Our second Media Famil for the Potts Point Partnership last Thursday, as part of the Potts Point Shop Late event, went off without a hitch. This time we selected a different set of venues - so many to choose from - to delight our guests from the media.
To kick-off the afternoon off in style we settls into the very flash surroundings of Kings Cross Distillery on Llankelly Place. We indulge in an Im(peach)ment cocktail which features the house gin: KXD Classic Dry Gin, Massenez Crème De Peche Byrhh and salted honey.
Accompanied by a well-dressed mezze platter of 22-month aged Parma prosciutto, Casareccio salami, Mortadella, hot Spanish Cantimpaolo salami, pickles, smoked Mozzarella, caper berries, rosemary grissini and carasau bread, prepared by their young Italian chef Luca who is from the Emilia Romaga region.
A side dish of mixed olives, marinated in Kings Cross Distillery gin botanicals are a nice touch. Co-owner Khare Aoun and sommelier Ben Moechtar introduce us to the history of the venue and highlight the flavours of each gin.
After a quick look at the gin still out back - operated by Gin Queen and Co-owner Odelia Potts - we pop over Macleay Street to the fun & colourful Bloody Mary's Gazebo on Elizabeth Bay Road. Having recently moved to the hood from Darlo, BMG is settling in nicely with charming hosts, Cinta & Jeremy, at the helm.
For the interior inspiration think of a Palm Beach colour scheme with strong pastels and lots of natural light, complete with gold mirror ball - thank god they have changed the rules about mirror balls in Sydney - and fun, fluor feather boas as decoration.
On arrival we are each presented with an Oyster Shot - consisting of a Sydney rock oyster with vodka & Bloody Mary’s Mix - which is very effective in waking us up after the short but hot walk across Fitzroy Gardens.
Soon tasty fish tacos served in a soft shell taco with apple slaw, fried fish, chipotle mayo & jalapenos and a Sydney classic of salt & pepper squid with Aioli, appear on the table. After enjoying a very pleasant Rameau d’or Rose, everyone is nicely pumped after all this attention and happy to pose for a group shot in front of the colourful bar wall art.
Next we head for Bistro Rex on Macleay Street and we are warmly greeted by Co-owner Peter and shown to our glamourous table in the heart of the buzzing dining room. Gleaming with cutlery and china it’s easy to imagine your actually dining in a Paris brassiere not Potts Point, Sydney.
All the stops are pulled out as the chicken liver parfait and rabbit & pork rillettes with guindilla peppers hit the table. The twice cooked cheese souffle is the ohh-ahh dish with it’s topping of oozing cantal cheese, followed by the latest star of the menu prawn toast with fermented chilli aioli and a herb salad. Simply delicious!
All accompanied by flawless and unobtrusive service and our choice of wines. We stick to the rose - Domaine Colombe Cinsault - and are not disappointed.
Our last stop for the evening is new-kid-on-the-block is Sopra on the corner of Macleay Street & Challis Avenue. Co-owner Aparna gives us a quick overview of the pumping bar and we are seated outside La Bomba - Sopra’s big sister restaurant next-door on the fabulous grey Paris Chevron wicker chairs.
From here we have a fine view of this busy corner. Sydneysiders returning from a day of work in the city, joggers, food delivery people and locals dressed-up for a night out keen to try out the shiny new bar.
Soon two decadent cheese boards arrive at the table featuring a great selection of Australian fromage and one import: Shadows of Blue, Gippsland VIC; Bruny Island Washed Rind TAS; Manchego, Aged 16 Month / SPAIN and Ashed Holy Goat, VIC. Accompanied by a light & lovely dessert wine of Domaine des Bernardin Muscat Baumes de Venise.
Our evening is now at an end as our guests bid us farewell and disperse to check-out the many activities happening for the Potts Point Shop Late event on Macleay Street and surrounds.
We hosted a trio of ladies from Delicious magazine, Broadsheet Sydney Editor Che-Marie, Brand Content Editor Melanie Colwell from Concrete Playground, David Smiedt of GQ magazine and Escape and Rebecca Varidel, Editor of Sydney Scoop.
See you in December for the last Shop Late event!