What’s on around town
• Tableside scoops: Bistro George – on level one of Jacksons on George – has added a tiramisu trolley to its line-up of desserts. Order a serve and the whopping dessert will be wheeled out to meet you, scooped onto your plate for just a dash of theatre.
• Lunch stop: Fabbrica Bread Shop has a fully loaded porchetta sanga on the menu for just this week. There’s a spread of piccalilli joining the smoked meat, which is cut with Granny Smith apple and rocket.
• On the sweeter side, Darlinghurst’s Shadow Baking has a roasted plum and vanilla custard danish on the counter this weekend (till sold out – arrive early).
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SIGN UP• Pier Bar is keeping Sydney Festival-goers fed and watered with a combo of tuna tacos and a house drink for $30. An absolute bargain with that water view.
• Keep holiday vibes up with a Saturday spent aboard superyacht The Jackson. Veuve Clicquot in the Sun is the series that’ll have you cruising our harbour in luxury, with bubbles, live DJs, an oyster bar and canapes. The next date up is Saturday January 27, with DJs Aroha and Chux on the decks (and the deck).
• Inner-west natty wine house Doom Juice is crossing the bridge to Manly’s Banco, for the first meet the (wine)maker event of 2024. Head into the Italian joint to enjoy winemakers Seb and Zac on the pour, with Banco’s team on snacks. Bookings recommended.
• As we raise a glass of aquavit to the first ever Aussie-born queen, go back to where our Mary met her Fred – El Loco at Slip Inn – for a Danish-inspired menu, all January long.
• A rooftop Mexican-inspired bar is awaiting atop Bondi Pavilion. Glory Days x Upstairs is the summer-long pop-up with frozen Margs, tuna tostadas and local DJs on the deck – plus pours of the world’s first quadruple-distilled tequila.
• It’s Enmore Country Club’s first birthday – and you’re invited. On Saturday January 20, there’ll be good times only: DJs spinning till late, drink specials and giveaways. The theme? Summer of ’69.
• Newtown’s latest provisions store Marani Deli is back for the year, with a ready-to-slice country terrine from Milsons Point boulangerie Loulou – tasty intel if you’re on the south side of the bridge.
• There’s a trio of magical specials at Bistro Nido until February 18. Celebrating Beauty & the Beast’s run at the Capitol Theatre, the French-Japanese restaurant in the CBD is delivering a spectacular strawberry-laced dessert and two cocktails that pull out all the stops.
What we covered this week
• First look: Gaia Gelato is open in Randwick, and scooping standout pastel-hued flavours like peach and basil. It’s only been open a fortnight but it’s already a hit with locals.
• It’s third time around for the West Juliett team, who’ve returned to Marrickville with Agnes. The cafe is stocked full of house-made goods – like tomato galettes and cinnamon scrolls – and there’s a ripper roll call of sandwiches on fresh-baked focaccia. Plus, the famous pink-salt chocolate-chip cookies have also made a comeback.
• Le Salle Dining is now open, and it’s the spot for a spectacular evening of fine plates and small-batch wines, from a team of just two. The only catch is some planning is required: Le Salle opens by reservation only, at 24 hours’ notice.
• Did Parisian Totti copy our Bondi-born Totti’s? Well, the pair look mighty similar. Broadsheet spoke to Miss Double Bay about the copycat and whether the saga is just some fun for territorial Sydneysiders, or if it’s likely we’ll see some cross-continental legal action.
• Now open: Yana heats up Coogee with two storeys of flame-powered dining – expect whole roasted barramundi and one-kilo steaks, and a dessert usually saved for camping. Try your luck for a seat on the tiny upstairs balcony, for a spritz overlooking the buzzy main drag.
• Always-pumping sets are near, people – Urbnsurf Sydney is just a few months away. Soon, we’ll have a lagoon-side Rafi and a spot for post-surf tacos and Margs – here’s everything we know so far.
• First look: Climb a set of sweet pink steps on Crown Street to Cafe Ellu, the terrace-house cafe with crème brûlée French toast, $10 avo toast and a winning matcha.