Chiosco by Ormeggio @ The Spit

Being whisked over to Mosman for a team Christmas lunch is always welcomed and most definitely appreciated. It is a glorious sunny December day (amid some bad weather days) to dine alfresco on the jetty overlooking the marina and Middle Harbour at Chiosco by Ormeggio, the more casual dining restaurant sister to Ormeggio (just on the other side of the jetty). The concept is Italian Trattoria and it's modern, fresh and judging by other diners good portion sizes!

 

 

Enjoying a glass of bubbles and admiring the view we peruse our menu for today and we are all excited about what is about to be served.

 

 

There are 15 people dining with us today so we have the Chefs Sharing Feast.
 

We start with some Pane. Fresh from the Ormeggio bakery the organic sourdough has a wonderful thick crust and fluffy dough. The bread is served simply with extra virgin olive oil.

 

 

The Burrata is served broken into creamy mozza chunks scattered on the plate with crispy kale, capers and crispy organic sourdough crumbs.  Each dish serves 3-4 people on the table.

Boxes (and I do mean boxes) of Fritto misto arrive next. School prawns and baby calamari coated in a semolina batter and deep fried to a crunchy mass of deliciousness. Served with a tangy lemon mayo. This was definitely my favourite of the day.

 

The Baccala fritters are moreish. The creamy potato centres were fluffy and the salted cod hinted of salt. topped with a creamy herb mayo this were good little bites.

A bowl of mussels arrive that are sauteed in a garlic, chilli and tomato sauce served with garlic bread. The mussels are plump and delicious.  The bread was soggy as it had soaked up a lot of the sauce.

 

Next up, Gnocchi with a pork cheeks, peas and a pea puree arrived.   The gnocchi were pillowy soft and the pork cheek was rich and had a depth of flavour that was surprising. Fresh peas are delicious!  this was topped with crispy strips of bacon.

 

A platter of the Gamerboni, Pollo alla Diavola and Corn arrived.

 

The plate consisted of grilled split king prawns with a lovely chilli and lemon dressing, free range chicken with chilli, rosemary and grilled lemon and cobs of corn dusted with paprika and pecorino.

The chicken was spicy and crispy and very tender and juicy.

 The grilled king prawns were fabulous and easy to eat as they were already split. The char on them gave them a great flavour.

I think the corn speaks for itself. Corn with spice and cheese is always a winner in my books.

 

We finished the meal off with a box of Bombolone and Cannolo. Some may have had coffee, I continued with bubbles.

The bombolone are donut balls filled with nutella and dusted in sugar. These are addictive! 

The Cannolo is filled with sweet ricotta. The shell is on the softer side but the sweet filling is light.

Chiosco has a great wine selection but it is also BYO (which we did as it was easier for us). As you can see I took a bottle with me on the boat.

We finished the afternoon off on the boat cruising around Middle Harbour and around through the heads before being dropped off at Darling Harbour. Bubbles on board and good banter amongst colleagues topped off a perfect afternoon!

The 40th Birthday celebrations continue @ Aria, Sydney

So I celebrated my 40th back in June but over the last 3 months I feel that the celebrations are continuing as I enjoy some of my very thoughtful and generous gifts from family and friends.

Saturday night was just one of those nights.

Joined by my wonderful friends T &L we began the evening in the lounge at Aria. Sipping on a cocktail.  Of course, as always drawn by it's magical power, I couldn't resist the Bacon Sour. 

Bacon Sour

 

A glorious concoction of Makers Mark infused with bacon, maple syrup and lemon juice. The maple candied bacon sitting atop the rim of my glass was one of Roo's famous 'I need a moment to myself' moments.  The sweet tackiness of the maple syrup coats the crispy salty bacon.....excuse me I think I just need another moment to myself!

You know I'm a sucker when it comes to bacon anything and add maple syrup...well I'm an easy pleased young lady!

If only my lighting was better....or had a better iphone (time to upgrade me thinks)

 

The passionfruit martini is pretty good too.

 

 

Passionfruit martini

 

We are seated in the middle of the restaurant, with hints of the harbour bridge twinkling with city lights.  The restaurant is dim, however we are basked in soft lighting from the little table lamp perched to one side of the table.

 

This is to be my first fine dining experience in Sydney.  I was lucky enough to meet Matt Moran a few weeks ago at a cooking class at the Sydney Seafood School so I was super excited to taste the menu.  We toss up between the tasting menu and the 4 course menu and decide to go with the latter as a few of the options on the menu were part of the tasting menu anyway.

 

We are served an amouse bouche to get the taste buds started.  Here we have prawn with pickled watermelon and feta.  It's the perfect little bite in a bowl.  My taste buds are in for a party! 

can I amuse you with a small bite?

