Buffalo Dining Club, Darlinghurst

If "All I have in the world is my Mozzarella and my Word" then after promising to "write a post tonight" for so long, all I am left with now is just my Mozzarella and there will be cheese aplenty in this post! The faithful trio of myself; Demos and the Gooseman wound up finding ourselves at Buffalo Dining Club, another new addition to the Darlinghurst precinct off the main drag of Victoria Rd

Buffallo Dining Club is a two storey super casual eatery. It's  fun and rowdy, just the way we like it. It was a busy saturday night and although they don't take any bookings we missed the first wave of diners. There are no menus, only a chalkboard and a very reasonably priced wine list. A great bottle of Santa Cristina Sangiovese ($42) was the pick of the bunch and was one of the several bottles listed that was under $50. 

Now for the food. With a name like Buffalo Dining Club, I know I was picturing another new eatery riding the american food wave and serving buffalo hot wings with cowboy hats. No friends; the buffalo in question here is buffalo mozzarella and LOTS of it. Lactose Intolerants need not apply. No seriously, just don't. 

Starting the proceedings was a serving of Burrata, with a side of potato croquettes and chilli brocollini. $15 gets you 125 grams of Burrata (or 100 grams of fresh buffalo mozzarella) and a selection of two sides from the chalkboard menu. Aside from the two we selected they offered other dishes such as balsamic baby carrots, portobello mushrooms, honey roasted fennel almonds and so on and so forth. What about the meat? 

Signorelli Gastronomia, Pyrmont (Let's do Brunch - SIFF 2010)

"I just saw them pour two shots of vodka into your bloody mary - it's 10 am."
"Don't worry I can handle it"

Silly silly Demos.

Continuing our "early" start at the Pyrmont Grower's Festival, I was a woman on a mission to have Brunch at Signorelli Gastronomia. More specifically, I was on a truffle scrambled eggs  kind of mission.  When I saw they were listed as one of the restaurants taking part in the "Let's do Brunch" event for the month of October I had my heart set on trying it out.

It was the first day of the Crave Sydney International Food festival, Demos and I were pretty much two of the first few people to arrive. Maybe we did seem a bit too keen, but we had no problems getting a spot on the exquisite marble bench overlooking one of the food prep areas.

The concept behind "Let's do Brunch" is that different cafes and restaurants put up a special brunch menu on the weekends for $25 per person. Some places offer fruity drinks with this set price others charge extra for "special' beverages, this was the case here. I order the Peach Bellini and Demos, as previously mentioned, challenges the Bloody Mary. Somehow it doesn't seem right to be consuming alcoholic beverages at 10am, knowing the McDonald's is still serving breakfast for another 30 mins; but, our excuse is that "research purposes for the blog of course.." Besides, these two $10 cocktails are perfectly acceptable at the breakfast table - were not downing shots of tequila here!

Still being a bit quiet and relatively empty inside, our Shared Breakfast Antipasti arrives in a flash. Grilled mushrooms, rocket dressed with olive oil, 2 pieces of proscuitto, 2 pieces of coppa and 2 pieces provolone cheese are presented to us on a wooden board. Looking back I was a bit underwhelmed. We were surrounded by hanging legs of aged jamon, imported cold cuts beautifully displayed, a selection of fine imported cheeses and what we received was a pretty basic selection. Its like being surrounded by (forgive me male readers..) Jewelled Jimmy Choo's, sky high YSL platforms, metal studded Christian Louboutins and leopard print Manolo's and receiving a pair of flats, albeit sequinned flats.. The flats are comfy, practical and pretty, but being surrounded by more tempting options you'd want to pay that little bit extra for the full experience. Maybe I was expecting a bit much to get a sky high pile of san danielle proscuitto for $25pp but its hard when your sitting across a delectable cured meat cabinet.

Now for the truffle scrambled eggs. I could smell that truffly goodness as the dishes were approaching. As we got stuck into our eggs we felt a void that only carbs could fill. The dish does not come with any bread at all, and we stare at the Sonoma Artisan bread they have for sale. Unfortunately, at this time the only thing you could order was the set brunch menu, full menu isn't available until 12pm. The truffle flavour in the scrambled eggs was deliciously sinful and exactly what I craved for.. I could only wish for a toasted piece of sourdough to complete it! Im not a big fan of cured fish at all (I did try it though) so my one and a half portions of in-house cured salmon ended up with Demos.

Food Prep area and deli counter

More delicious buys..limocello, gelati and pasta - oh my!

