Previously known as Crown Street Assembly, Bishop Sessa is one of Crown Street’s hottest gateways into gastronomic paradise.  Established by nose-to-tail chef Paul Cooper and restaurateur extraordinaire Erez Gordon, Bishop Sessa bistro and wine bar showcases some of the best local, sustainable produce around. From pork sourced from Swallow Rock Reach to lamb from Milly Hill, New England, Bishop Sessa has got it all. Chef Paul Cooper is so passionate about sustainability and nose-to-tail cuisine that he makes sure that all the sides of pig, beef, and lamb are aged and butchered on the premise. Try their famous Scallop Ceviche and the Quail and Ginger Steamed Buns–we promise you won’t be disappointed!

This March, Bishop Sessa has partnered with the NSW Wine Festival to bring to you an extraordinary menu that complements New South Wales’ best wines. Priced between $15 and $40, the main courses are carefully paired with their perfect wine match to create the ultimate epicurean experience.

Want food with a conscience? Head on down to Bishop Sessa for a unique, modern European dining experience you won’t soon forget.

Bishop Sessa | 527 Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 | 02 8065 7223 | http://bishopsessa.com.au

For more information about the NSW Wine Festival, visit http://nswwinefestival.com.au/index.php

Love food? Then March into Merivale, Sydney finest gourmet food festival on all through till the 28^th of March. Showcasing more than sixty speciality foods and wine events spread all over the city, March into Merivale takes you on a journey of culinary excellence from pop-up bars and restaurants to champagne tasting events.

With tickets starting from $30 onwards, March into Merivale has events to steal any food lover’s heart. Purchase your tickets at http://tickets.merivale.com.au/

European Laneway | Ash Street | Tuesday 12th Mar 5:30pm

Savour the Continent’s best food and wine at a twilight European street fair on ivy’s Ash Street. For $40pp, you receive 8 food/drink tokens.

Vogue and GQ Present: The Mandarin Edition |Mr. Wong, 3 Bridge Lane NSW 2000 |Monday 11th Mar 7:00pm

Celebrate the launch of Vogue’s Chinese Shopping Guide with a flawless Mandarin-inspired feast. For $130pp, you get a seven-dish menu with matching wines from cult drops, Croser and Petaluma.

Vintage Cocktails | Palmer & Co., Abercrombie Lane | Monday 4th Mar 6:30pm

Experience classic bartending at its most glamorous with a vintage-themed evening of timeless cocktails, delicious nibbles, and scintillating jazz. For $70 pp, you get 4 cocktails and canapés.

Lovely Bubbly | Level 4, Establishment, 252 George Street | Wednesday 6th Mar 6:30pm

Treat yourself to a night of bubbly and chic eats with tastings from over twenty French Champagne houses. $90pp includes Champagne tastings and nibbles.

The Sweet Spot | Lorraine’s Patisserie, Shop 5, Palings Lane, 320 George St | Every Thursday night from 14 Feb-21 March, 7pm and 8.30pm

Indulge in a decadent 3-course dessert degustation at Lorraine’s Patisserie. For $35pp, you can spoil yourself with a selection of sweets from Sydney’s best pastry chefs.

Green Eggs and Ham | Ms. G’s, 155 Victoria Street, Potts Point |Saturday 2nd Mar 12:00pm

Pay homage to the inimitable Dr. Suess on his birthday with a whimsical lunch inspired by his wonderful books. $60pp (adults) and $30pp (children) includes four courses and a Dr. Suess-inspired drink on arrival.

El Loco | Slip Inn, 111 Sussex St | Friday 1st Mar – Sunday 31st Mar

Viva Mexico! The Mexicans are back and better than ever in the CBD courtyard oasis of Slip Inn. Enjoy mystery tacos, a specio cocktails, tequila, and signature Margaritas. What are you waiting for? ¡Ándale! ¡Ándale!

http://merivale.com.au/whats-on/type/march-into-merivale/

Sydneysiders are invited to enjoy out-of-this-world dining experiences at the brand-new Lunar Feasts series. Running for the first time as part of the City of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival, Lunar Feasts offers diners set-price meals at award-winning foodie hot spots, including Din Tai Fung, Misschu, Ms G’s and Chefs Gallery. Chinese New Year is just around the corner, it’s time to honour this celebration with a feast of delicious oriental cuisine.. so charge your dumplings and toast to the Year of the Snake!

With choices from as low as $20, everyone can explore the best Asian cuisine in town and celebrate the Year of the Snake.

Sydney’s Chinese New Year Lunar Feasts highlights include:

Blue Eye Dragon – 37 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont.
Enjoy a 10-course Taiwanese banquet with a complimentary bottle of wine for $50pp.

