This Sydney institution began twenty years ago. Then it showcased Italian food and coffee, but it’s grown to become much more than that. These days the emphasis is on two of life’s greatest pleasures: food and wine. If you love to indulge as much as I do, the classes, tasting sessions, and gourmet stalls will be right up your alley.

Food writer Joanna Savill and acclaimed chef Danny Russo will lead crowds in cooking classes designed to help you make food just like nonna at home!

Pasta brand Barilla will attempt to set a world record with the Longest Pasta Table, and Sydney’s senior Italian community will share their tips for growing fresh produce at home.

You can also taste Italian cheeses, wines, coffees, meats, olive oils, and breads, so make sure you bring your appetite!

Once you’ve gorged yourself make sure you check out the family entertainment area. It’ll feature a youth talent competition, games of bocce and cards, and a stunning Italian car display.

The festival brings Italy to Sydney, but it could also take you to Italy. There are two return flights to Rome to be won, but you’ve got to be there to win!

Date: Sunday 26 October 2008
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Address: Norton Street, Leichardt (between Marion and Alan Streets)
Public transport: Catch a L38-L40, 436-438, 440 bus from the city
Parking: Due to road closures, driving to the event is not recommended. Organisers recommended riding a bike or taking the bus
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.coasit.org.au/NortonStreetItalianFesta2008.aspx

Image used with permission from Wasamedia

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

As a self confessed foodie, there’s one place I don’t hesitate to recommend at the moment. That’s Orange. This destination in country New South Wales has been doing some amazing things, producing some of the tastiest reds and most delicious fresh produce I’ve ever had.

Of course, we can’t all get to the country to experience them. So happily the country is coming to us this weekend! Taste Orange brings more than 30 food and wine stalls from the region to Bondi on Sunday.

There’ll also be cooking demonstrations and music to keep the crowds entertained, and children’s activities to keep the little ones busy.

Date: Sunday 28 September
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Location: Bondi Pavilion
Address: Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach
Public transport: Catch the #333, #380, #381 or #L82 bus from Circular Quay to Bondi Beach
Parking: Paid parking is available in the beach car park, and there are parking meters around the pavilion
Cost: Free entry. Wine glasses are $5. Tasting tickets for wine and food plates are available in multiples of $3
Website: http://www.tasteorange.com.au/

Image source: Derek Purdy @ Flickr

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Sean’s Kitchen is Star City’s newest dining destination, and it’s got all the right ingredients to be something special.

If you’re Star City regulars, you may have already tasted chef Sean Connolly’s cuisine. He was the head chef at Astral before given the opportunity to run this brand new venture. Now he’s doing things his way, with an emphasis on fresh produce and fabulous service.

There are no secrets at Sean’s Kitchen. The chefs put on a show in the open kitchen, entertaining guests before their meals arrive.

The menu includes a little of everything, which is sure to please gourmet tastes and fussy eaters. The seafood platter is particularly exciting, because it does away with so many of those tired old clichés. Forget the tropical fruits and deep fried fish and squid: all you’ll see her is fresh seafood the way it’s meant to be prepared, healthy and delicious.

If fish isn’t your flavour, how about some jamon? This Spanish dish has been served in Europe for centuries but isn’t so popular here. It’s a shame, but it makes the meal at Sean’s Kitchen a real treat. The restaurant uses hams from free-range Iberian pigs which have grazed on herbs and acorns. It’s then cured for up to four years to make it unforgettably succulent.

For dessert I’m pretty intrigued by the cheese cabinet. More than 30 cheeses are on show to make your mouth water.

It is a bit pricy, but it sounds perfect for a special occasion!

Trading hours: Daily noon-3 pm for lunch and 6-10:30 pm for dinner
Location: Star City
Address: 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
Public transport: Take the light rail from Central Station or the monorail from Darling Harbour to Star City, or the #443 from Circular Quay
Parking: Paid parking is available on site. Enter via Pirrama Road or Edward Street
Cost: Entrees from $18, mains from $24
Website: http://www.seanskitchen.com.au/

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

King Street is dotted with exciting eateries boasting a range of cuisines, but we were swayed by the inviting atmosphere and tempting specials board of Gigi.

Gigi offers much more than the Italian staples of pizzas and spag bol. In fact, it was difficult to choose exactly what I wanted. I decided to opt for the gnocchi special if I could have it without the asparagus, otherwise it’d be prawns with penne and pesto for me.

I really didn’t need the fallback option, because the friendly (not to mentioned gorgeous!) staff were only too happy to prepare my meal just the way I wanted it. And what a meal it was. Gigi delivered a gnocchi that was light, tasty, and just the perfect texture. The combination of burnt butter, sage, and parmesan cheese delivered more flavour than you’d expect. I was in heaven.