 

Sourdough rolls are offered along with Pepe Saya butter.  Here we have a salted buttered and a seaweed and dashi butter.  If I didn't have to share it I would have slathered that all onto my sourdough.  It was divine!

pepe saya butter

 

Mr T chooses a Sangreal by Farr 2012 Pinot Noir - it's the perfect red to be sipping with our menu choices.

pinot noir

 

I immediately fall in love with the Aria wine glasses.

Aria glassware

 

The only problem with a 4 course menu is that you have to choose your dishes and there are just so many to choose from.  With the tasting menu, you just go with the flow. I'm torn so go with the last minute option and hope it's the right choice. I am already preparing for food envy!

 

I start with the Southern calamari with Iberico Jamon, garlic custard and shiitake mushroom tea.  It's picture perfect and smells wonderful.

 

 

 

 

southern calamari, Iberico Jamon, garlic custard and shiitake mushroom tea

 

The calamari is so tender and slippery and the saltiness of the jamon is a lovely combination.  I love the cracker on top, although haven't worked out what it was.

 

T & L both go with the Raw Hiramasa kingfish with beetroot, lime and horseradish. 

 

 

Raw Hiramasa kingfish with beetroot, lime and horseradish

 

Our second course arrives not long after and it's another delight.

 

My dish is the pressed Jurassic quail and foie gras with smoked eel and radish.

 



pressed Jurassic quail and foie gras with smoked eel and radish

 

The Jurassic quail is served in a terrine style slice.  The crispiness of the radish gives great textures to the meatiness of the quail and foie gras.  The hint of smoked eel is lovely.

 

The other dishes that left me with a little food envy were the Murray cod with sour blueberries, guanciale and rosemary.

Murray cod with sour blueberries, guanciale and rosemary

 

The kurabuta pork belly with apple, swede and hazelnuts looked mouthwatering.

 

 kurabuta pork belly with apple, swede and hazelnuts

 

By the third (main) course came around I was already feeling a little full.  the main course is served with mashed potato and a mixed salad as side dishes. 

 

 

 

 I opted for the lamb loin with sweetbread sausage, broad beans and charred globe artichokes.

 

lambloin with sweetbread sausage, broad beans and charred globe artichokes

 



Cooked to medium rare and was melt in the mouth.  The sweetbread sausage is a delicious way to introduce someone to sweetbreads. 

 

T&L decide on the Cervena venison fillet and crepinette with Japanese pumpkin, red witlof, black pepper and riberry sauce and the steamed bass grouper with spanner crab, Coorong pipis and smoked dulse.  Having no idea what dulse is I was intrigued.  Turns out it's a sea vegetable.

 

Cervena venison fillet and crepinette with Japanese pumpkin, red witlof, black pepper and riberry sauce

 

 

steamed bass grouper with spanner crab, Coorong pipis and smoked dulse

 

Between courses we had a palate cleanser of sorbet.  From memory it was honey and [something] granita with yoghurt and fried mandarin.

 

granita

 

 

Desserts had not yet been chosen, so we pondered for small break before ordering.  I go with something completely different to what I would normally sway towards and decided on the pineapple with Jerusalem artichoke, buttermilk sorbet, mint and lime.  It's a winner.  The pineapple is sweet and not so tangy, the buttermilk sorbet is light with a hint of creamy sourness, which is not unpleasant by a long shot.  The shavings of Jerusalem artichoke are draped lovingly over a quenelle of sorbet. 

 

 

 

sweet desserts

 

Other sweet endings (which aren't quiet at the end) is the passionfruit crumble souffle with macadamia nut gelato served in a very rustic copper saucepan for one and the blood orange with muntries, beetroot and coconut ice cream.

 

Both desserts look spectacular, particularly the souffle as the macadamia nut gelato is dolloped on top and melts and oozes into the souffle. Mmm.....dreamy.

 

We end the evening with an aperitif.  I choose a 2013 Massolino Moscata D'Asi - bright semi sparkling sweet wine style from a boutique produce in the seerralunga d'alba. Subte musk and sage aromatics with a pinch of peach and citrus twist.  Very sweet, light bubbles and definitely a pleaser on the palate.

However, no exquisite meal is complete without a platter of petit fours.  A wonderful selection of macarons, truffles, blackberry jelly, lemon marshmallow and a teeny tiny cupcake.

petit fours for three

 

 

I loved every minute of my experience here at Aria and they certainly live up to a two hatted restaurant.  The waiters are attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable and friendly.  The food is phenomenal and I know that I would like to dine here again for a special occasion.

 

Thanks to my wonderful friends who gifted me this wonderful experience and for T&L you joined me for an amazing birthday celebration that is literally keeps going and going!

