WHAT’S ON THIS SPRING
The Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Dinner
Veuve Clicquot is popping the bottle on its newest cuvée La Grande Dame Rosé 2015 with a series of chic, Champagne-paired dinners. The first event took place at iconic waterfront diner Catalina in Sydney, with the guests among the first in Australia to taste the new vintage Rosé 2015.
For Melbourne Champagne-lovers, you can head to Atria at The Ritz-Carlton for an exclusive sip of the new release, where it will be served as part of a special La Grande Dame Menu prepared by chef Michael Greenlaw. The menu is available now until the end of September.
And out west Gibney in Perth will host the final dinner across the month of September, with Shime Saba of Blue Mackerel taking the pass and pairing a seafood-forward menu with La Grande Dame 2015 Blanc. Bookings are essential.
Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes
8 June – 8 September
Australia’s favourite portrait prize has returned to the Art Gallery of NSW. Painter Laura Jones has been announced winner, becoming the 12th woman in history to win the coveted portrait prize for her oil on linen likeness of esteemed author and conservationist Tim Winton. This deliberately dreamy work uses watery brushstrokes for maximum impact and will be displayed alongside the finalists of the Archibald. The exhibition runs until 8 September in tandem with works from the acclaimed Wynne Prize (best figure sculpture or landscape painting) Prize and Sulman Prize (best subject, genre painting or mural project).
artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on
Porkfat’s second birthday menu
September
Beloved double-decker Haymarket favourite Porkfat is celebrating its second birthday in September, and everyone is invited to the party. How is the humble Thai diner celebrating? Owner-chef Narin “Jack” Kulasai is putting on a traditional Bang-Sue market style feast, with typical Porkfat flair, of course. Inspired by the neighbourhood where co-owner Tanya Boon was born and raised, the celebratory menu will be available exclusively on Fridays at lunchtime throughout September. Think fried chicken fragrant with fish sauce and sweet chilli, a chock-a-block beef noodle soup with crisp pork crackers and a very special coconut ice-cream for dessert. Put your party hat on!
Otto Pasta Club
4-30 September
Pasta fans, look alive. Beloved Italian fine diner Otto in Brisbane and Sydney will be slinging a very special pasta deal across September, welcoming in spring aperitivo-style. Each venue is providing a slightly different (but equally delicious) offering. All pastas are made fresh daily, and Otto, as always, is keeping things interesting with its rotating pasta menu, so you can make the most of this deal and keep things fresh every week. Think everything from classic tortellini en brudo to a spring-ready corzetti with cavolo nero and pistachio pesto. Over in Brisbane, for $45 per person, enjoy your choice of a rotating pasta menu plus a paired glass of wine and a sumptuous tiramisù cannoli for dessert. And in Sydney, for $50 per person, pick up a plate of pasta, a matching glass of wine, and a zesty prefect-for-spring lemon tiramisù. Bueno.
Afloat Capri
September – November
Over in Melbourne, Afloat’s ninth iteration is returning with spring, this time inspired by Italian beach clubs. The on-water venue has undergone a dramatic Capri-style makeover, so expect striped umbrellas with valances, a plethora of lemon trees in hand-painted ceramic planters and sorbet-coloured walls. And what’s an afternoon in Capri without an aperitif? Afloat’s renovation extends to its menu, with the new drinks list expected to be citrus-driven, easy drinking Italian cocktails. For foods, think classic Italiana: pizza, pasta and antipasto. Bravo!
Sculpture by the Sea
18 October – 4 November
Save the date, Sculpture by the Sea has officially announced its return to Sydney’s coastline this spring. The ultra-popular outdoor exhibition will show over 100 striking works along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. It kicks off just in time for daylight savings, ushering in sunny days in the lead-up to summer.
Savour the Tweed
30 October – 3 November
Along the meandering sunny Queensland coast lies a little cluster of towns, dipping just into the New South Wales border. Home to lush gullies dense with tropical rainforest and long stretches of yellow-sand beaches, the Tweed is well known for its abundance of natural drawcards. But thinking its appeal ends here would be folly – Tweed is also home to some seriously impressive homegrown hospitality heroes.
Take fresh and funky Husk Distillery, producers of the world’s first-ever colour changing ink gin; or award-winning restaurant Pipit just around the corner, whose intensely creative “use everything” hyper-local methodology puts big city-style sustainability practices to shame.
To spread the good word, celebrated chef-author Christine Manfield has partnered with industry expert and Tweed local Amy Colli to launch the region’s first-ever food and drink festival, Savour The Tweed. Over five days, the Tweed region’s best restaurants and bars will play host to over 20 distinctive events showcasing The Tweed’s diverse offerings. Think everything between an intimate six-course Producer’s Dinner at acclaimed Bistro Livi, a Champagne-led lunch at relaxed and refined Tweed River House, and a bound-to-be-rowdy closing night party at No 35 Kitchen and Bar.
Tickets for Savour the Tweed are on sale now.
Taste of the House
The last Sunday of every month until November.
Get to know the Opera House on a whole new level with this delicious and extensive tour of the iconic landmark’s culinary offerings. The experience starts at Opera Bar, where a bartender will guide guests to craft a Sydney Sling cocktail, before moving onto House Canteen, where guests will learn how to make hand-rolled sushi with an experienced chef. Enjoy lunch at the Opera House’s newest venue, Midden, where chef-owner Mark Olive will be serving up slow-braised wallaby shank with matching wine, of course, accompanied by some of Sydney’s best harbour views. Next, be ushered through the Stage Door and onto the Boardroom balcony, where a boozy palate cleanser of Sgroppino will be waiting for you.
Effervescence Tasmania
8 – 10 November
Food, fire and fizz is on the cards as sparkling wine festival, Effervescence, returns to Tasmania. Hosted by pioneering sparkling winery, Josef Chromy Wines, the festival will bring together 13 of the region’s most esteemed sparkling wine houses for three days of fun and fizz. The hosts are pulling out all the stops this year, with a black tie gala dinner hosted at their hatted Josef Chromy Restaurant, but other events will include sparkling wine masterclasses featuring both local and international producers, a tasting picnic hosted lakeside at Jose Chromy Wines, and a very funky bubbles and beats after party. Cheers!
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