Every carnivoire's heaven

I'm never completely disappointed with any of the meals that Demos and I share but it just seemed that we got so little for what was essentially a $70 breakfast. But, the overly positive side of me still found it to be an enjoyable experience. Demos struggled through his Bloody Mary as expected but he blamed the tobasco sauce not the vodka. We were happy to be able to sample their brunch but I think next time I would choose to order from the full menu so that we get exactly what we want. I guess being in such a beautifully decorated and opulent venue I had high food expectations.. I just need to repeat that it was $25 per person, I just wished that we were a little bit fuller, but hey - it was stil early!

     

After our meal we left behind half a glass of the potent bloody mary and wandered into the cheese room, my happy place. In wise words of Arnie, "Ill be back".

So that's our first proper Crave SIFF "Let's do brunch" experience, we plan to try out more before month's end - and for more SIFF event ideas make sure you visit Anna @ Morsels and Musings for her weekly SIFF Rundown. Happy Eating Everyone!

Signorelli Gastronomia - 02 8571 0616 - 48 Pirrima Rd Pyrmont 2009
http://www.signorelli.com.au/

Time To Vino, Darlinghurst

Sometimes you might be having 'one of those days' where nothing is going your way and you can't think of anything better than turning that computer off and storming out of that office and just downing a nice glass of wine to take the edge off the day that has unfolded over the past 10 hrs. You might be thinking that it sounds like someone has a few alcoholic tendencies but I think that at times there is nothing better than to sit back and unwind with good company over a glass of wine. Feeling a bit 'meh' one evening we decided to try a place in Darlinghurst that we have walked past a few times before. Time to Vino is a beautiful little wine bar in Stanley St, Darlinghurst. With nothing but red wine on the mind what more of a fitting place to go.

We stroll in and get seated in the back, the area is a small room dimly lit and with hundreds of books and magazines about wine for your enjoyment. It really sets the scene for some unwinding. At this stage we were feeling a bit peckish so we asked to have a look at the menu to order a few things to have with a few glasses of wine. While we were pouring over the menu it just so happened that there were quite a few things that sounded really good. What was meant to be a glass of wine or two ended up turning into a beautiful meal. 

But the important task at hand was getting the wine sorted. From what I remember we ordered a carafe of 2007 Poliziano Sangiovese from the Chianti Region of Italy, needless to say my favourite italian wine. It really did hit the spot might I add. To start appeasing the growing appetite that was on hand we ordered some marinated olives.... and pork belly.....and arancini.....and slow cooked ribs......and..............apple crumble!

Orignially we wanted to try the gourmet toastie sandwiches that Time to Vino has been famous for this dinner. Yes, toasted duck rillette, swiss brown mushroom and sweet onion sandwiches - which unfortunately were unavailable that night. Oh well, another reason to come back right? The olives ($6) were an assortment of varieties and we were off to a great start. Marinated in oil, vinegar and herbs - a good friend for the wine.

The crispy pork belly ($15 / 4 pcs) served with pear went down a treat, the words 'crispy' and 'pork' always manages to light up the room. The saltiness of the pork and the sweetness of the pear was well balanced but there is nothing better than sinking your teeth into crispy pork crackling wherever you may be. One of life's finest experiences I would have to say - eating crunchy salty crackling..you cant get any better than that!

The arancini ($12) were amazing. Small bite sized pieces that were lightly coated, stuffed with rice and gorgonzola cheese served on a bed of napolitana sauce, yes kids - gorgonzola everyone's favourite guilty pleasure. Just plain yummy and can fix whatever headache/toothache/emotional mess you have got yourself in. Cue 90's emotional music. "Nothing Copares to you" by Sinead O'Connor is fitting music for this Arancini.

Looking back in hindsight the Ribs were an impulse order ($15).......one that was most definitely not regretted. The meat was tender, the serving was large and the sauce was sweet, sticky and just so flavoursome you couldn't help but want to lick your fingers afterward, and maybe even the plate. So good and and it melts off the bone and if you look closely at the photo you can see the sweet sticky sauce dripping off.

Having finished the food and the wine and feeling quite relaxed and content we couldn't help ourselves so we just had to order desert. We felt somewhat compelled to do so given that the food was so so good. We couldn't go past the Apple and Hazelnut Crumble served with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream ($12). It comes out warm in a brown clay pot with ice cream slowly melting over it. These pictures do not do it justice because I simply just wanted to dig in before Demos ate everything. The filling was piping hot and the apple was tart and sweet and the crumble added that nice texture making a beautiful desert overall. It was such shame that I had to share it with Demos. I'll know for next time. 