Rhodes Mezzanine - Dubai - 2011

As a food blogger the sometimes end up being more meals that don't make the blog as quick as we would like.  As a late comer to the food blogging world my list is long!  Hopefully one day I will get everything down in writing.  If not, there will be always another post waiting.

 

Anyway, I found myself sorting through photos over the weekend and I came across one of my last meals in Dubai before I moved back to Australia.   As a farewell dinner one of my dear friends (Miss B) (and her partner at the time) took me to Rhodes Mezzanine at Grosvenor House in Dubai and is still in the top 5 of my all time favourite meals.

 

Unfortunately, this award winning restaurant by the famous British chef Gary Rhodes closed in 2013, however he has opened a few other restuarants in the UAE and some exciting new ventures coming soon. 

 

 

We are seated at the end of the restaurant but I'm glad we are not seated in the private dining room.  seated in a glass room I would feel like I was an exhibit at the zoo or the aquarium!  I do loved the comfy, deep, plush red chairs at our table though

 

Seating arrangements and private dining room

 

We start the evening with a glass of bubbles to celebrate (comiserations of) my farewell.  Let's just say I am excited by what the next year holds for me but I am sad to be leaving some wonderful friends.

Miss B and Me

A tasting menu was the only way to go and as there are 2 options for most courses between the three of us we sample all (but one) of the dishes.

 

The meal commences with a canape platter.  From front to back of the plate we start with a cheese and caramelised pineapple stick, foie gras on gingerbread and a macerated grape and a salmon croquet monsieur.

Now this is where my memory is going to fail me somewhat as this meal was over three years ago and I was trying to be classy and not take notes...hahah!

 

However I do remember that the foie gras on the gingerbread was absolutely mind blowing.  I love the taste of fois gras and there is always a battle between my taste buds and my braining thinking about the ethics of it.  I'm always torn.

 

The bread rolls with whipped butter are delicious but I don't eat to much of it in order to not fill the belly with bread.

 

The amuse bouche is the famous white tomato soup, something I have had the privileged of sampling at the Taste of Dubai before and was looking forward to devouring again.  This flavour explosion in my mouth is amazing and the creamy velvetiness of this soup is outstanding....the concept of punch tomato flavours that are 'white' is mind boggling.... I want to learn to make it!

 

 

For our appetiser we go with the Foie Gras by way of a foie gras and smoked eel terrine with a homemade piccalilli.  It's so perfectly pretty on the plate.

 

Second course is a crab and baby spinach lasagna with crushed parsnips and hazelnut veloute.  The crab is sweet and tender hidden between two layers of soft pasta discs.  The nuttiness of the veloute is aromatic and light.

 

I opted for the steamed and tempura scallop with sweet corn cream, crisp shallots, tarragon and oyster mushrooms.  A plump scallop is hidden beneath a tempura fritter.  This dish was good but I think I preferred Miss B's crab!

 

We are still going strong....

 

For our main course there is roast fillet of beef with swiss chard and  a mini copper pot of truffle macaroni cheese.  The beef is medium rare and melts in your mouth and the mac n' cheese is ooey and gooey and the truffle is pungent and aromatic.  Truffle makes anything better!

 

I opt for the slow raost prok belly with smoked bacon hash and poached egg with hollandaise.  This reminds me of  very fancied up breakfast!!!!  Anything porky is always a winner (particulary as I don't eat it regularly since living in the UAE).

 

 

At the end of the savoury courses we are offered a cheese platter, where we can select 5 cheese from the huge array on offer from the cheese cart that they bring to the table.  Memory does fail me as I didn't list what we ended up choosing. 

 

Then it's time for dessert.  We all opt for something different.  There is Sticky toffee pudding souffle with toffee sauce and toffee ice cream.

and Iced lemon meringue with raspberries.....

 

I opted for the British Pudding plate which had bread and butter pudding, jam roly-poly and sticky toffee pudding.  I know we all had a bit of everything and it was all delicious. 

 

By now I know I'm heading for imminent food coma but the meal is not finished until the petit fours are served...An array of scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, mini rum baba and home made pistachio chocolate with almond flavour.

 

 

I'm feeling very overwhelmed with wonderful friendship, sadness of leaving, amazing generosity and maybe the all the food and wine was not helping the emotions!

 

A trip to the bathroom perked me up.  A decadent, crystal laden, bathroom to tinkle in....definitely a fine dining moment...

 

 

and then you can sit and powder your nose in the gorgeous ladies powder room

 It's a shame Rhodes Mezzanine has closed.  It was a wonderful meal shared with a wonderful dear friend.  It was a lovely farewell gift and a great way to end my time in Dubai.  The meal was truly amazingly delicious...........and I have the white tomato soup recipe!