Bodhi Restaurant – 2 College Street, Sydney.
Feast on a vegan yum cha tasting platter, made using locally grown produce, for $30pp.

Chat Thai – 20 Campbell Street, Haymarket.
Enjoy a long lunch of fresh spring rolls and delicious snapper curry for $20pp.

Chefs Gallery – Regent Place, 501 George Street, Sydney.
Discover unique dishes from all corners of China with a premium deluxe banquet for $30pp.

China Republic – Shop 10.41, World Square Shopping Centre, 644 George Street, Sydney.
Enjoy a decadent lunch featuring oysters, duck pancakes and a dessert platter for $50pp.

Din Tai Fung – Shop 11.04, World Square Shopping Centre, 644 George Street, Sydney.
Sample Din Tai Fung’s world-famous xiao long bao, wontons and other delights for $20pp.

Fat Noodle – Level 1, The Star, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont.
Choose from two special Chinese New Year set menus, including wine, for $20 or $30pp.

Misschu – 150 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst and Regent Place, 501 George Street, Sydney.
Chow down on rice paper rolls, beef pho and a frozen crushie for $20pp. 

Mizuya Japanese Restaurant and Karaoke – 614 George Street, Sydney.
Indulge yourself with a tasting plate featuring izakaya appetisers, grilled miso chicken and green tea cheesecake for $30pp.

Ms G’s – 155 Victoria Street, Potts Point.
Enjoy a decadent eight-course lunch banquet designed by Dan Hong, served with a cocktail slushie, for $50pp.

The Century – Harbourside, The Star, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont.
Celebrate with a banquet feast including lo hei, a ‘lucky’ New Year dish, for $50pp.

The Eight Modern Chinese Restaurant – Level 3, Market City, 9-13 Hay Street, Sydney.
Dine on an eight-course menu including seafood, beef, chicken and fresh fruit for $50pp.

Umi Sushi + Udon – Shop TR, Darling Quarter, 1-25 Harbour Street, Sydney.
Discover new flavours like lucky marbles and spinach udon with wagyu beef for $30pp.

Zo Zo Korean – Shop 10.26 World Square Shopping Centre, 644 George Street, Sydney.
Choose from three set menus including kimchi, bibimbap and hot pot for $20, $30 or $50pp.

Opening hours, booking requirements and terms and conditions vary between restaurants.

For more information, visit: sydneychinesenewyear.com/food

Love is in the air, and this year two of Sydney’s most iconic waterview venues have gone above and beyond to create a memorable Valentine’s Day evening that will have hearts and appetites aflutter. To celebrate this special evening on Thursday, 14th February 2013, The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks and Dunbar House will open their doors after dark, with each presenting an unforgettable Valentine’s Day dining experience.

The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks is all about old-world romance and promises to set the scene for an enchanting evening. Offering a majestic harbour setting that is usually open to the public during the day only, The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks annual Valentine’s Day dinner will once again see Sydney couples dining under crystal chandeliers in the main dining room, or al fresco on the harbour deck.

Lovebirds can raise a glass to the their union as the sun sets over one of the best views in Sydney, with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival.
The menu, specially created by Head Chef Marc Philpott, will feature entrees including; tuna sashimi and tempura oysters with pomegranate, lime, fried eschallots, pickled ginger and soy dressing, and vanilla cured duck breast with caramelised fennel, pickled cherries and pea shoots.

Main courses on offer will include pan fried John Dory with crab risotto, grilled zucchini, confit tomato and almond with a gazpacho vinaigrette or barramundi cooked in banan a leaf with Thai spices, jasmine rice, green mango and holy basil. The night will conclude with a range of desserts including the suitably delectable ‘peaches and cream’, with peach ice cream and consommé, red wine sponge cake and raspberries or mango pavlova with coconut sorbet and toasted almonds.

Dunbar House is located just metres from the shores of Watsons Bay and lauded as one of the top 10 dining views in Sydney by the 2013 Good Food Guide, Dunbar House will also host a spectacular Valentine’s Day dinner on the evening of February 14th.

Head Chef Keith Murray has designed a no-less-heavenly a la carte menu featuring, amongst others, entrees of grilled yamba prawn with cauliflower, toasted almonds and chives drizzled with curry oil or pasta of potato gnocchi, pork belly and crushed peas with a mint gastrique.
Mains will feature prawn crust salmon with saffron potatoes and lemon butter sauce or mustard and herb crust rack of lamb with hummus, tomato relish and summer vegetables. Dessert will feature mango parfait, pineapple granita and coconut chips or fig en papillote with yogurt ice cream.

Any two courses for $55, or any three for $70, plus a complimentary glass of Australian sparkling wine on arrival. Reservations are essential.

