaugural American Express delicious. Month out
● A glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow on arrival
Specialty four-course menu using the best seasonal produce, with matching wines from Petaluma
● An exclusive Q&A with Barangaroo House’s Matt Moran and executive chef Tom Haynes.
● Drinks upstairs at the Veuve Clicquot pop-up bar at Smoke
● The chance to meet some of Sydney’s top chefs and personalities
To enter, visit delicious.com.au/win and don’t forget to follow @deliciousaus #amexdeliciousmonthout for all the latest news and offers
Barangaroo House chef Matt Moran is hosting the event.
“I’m really excited to be part of this great new campaign that spotlights local precincts to get people out and about and enjoying some of our city’s amazing dining experiences,’’ he said.