Snack Bar: Free Croissants at Ace, $10 Burgers at Bar Julius and More Local Food News This Week

What’s on around town

• Head to Ace Hotel from 8am on Thursday and Friday this week to nab yourself a free Black Cockatoo croissant (with any drink purchase). These golden beauties are exceptionally layered and crunchy – all the more impressive when you find out they’re dairy free, using Bu Deli’s vegan butter.

• High & Low is the whisky-powered event taking over all three levels of The Porter House Hotel in the CBD. Tickets are $85 and include a $20 food voucher, tote bag, and over 75 tastings, from 3pm till 7pm on Saturday August 16.

• Isobel Whelan-Little is the Ace Hotel’s new (and first) culinary director. First, the ex-Brat chef's taking the lobby bar and all-day winner Loam to new heights. But she’s already ramped up the daily happy hour, where there $12 Martinis and $2 oysters get involved.

• The QVB’s ESQ is pairing American-style barbeque with bottomless Old Fashioneds on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until the end of August. Sweet corn hushpuppies topped with smoked crème fraiche, maybe? Or skirt steak doused in bourbon butter? Tickets are $95 and include all food and drinks. Bookings essential.

• Bar Julius is the place for $10 burgers. And exceptionally good ones at that. Swiss cheese melts onto a thick beef patty, with celeriac remoulade and dijonnaise, in a classic bun. Available Monday to Sunday, between midday and 3pm, from July 28 till August 31.

• Four sandwich specials hitting Sydney for just one week. Fratelli Paradiso is getting involved, along with a Redfern favourite. Plus, a harbourside number that arrives with a pot of rich beef sauce for dipping.

What we covered this week

• Tiktok sensation Cherry’s Goods brings her viral cookies to a CBD kiosk. Follow the queue through The Galeries and you’ll find exceptionally gooey cookies and an ultra-frothy pistachio matcha.

• Three new Italian spots bringing back old-school vibes – including an instant classic in the CBD and a Balmain newcomer already adored by its community.

• First look: 24 York , Rockpool’s new CBD dining room, is all about one thing – steak frites.

• The frites frenzy continues with Loulou Bistro , which opened in Martin Place this week. The all-day beauty serves caramelised brioche in the morning and French bistro classic (like steak frites-stuffed baguettes) at night.

• No flights necessary: NYC Chinatown restaurant Chinese Tuxedo is popping up in Sydney for three nights – and it’s bringing its drunken fried chicken.