For your chance to win a Valentine’s dinner for 2 at The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks simply email sydney.comp@limeandtonic.com with your name, contact number and tell us what your ideal date night would be! (Keep an eye out on next weeks newsletter, the lucky Winner will be announced Tuesday 29th January 2013) Dinner will include 2 courses and glass of wine each on arrival. Please note that any additional drinks purchased will be at your own cost.

UPDATE>> Congratulations to Tim Corish, You have won a Valentine’s Day dinner for 2!

The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks | 02 8962 5900 | Suakin Drive, Mosman
Dunbar House | 02 9337 1226 | 9 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay

Begin 2013 with an evening of scandal, sassy burlesque, mugshots and fortune-telling gypsies!

Take a trip back to the dark-side of Sydney’s past on Friday 1st February. For one night only the Justice & Police Museum will be transformed into a haven for crooks, crims and frocked up ladies!

As part of ‘Wicked Women: An exhibition by Rosemary Valadon‘ the Historic Houses Trust will be hosting a night of colourful, glamorous and kitsch characters. Escape to yesteryear with a live burlesque performance by Imogen Kelly, music by Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters, the art of striptease with Foxtrot India and a mystical gypsy who’ll reveal your fortune in her crystal ball! Have your mugshot and fingerprints taken, participate in some life drawing or join in vintage games. 

The hottest North Mexican street food will be served by Al Carbón.

Dust off your fancy frocks, feathers, fedoras and wingtips – dress to kill and score a prize.

::WIN!:: For your chance to win a double pass to the Dress To Kill evening, simply tell answer this question.. “Where will the evening will take?” place via email sydney.comp@limeandtonic.com with your name and contact number. (Winner will be announced on Friday 18th January.)

The passing pavement parade and blue waves breaking on the white sands are in full view below. The perfect place for sunset cocktails, The Bondi Deck features an inviting and attractively priced drinks list (which includes cider buckets, premium beer buckets and jugs by the sea) and delicious nibbles including gourmet burgers and fresh prawns by the bucket.

Sydney’s Rocks precinct has just become even more desirable with the recent addition of the neighbourhood’s newest local – GRAIN – a bespoke bar by Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.

Stunningly positioned overlooking George and Alfred Streets at Circular Quay, Grain combines an overwhelming collection of fascinating artistic and design elements with a cozy year-round indoor/outdoor feel.

Helmed by Spanish Bar Manager David Ramos Hernandez, GRAIN is dedicated to the journey of ‘The Fine Craft of Drinking’ – from hand-crafted local tap beers by specialist Rocks brewers to a largely organic and biodynamic wine list and roving international cocktail list with a contemporary twist. Hernandez is an intuitive international Bar Manager with a canny knowledge of the Sydney market. He latterly set up and managed popular small bar Low 302 in Surry Hills. His credits also include The Argyle, Bayswater Brasserie and Sydney’s famed Longrain.

More than just a bar, Grain also serves up food that can rival even the best of them. Chef Hamish Ingham – also an import from Surry Hills who owns popular eatery Bar H – worked closely with Hernandez to match cocktail, wine and beer lists with fine bar food. The unique menu includes the likes of native Australian deep fried old man’s saltbush with aioli, oysters by Steve Feletti, yabbies with lemon and herbs, and Grain’s own dry aged beef short rib burger.

Grain is an ideal meeting place for locals to enjoy hand-crafted, lovingly prepared food and drinks day and night… so head on over to our new local!

GRAIN | 199 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | 02 9250 3118 | http://www.grainbar.com.au/

What better way to celebrate Christmas with your friends, family or colleagues, or to take a break from your Christmas shopping, than to lounge in the lavish surrounds of one of Sydney’s most magnificent and historic buildings while enjoying exceptional cuisine and flawless service.

Back by popular demand, the historic Tea Room QVB has put together two truly refined dining experiences. Located in what was once the original Grand Ballroom of Sydney’s landmark Queen Victoria Building “Decadent December” will run from 3rd – 24th December.

To make this December a time truly worth celebrating, Head Chef, Shane Davey has designed a Decadent December lunch and afternoon tea menu each with a festive twist.

Decadent December High Tea

Decadent December’s high tea menu will include a delicious selection of sweet and savoury delicacies with an indulgently festive twist. Served on authentic British three-tiered silver stands and Royal Albert china.

The Decadent December afternoon tea will be complemented by a range of traditional Ronnefeldt teas for $39 per person, or for some old world opulence can be paired with a Brandy Alexander or Rum Punch for $51 per person. To celebrate

the festive season with bubbles, combine with a glass of sparkling for $44 per person or a piccolo of French champagne for $57 per person.

