Foodies’ Diary
Image: My last few weeks were spent lapping up the sun, sand and fruits of the sea in the beautiful Cook Islands. Between serves of the best battered fish and chips I’ve had for a very long time, I did manage a spot of fine dining at Windjammer Restaurant. From their cellar selections I chose the 2005 Felton Road Chardonnay from Central Otago, New Zealand. It was, quite simply, astounding.
Currently Drinking
My last few weeks were spent lapping up the sun, sand and fruits of the sea in the beautiful Cook Islands. Between serves of the best battered fish and chips I’ve had for a very long time, I did manage a spot of fine dining at Windjammer Restaurant. From their cellar selections I chose the 2005 Felton Road Chardonnay from Central Otago, New Zealand. It was, quite simply, astounding. Think restrained and elegant, yet fruity and toasty – it says Chablis all over to me. This fabulous wine is perhaps closest in style to the delicious Shaw and Smith M3 Vineyard Chardonnay, a chardonnay that is rarely matched in my humble opinion. I guess it just goes to show that those neighbours across the ditch really know what they’re doing with more than just Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir – and in an area known best for pinot noir to boot. Beg, borrow or steal a bottle with as much haste as you can muster!
Felton Road Wines www.feltonroad.com Ph: +64 3 4450885
Socially-Minded Restaurants Support StreetSmart
As Christmas wheedles ever closer, it’s time for socially-minded restaurateurs to register for this year’s StreetSmart campaign. If you haven’t heard of the campaign, in the six weeks leading up to Christmas, participating restaurants ask diners to add two dollars (or more) to their bill to combat homelessness with StreetSmart distributing the funds to grassroots community organisations. One of the reasons I get behind their campaign is that it is one of the only campaigns I’ve seen where a hundred percent of the donations are distributed in the form of grants.
For us diners it’s an even easier task – dine out in order to help out. As if we needed any more encouragement to treat ourselves to a chef-prepared meal?
So if you happen to own a restaurant, hurry up and register. If you do choose to sign up, you’ll be joining savvy restaurateurs like Christine Mansfield from Universal Restaurant, a regular participant who has signed up again this year. You’ll also be helping those in need.
StreetSmart: www.streetsmartaustralia.org/restaurantcampaign
Doing It For Daddy
For a Father’s Day dining idea with a difference, forgo the socks and undies and take your Dad to The Victoria Room for a Ploughman’s Tea. The clever minxes there have come up with an array of ‘manly’ activities to keep your adult charge occupied, including training him in the art of cigars, and educating his palate with a Single and Double Malt Whiskey Tasting. While Dad is amused competing for prizes for the Best Mo’, Best Comb-Over and Hairiest Ears, you can sip on your favourite cocktail on an elegant chaise lounge. In the eats, he’ll be fed on a veritable feast of roast meat sangers with all the traditional condiments, and an everlasting chocolate buffet. It’s enough to get you written back into the will, or pleasantly inebriated.
$49/person from 1pm Sunday 6th September, 2009 at The Victoria Room.
Bookings: (02) 9357 4488 or info@thevictoriaroom.com
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