Welcome back to another edition of Monday Munchies where we bring you the most important food news, restaurant openings, reviews and recipes of the week. In this edition, we’re checking out a new breakfast menu from one of our favourite restaurants in Newtown alongside a host of must-see food action, collaborations, and happy hours. Let’s check it out.
“The ‘bacon butty’ w/ crispy house-made bacon was a great Christmas party hangover cure”
Odd Culture Newtown Launches Breakfast Menu
Odd Culture Newtown has added an exciting new breakfast service to its all-day dining and drinking offering from the minds of Executive Chef, James MacDonald (ex-Hubert), and Head Chef, Jesse Warkentin (ex-Continental Deli).
Launched in November last year, the venue has been Odd Culture Group’s biggest project to date and has fast become one of Newtown’s best watering holes. When you walk in the front door of the venue you’re immediately treated to a view of the two-level, hybrid space that boasts a bar, restaurant, and now cafe.
“Breakfast has always been part of the plan but we wanted to do it differently. We looked for inspiration from other top restaurants around the world that have set the bar high for what can be achieved in all-day dining. What sets our breakfast apart is that we are putting our unique Odd Culture spin on things and using techniques, textures and flavours honed during our lunch and dinner services,” said Executive Chef, James MacDonald.
One look at the menu and you’ll notice it’s a far cry from your usual cafe offering with no smashed avo insight. We grabbed a table at the window on our visit, however, tables out on the street and inside are just as nice.
Dishes on the menu are influenced by MacDonald’s and Warkentin’s backgrounds. We chose the ‘buttermilk pancakes with banana and miso caramel’ inspired by Warkentin’s Canadian heritage and love for pancakes and maple syrup. The sweet caramelisation of the banana is balanced by the distinctive miso taste. More savoury than sweet, but delicious nonetheless.
The ‘Bacon Butty’, was a personal favourite; a double-layered white bread breakfast sandwich that will cure any hangover (we tested this theory). Made with crispy house-made bacon that has been dry-cured in salt, sugar and spices for five days before being gently smoked and slow-cooked for 12 hours, complete with a big dollop of tonkatsu sauce on the side to dip into. You might turn your head at the thought of no egg, but trust us, you don’t need it.
Odd Culture Group is shaking up Sydney’s hospitality scene and redefining the meaning of remarkable local food and drink experiences across their venues including The Old Fitz, The Duke of Enmore and Oxford Tavern. The group has multiple new projects on the horizon for this year with more details to be announced soon.
Address: 266 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
Hours: Mon-Wed 7am-12am, Thur-Sat 7am-2am, Sun 7am-10pm
Phone: (02) 8317 3057
Image: Ni Hao Bar x Simulation Senpai
Ni Hao Bar x Simulation Senpai is Back By Popular Demand
Cantonese favourite, Ni Hao Bar, and Japanese mainstay, Simulation Senpai, are coming together for another successful event following two sell-out events in February.
Owner of Ni Hao Bar, Howin Chui and head chef, Bremmy Setiyoko, join Sydney’s best Japanese and critically acclaimed chef, Chase Kojima to offer some of the best Cantonese x Japanese cuisines Sydney has to offer with their crossover menu.
Kojima is considered to be Australia’s best and most influential Japanese chef. He currently fronts Sokyo at The Star in Sydney. Beginning his culinary career at 11-years-old at his father’s traditional Japanese restaurant, then working in restaurants all over the world, including the Nobu restaurant group his touch is unmatched when it comes to Japanese in Sydney. Ni Hao’s Setiyoko came to Sydney in 2012 to pursue a career as a head chef, working for acclaimed restaurants, Jazz City Diner, Spice Temple, and Sepia, prior to his current position as head chef at Ni Hao Bar the Cantonese crossover king is bringing more than a little flavour to the table here.
Kojima and Setiyoko will push their creative culinary skills to the limit, playing with the food from each other’s menus, adding Cantonese and Japanese flavour where they see fit.’
Ni Hao Bar x Simulation Senpai Information
Courses: 10-course meal
Price: $128pp
When: Sunday March 13, 12.00pm + 6.00pm.
Where: Ni Hao Bar, 1/388 Pitt St Sydney, NSW 2000
Book: [email protected]
BVLGARI High Tea at the Conservatory
Luxury fashion label Bvlgari is bringing its legendary Serpenti collection to life through an array of delicately crafted desserts for a High Tea offer at the Conservatory offer like no other. From now until April 24th, fans of the brand can indulge in everything from mascarpone mousse, to Savoiardi biscuit with espresso coffee jelly, strawberry frangipane tartlet with a perfectly whipped vanilla ganache, and intricate desserts.
Pricing starts from $88, and guests can expect a luxury offering with free-flowing coffee and tea, while a glass of Ruinart Brut Champagne is included for a total of $135. Or if you’re feeling generous, opt for a flowing Ruinart Brut Champagne package for $250. We know which option we’d be choosing! The High Tea is available from Saturday and Sunday afternoons in Conservatory and bookings are essential.
Fabbrica Pasta Shop Launches Appertivo Hour
A new Aperitivo hour has landed in the CBD, with Fabbrica Pasta Shop now offering affordable post-work cocktails and alfresco snacks every weekday from 3-5 pm. Available now, the classico Italiano offering includes $10 Negronis,$10 Aperol Spritzes, $5 Campari Sodas and $5 Peroni’s, as well as a rotating lineup of fried and sliced snacks.
We absolutely love the house-made Tathra Place chicharron (salty, fried pork rind), mushroom arancini and selection of charcuterie and cheese, and we promise you will too. Fabbrica’s extensive wine list of 100-plus minimal intervention bottles from across Australia, Italy and beyond will also be offered during the two hours, with diners also able to take these wines home for kick-on for a discounted retail price. Aperitivo hour will take place in Fabbrica’s King Street courtyard, just across the road from the newly reopened Theatre Royal. Most importantly (in a time like this) it’s sheltered from rain, filled with plants and features cosy high tables.
Aperitivo Hour at Fabbrica Pasta Shop
Hours: 3-5 pm, Monday to Friday (from March 2),
Address: 161 King Street, Sydney
Note: Aperitivo hour is walk-in only, dinner reservations from 5 pm onwards.
Image: The Grumpy Baker
The Grumpy Baker Reopens Bus Stop Cafe on Elizabeth St
After a long-awaited few months, The Grumpy Baker will be firing up the bread ovens again and re-opening at their Elizabeth Street Bus Stop Café.
The Grumpy Baker baristas will be roasting coffee beans ahead of Monday morning for all those who are heading back in the office or just popping by. Of course, Grumpy Baker will be serving up all their crowd favourite pastries and bread, which are all freshly baked each morning.
Head to the Bus Stop and grab the ultimate morning duo – a barista-made coffee and warm croissant *yum*. Otherwise, take your pick from their range of house-made sourdough bread; Rye black Russian, Traditional sourdough, Spelt Rye & Malt, Roasted Garlic & Olive, Potato & Rosemary, Linseed Soy & 7 Grains or if you are feeling extra sweet – their Walnut & Fig Bread. There’s also a delicious selection of pastries on display including the pain au chocolat, wild berry scrolls, raisin snails, cheese sticks and an assortment of fresh muffins.
The Elizabeth Street Bus Stop café will be open from 6 am-6 pm from Monday to Friday. The Grumpy Baker are looking forward to welcoming back all their new and existing CBD customers!
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