So my advice is that the next time you feel that it's become all a bit to much and you are thinking that it's 'A Time to Kill' just put the pens down, turn those computers off, say goodbye and know that it's "Time to Vino!" You know you want to!

P.S. Just how awesome is Samurai Domo from Japan? He fends off Traffic Rage.

Time to Vino

66 Stanley St Darlinghurst (02) 3380 24252

Open Tuesday to Saturday 4pm til Late

2042 Cafe and Deli, Newtown

We here at The Empty Fridge take brekky seriously - and when it comes to the meal of champions, we don't muck about. We do the hearty breakfasts well, most attribute this to a big night out and would consider these dishes "hangover cures"but come on guys..you know us better than that. Our nights have been spent at home, alternating between Bill the Vampire and Don Draper. Hungover or not, somehow the Museli, Yoghurt, Banana Bread, Oats, Fruit Salad aka Healthy Light Option portion of the breakfast menu is overlooked 9 out of 10 times. Bring on the Bacon and the Chorizo, and pile it up.

Gianna and I have trekked down the far end of King St (The 'away from the city' side) several times to visit 2042 Cafe and Deli, and its fast becoming a regular haunt for locals. It is also across the road from the increasingly popular Bloodwood restaurant. This particular visit was on a sunny Saturday morning and it was already bustling at 10am. I want to add that this cafe is also a continental deli, and you intelligent readers would have also seen that in the title - but I'll get to the magical cave of wonders of imported meats and pastry goods inside. We are on a breakfast mission and we manage to score a table outside. 

The coffee here is delicious, they serve Danes organic coffee and G's Piccolo and my Macchiato are brought out in a flash and with a friendly smile.The service here is excellent, despite everyone being rushed off their feet by the weekend morning crowds. I order the Schulz smoked wagyu beef sandwich with swiss cheese, saukeraut, dijonaise and pickles on soft white rye bread ($13.90).

Gianna..being Gianna (note: who is currently undergoing a fitness / healthy eating overhaul) orders the corn and ricotta hotcake with bacon, rocket and green tomato relish ($14.90). However, she flashes that smile and substitutes the bacon for chorizo and this is why I adore my hungry girlfriend. For a while there, I didn't think she was going to share anything, but the dish is a great choice. The hotcakes are still sweet, and balances the salty goodness of the chorizo. There are also sweet corn kernels mixed into this batter which also gives it a nice crunch. The rocket and green tomato relish make Gianna think that she is eating something healthy but I think it provides a nice tangy flavour and adds to the overall appeal.

My breakfast sandwich was simply put - delicious. The Smoked wagyu beef is a testament to the high quality of meat that is sold at the deli counter. It has a great flavour, and is reminiscent of my favourite rare roast beef sandwich at Katz Delicatessen in New York. The tanginess of the dijonaise spread cuts through the slices of wagyu beef, and it was so good I wanted to ask for a big squeezable bottle of that stuff. My only complaint is that it was missing was a big bowl of fries - but this was breakfast.

After demolishing our meals, we opt for fruity frappes. Gianna had a cherry frappe and I had the the lemon variation. Both were delicious even with the cold wind blowing in our faces and a couple of brain freeze situations. Drink Slowly. 2042 is a licensed cafe and is open till late - so you can also have a champagne breakfast or a late night vino if you can pull yourself away from the TV.

If you are not full, or even just passing by make sure you take full advantage of the deli inside. As mentioned previously, its a treasure trove of imported small goods, cured meats, antipasti - and everyone's favourite - imported cheeses. Eveything is sourced from around the world - Imported salami and proscuitto, Spanish Jamon, Danish and French Cheese is all exciting stuff. The writing on the wall tell us that come lunch and dinner time, 2042 would make a mean cheese and chauticerrie platter, with cocktails and wine to match. We are definitely coming back for a 2024 after dark post, the offer is just too tempting. For today, its a small container of Sicilian olives and some French Brie for afternoon tea later in the day. They also stock Sonoma artisan bread, and we should have grabbed that olive loaf.

Until next time 2042, thank you for an amazing breakfast. You give Bill's a run for their money and we'll be back in Newtown shortly, hopefully to pick up a bike from the shop nearby. You have to burn off the chorizo and wagyu somehow. 

2042 Cafe and Deli 

403-405 King St Newtown (02) 9550 2500