My husband also raved about his calzone, which was filled with a flavour assault of mushrooms, ham, ricotta cheese, and spinach. I’m not generally a fan of calzones, but even I had to admit it was good.

My husband’s been dieting, but he still couldn’t resist the lure of the baked ricotta cheesecake. I’m not sure whether desserts taste better if you’ve been deprived, but I can tell you hubby relished every bite of this sinful concoction.

We left completely satisfied, and determined to return to try some of those other dishes which tempted us.

Trading hours: Dinner daily from 6 pm to 10 pm
Location: Gigi
Address: 379 King Street, Newtown
Public transport: The restaurant is a short walk from Newtown train station
Parking: Limited street parking is available
Cost: All entrees and mains under $30

Image source: Toolmantim @ Flickr

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Culture vultures and foodies can happily come together at the Gallery Café. This rustic eatery in Annandale delivers both in abundance, making it a favourite amongst locals.

Almost every square inch of wall space over the two levels is adorned with works from some of Sydney hottest young artists. And the best part is, if you see something you like you can take it home. Everything displayed here is for sale.

It’s quickly earning a reputation for serving up some of the best breakfasts in the inner west thanks to the interesting menu which goes beyond your average bacon and eggs. Those eggs are given a modern twist, scrambled with spinach, feta cheese, onions, and shallots. Then there are the corn fritters served up with a delightful variety of relishes and salsas.

Breakfast is available all day, but there’s also a lunch menu to peruse if you get there in the afternoon. The salads, sandwiches, and burgers aren’t revolutionary but the fresh ingredients and tasty combinations set them apart.

Make sure you save room for the muffins: the artworks on the walls aren’t the only masterpieces at the Gallery Café!

Trading hours: 7 am to 5:30 pm Mondays to Saturdays and 8 am to 5 pm Sundays and public holidays
Location: Gallery Café
Address: 43 Booth St, Annandale
Public transport: Catch the #470 bus from the city and get out on Booth St
Parking: Limited street parking is available
Cost: Breakfasts from $8.50
Website: http://www.gallerycafe.com.au

Image source: Geri-Jean Blanchard @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

This massive festival is one of the largest gatherings of Indians outside India! But you don’t have to be Indian to join in the fun. Every year more than 25, 000 Sydneysiders attend to learn more about Indian culture and have a lot of fun!

Popular stars Tania Zaetta and Kamahl will perform alongside 70 other entertainers from India and Australia. There’ll be more to see on center stage with a sari fashion parade and Bollywood Spectacular showcasing traditional dance.

As you’d imagine, at an Indian festival you’re never going to go hungry. Some of Sydney’s top Indian restaurants will be on hand to serve up traditional fare to the masses. There’ll also be Indian cooking displays so you can learn how to recreate the yummy dishes at home.

It’s a great day out for the kids too, who’ll love the camel rides and fireworks display.

The India Australian Friendship Fair is held in recognition of Indian Independence Day. It looks to built social solidarity between India and Australia. To help achieve this aim, profits from the fair will help pensioners, new migrants, and women in need.

Date: Sunday 10 August
Time: 10 am to sunset
Location: Athletic Centre
Address: Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush
Public transport: The Athletic Centre is a short walk from Olympic Park train station
Parking: On site parking is available for $8
Cost: $5 per person

Image source: Barun Patro @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

You don’t have to head to Europe to experience authentic Italian cuisine. Just visit the Gazebo Wine Garden!

Every Tuesday night the restaurant will bring guests flavors from all corners of the world. It all starts with their Drink in Sicily events throughout July and August.

Wine experts will be on hand to match the traditional fare with the best European wines. Dishes start from $18 while wines are $9 by the glass or $42 for the bottle.

That’s a small price to pay for such a delicious night out!

Trading hours: The restaurant is open from 3 pm to midnight on Mondays to Thursdays and noon to midnight on Fridays to Sundays. The theme nights are on Tuesdays
Location: Gazebo Wine Garden
Address: 2 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay
Public transport: The restaurant is a short walk from Kings Cross train station
Parking: Parking is available in the surrounding streets
Cost: Meals start at $18 while wines start from $9 for a glass
Website: http://www.gazebowinegarden.com.au/

Image source: Ulrich de Wachter @ Stock.xchng 

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

More than 20 of Australia’s finest coffee roasters will be brewing up a storm, and you can sample some of their delicious drinks for just $1 each. You won’t find prices like that at your local Gloria Jeans!

You can also learn how to recreate these yummy treats at home with the latest equipment, demos, and discounts at the Domestic Coffee Machine Expo.

But if you’re after something a little bit naughtier I suggest heading to Chocolatiers’ Boulevarde. Even the name is indulgent, and so are the goodies you’ll find there! How do chocolate covered strawberries, cute cupcakes, and delectable fudge sound? And that’s just for starters!

The Teas of the World and Turkish Spice Bazaar showcases are also sure to draw a crowd.

