Thursday, 30 July 2009
Tonight the menus have been put away and the doors closed to the public as we and many others were invited to join Merivale and Chef Simun Dragicevich to celebrate 15 years of dining at Bistro CBD. In what was once the old NAB building, Bistro CBD has been a long time favourite venue with the corporate lunchtime crowds and a big playing card in Merivale's deck of restaurants. So much so that it has been awarded with One Chef's Hat in the SMH Good Food Guide 2007- 2009. A party was definitely in order!
Starting off with a round of drinks in the downstairs bar of Hotel CBD, a bunch of hungry camera wielding, food loving guests were naturally ushered early upstairs to have an early peek at the range of canapés and to say a quick hi to the man of the hour Chef Dragicevich who was hastily plating an array of delectable morsels yet still looked like an air of calm - all with his trademark head bandana.
The atmosphere was friendly, relaxed and jovial as tonight was made for eating, drinking and mingling. The music was set to groove and I was actually itching to get my boogie on the dancefloor! Alas Tuesdays aren't quite made for dancing yet. But more importantly, the bar was free and kept us hydrated and the food was flowing aplenty.
We were seriously spoiled with tables of morsels to pick at as well as the considerate floating of trays by waitstaff. I made sure to get in my photos quick smart so I'd have two hands at the ready to feed. Looks like my priorities have been sorted tonight.
Sashaying about the floor were plates of Flamiche Tarts with leek and pickled pear - incredibly moreish with the sweetness of the leeks and the crumbly pastry singing through. I love my egg tarts!
Oyster table? Why yes please! A whole table of fresh oysters taunted and tempted and I naturally parked my shellfish-loving keester at the table! Luckily the oysters were au naturale with only lemon and bottles of Chandon to accompany so I was well in control in my oyster intake. Had it come with a dressing or even Kilpatrick then there'd be no chance of prying me away from this table! In fact I was wondering why the rest of the room wasn't hotfooting it around the shellfish. I mean, hello? Oysters!
The other table that I familiarised myself with contained spoons of crispy skinned Jewfish and Romesco sauce. I lost count of how many spoons I had but suffice to say it appeareded that one of the waiters had his eye on me counting by the number of times he came over to take away my plates of empty spoons!
Next to it was a Roast Beef Open Sandwich: tasty nonetheless but I chose to forego the carbs for more important matters (ie jewfish and oysters). It also seemed that taking photos of a completed sandwich was secondary to slurping down the shellfish. My bad.
The table that us bloggers seemed to hover around was, surprise surprise, the dessert table and it didn't disappoint! The Bianchinis or mini pavlovas had a delicious hint of citrus in the meringue (or am I just obsessed with citrus?). I also secretly cooed over the adorable White Chocolate Tarts - white chocolate marquis that were topped with a dollop of zesty mandarin puree.
People lovingly mused over the Double Chocolate Brownies that were made even more delectable by a mere flick of a blowtorch to give the frosting an ultra glossy finish and a seductive melting texture. I guess licking my fingers was the ultimate complement? But the one we all cheered over were the gorgeous Caramelised Banana Cakes with a topping of cinnamon syrup (yes I spotted the container of it and was this close to running off with it!). We just simply couldn't get enough of it!
Happy Birthday and congratulations to Simun Dragicevich and Bistro CBD for feeding us Sydney folk for 15 years and a big thanks to Merivale for inviting me along to party!
Don't forget Merivale Winter Feasts are still ongoing at Bistro CBD for the whole of winter. Check their website for details and menus (bookings essential).
Bistro CBD
Level 1, 52 King Street
(corner of King and York Street)
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 8297 7010
Merivale Winter Feast is available Mon to Fri 12-2pm and 6-8pm
Open Mon to Fri for lunch and dinner
BYO Mon to Wed dinner only
Citrus and Candy attended tonight's event courtesy of Merivale and Bistro CBD
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4 Coffee Breaks:
Hee hee t'was a great night indeed! I stuffed myself silly! but do it again fosho!
Yum so much delicious-looking food! You can't go wrong with oysters and champagne ;). Those chocolate brownies look absolutely to-die-for!
OMG... you can't be serious. Oysters like that would have had me sloppy drunk in happiness. Great looking pictures, I'm sure you had a ball.
Hi FFichiban - I'm with you there!
Hi Penguin - Oh oysters *dream*...
Hi SoCal Pastry Chef - hehe luckily I was driving that night otherwise I would've joined you in the sloppy-oyster-induced-drunkeness!
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