Decadent December A La Carte Lunch

The Tea Room QVB Head Chef Shane Davey has designed an equally indulgent Decadent December set lunch menu. The exquisite lunch will feature a choice of entrees, mains and desserts that can be combined with a glass of wine, tea and coffee for $35 per person for main only, $45 per person for two courses or $55 for a full three course experience.

The rich heritage and luxurious decor of The Tea Room, paired with the exquisite menus will make for a very special Christmas experience to remember.

Vibe: Exudes luxury and elegance
Perfect For: Spoiling yourself with friends, colleagues or loved ones
Price: $$

The Tea Room QVB | Level 3 North End, Queen Victoria Building, 455 George Street, Sydney | 02 9283 7279 | www.thetearoom.com.au

Generally speaking, we have a fairly wide and varied spectrum of choice for dining in our beautiful city, but Peruvian cuisine has been a tad slow to join the party. Native Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia has spent many years introducing Sydney to the flavours and scents of Peru with his cooking classes and his ‘Taste of Peru’ dinners. Morena’s first year has been met with much success and rave reviews. This really isn’t a huge surprise when you take a look at Alejandro’s resume that includes the likes of Fat Duck (London), Les Ambassadeurs (Paris), Pier, Sails and El Bulli.

From the moment you set foot at Morena’s front door, you can sense the vibrant life that lies within. The entrance is home to an eye-catching installation of hydroponic lights, fruit, herbs and nuts such as Aji, huacatay, roucou and beautifully rustic timbers–a collaborative effort between Morena and Queensland’s Kendall Farms. Alejandro Saravia tries to maintain an ethos of using sustainable and locally sourced produce wherever possible. With his passion of using uniquely Andean ingredients (obviously not something that’s readily available in Australia!) he sought to create his own Andean garden–enter Kendall Farms. Over the last couple of years, Kendall Farms and Alejandro Saravia have been developing their very own, exclusive Andean Garden, growing a wide range of ingredients for use exclusively at Morena.

The restaurant is alive with a buzz and friendliness that is welcoming and exciting. Being co-owned by architect, Sumedh Kataria obviously has its perks! The fit-out is a moody culmination of edgy modern meets sassy Latin America. The dark ceiling and dark timber floors create a cosy, intimate atmosphere that is given a design edge with recycled timber screening, touches of Inca-inspired fabrics and a glass chandelier.

As you would expect, the food is by far the star of Morena. A ceviche to start is a must in Peruvian gastronomy and is the perfect intro to the flavours of coastal of Peru. The Ceviche Amazónico is an Amazonian inspired dish of NZ king Salmon ceviche, served with plantain fritters, kiss peppers and aji limo, cumari peppers & Sour Orange dressing–a delicious way to start any meal! Or if fish is not your thing, the Tamal verde is the way to go for something a little different – Peruvian style green tamal with confit duck maryland and eshallot & coriander salsa.

Peruvian style spatchcok a la braza is a Peruvian style roasted whole spatchcok, served with hand cut chips, apple and red cabbage salad & traditional South American sauces–a really sublime fusion of flavours!

Tres Leches is a fabulous way to finish of an inventive dining experience – Traditional Latin American sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk, served with roasted pineapple ice cream..mmm go halves in a second serving anyone?!

The Peruvian adventure is not complete without a taste of Pisco Sour or if you’re feeling a little more adventurous a Pisco Punch or Coca Sour Pisco will have you in good spirits!

All round, Morena is an exciting and different culinary treat that showcases Latin American cuisine in fine-dining style but with that touch of Peruvian pizzazz!

Vibe: Slick, sassy and chic
Price: $$
Perfect for: Adventurous dinner date; casual friendly dining

Morena | 15/425 Bourke Street, Surry Hills | 0405 902 896 | http://www.morena.com.au

The team at Sydney Interactive Theatre have brought to Sydney a fresh, new entertainment medium to add a new layer to this diverse city that we love. This unique and unusual day out is packed with surprises for locals and tourists alike, showcasing the quirkier lesser-known side of The Rocks and Circular Quay.

Delve into a secret mission, aided by clues and mysterious cast members scattered throughout various locations in the city such as park benches, iconic landmarks, bars, wharfs, and back alleys. Let the professional and aspiring actors take you on a crazy journey throughout the streets, laneways and dark alleys of Sydney. Be careful – lurking around the next corner may just be Tony, the mob boss… Who’s in on it? Who’s not? Who’s been paid off by the mob to get you? That’s all part of the fun in this exciting and different part game, part theatre, part tour, part bar crawl experience!

Keep your eyes peeled–you may just find this brilliant concept popping up on the Lime&Tonic Guide. We’re in… Are you game?

Sydney Interactive Theatre | Where? Hmm.. that’s mission sensitive information. We can’t tell you that–yet. | http://sydneyinteractivetheatre.com.au/