This fun free festival sounds like the perfect way to beat those winter blues!

Date: Sunday 6 July
Times: 10 am to 5 pm
Location: The Rocks
Public transport: The festival is a short walk from Wynyard and Circular Quay train stations
Parking: Secure parking is available at 121 Harrington Street, 155 George Street, and at the Clock Tower Square
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.therocks.com

Image source: Malina @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

What do you do after a long day at the Good Food and Wine Show? Why, you go and eat!

Yes, my husband I probably didn’t need dinner on Saturday night, but the lure of Darling Harbour’s buzzing eateries proved to strong to resist. We opted for the Ice Cube Seafood Grill, deciding it was the best spot for something light. It turns out much of Sydney had the same idea, so we waited at the bar for a vacant table.

The bar really needs more seats for those busy nights. After a day on our feet, it was a little frustrating to stand around. But the warmth from the outdoor patio heaters and the funky illuminated ice cubes softened out mood until we were seated.

The menu has been completely redone since the last time I was there, and it was difficult to decide what to try. In the end I settled on salt and pepper king prawns. The mix of lime, chilli, and coriander was perfect, just bitey enough to be interesting but not enough to overwhelm the succulent prawns. They were massive and so juicy – a real treat. So were the crunchy chips hidden underneath the crustaceans.

My husband’s resolve to eat light went out the window once he saw the Wagyu rump. We’ve always meant to try Wagyu beef, but had never gotten there. After tasting his I’ve decided this pricier steak is worth every cent. The house blend of herbs and spices, vegemite butter, and jus didn’t hurt either.

Probably the last thing we needed after a solid day’s wine tasting was more alcohol, but a good meal just doesn’t seem like a good meal without it. The Mt Difficulty pinot noir probably wasn’t the best choice for my prawns, or for his steak for that matter, but it was just so good that it didn’t matter.

After a day of such indulgence I wasn’t sure I could feel more pampered. But this delicious dinner did just that.

Trading hours: Open every day from noon to midnight
Location: Ice Cube Seafood Grill
Address: Ground Floor, IMAX Theatre Complex, 31 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
Public transport: Take the train to Town Hall station and walk down Druitt Street, take a ferry to Aquarium Wharf, take the monorail to Darling Park or Convention station, or take the light rail to Convention station
Parking: Parking is available at Harbourside Car Park and Kings parking stations at 182 and 383 Sussex Street
Cost: Mains from $17.50
Website: http://www.icecubeseafood.com.au

Image source: Leonardo Menezes @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Image details: Gordon Ramsay Launches BBC Australian Good Food served by picapp.com

My legs are aching when I walk, and I’m utterly exhausted, but that’s what I get for spending the last two days in Sydney at the Good Food and Wine Show.

My husband and I are food and wine nuts. We arrive as the show starts, and don’t leave until it ends for the day. But if you hope to see everything, that’s the only way to do it. As it stands we had to skip a lot of wineries and we missed some of the food stands too. But what we did see was awesome.

Gordon Ramsey was the star attraction this year, and it was apparent every time he stepped onto the book signing stage. It didn’t matter where you were when Gordon walked out, you’d know about it if you listened out for the cheers. There’s no denying he has charisma, but I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed by his toned down show. Swearing was minimal and it was all very safe. Still, the peppered lamb steaks he made looked incredible.

The Tobie Puttock/Matt Skinner food and wine matching show was much more to my liking. It all started well when I was chosen by my favourite Ready Steady Cook chef, Alistair McLeod, chose me to help him with the warm up games. Flipping coins isn’t exactly rocket science but it made me feel like a star and I got a bottle of wine and a kiss from Alistair for my trouble. The talk was very Australian, super accessible, and the tucker they served up looked delicious.

Our other booked engagement was the Gourmet Garden cooking school. I think my experience with this was very much shaped by the cow of an instructor my group received. I say instructor, but she really just gave us the recipe and left us to it. That is until she came back to tell us everything we’d done wrong. In actual fact, we learned more from the instructor at the next group over! Still somehow we muddled through and made some delicious chicken nori rolls. Our partners came up with the goods with some delicious citrus salmon and herbed potatoes. I’d probably do the cooking class again, but hope to hell that woman wasn’t in charge!

My husband and I came away with two trolleys full of stuff, and a few more bags besides. Our cupboards seriously look like we’re preparing for a natural disaster. But we will be eating very very well for months to come. We fell in love with cheese kransky from Hans, kangaroo prosciutto from Poacher’s Pantry in Canberra, and delicious shortbread from Tasmania. We’ve also scored some amazing nut-free peanut butter (as someone who suffers from a peanut allergy, I’m thrilled at the thought of trying satays!) and some yummy freshly squeezed lime cordial.

I can’t believe it’s all over for another year, but I can’t wait to do it all again in 2009!

Post from: The Sydney Traveler