What’s on around town

• Ricos Tacos and Juzzy’s Tacos are joining forces for a one-day-only taco party in the Norfolk courtyard. On Sunday March 16, expect curry-topped tacos – like masala sweet potato with salsa roja – street-style corn and $12 Tommy’s Margaritas. Plus, Justin Narayan will be there signing copies of his book Everything Is Indian.

• Serene Darlo coffee spot Maido – from Provider Store – is closing this weekend. Head in on Sunday March 16 for your final matcha or Artificer coffee.

• Matt Moran and Vic’s Meats’ Anthony Puharich are getting together for an interactive workshop at Chophouse. You’ll learn to select, dry age and cook the perfect steak, then finish with a four-course meal. Tickets are $175 and very limited.

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• Michelin-starred London institution St John is popping up at Bessie’s on Tuesday March 18. Head in for oustanding snacks and wine, and a chat with co-founder Trevor Gulliver and head chef Farokh Talati.

• Descend the Pleasure Club stairs on Friday March 14 for a dreamy cocktail menu and a free gig by Heartbreak High’s Ayesha Madon.

• Newly opened Rockpool Lounge is here, perched above Rockpool Bar & Grill in the CBD. Snack on Wagyu empanadas and king prawn cutlets, or go big with beef shin ragu cavatelli and luxe takes on minute steaks.

• Celebrate Bar Infinita’s first birthday with $5 tiramisu Martinis on Thursday March 20 and free tiramisu on Friday March 21.

• Otto has just debuted an $89 three-course family-style menu; the Mangia menu delivers antipasti, pastas for the table and dessert.

• Felons Manly is kicking off Oyster Hour, shucking $3 Sydney rock oysters from 3pm till 6pm, Monday to Friday. Also on offer: frosty pours of the Manly-brewed Japanese rice lager.

• Apericena Afternoons: Darlo’s newest happy hour is at Fabbrica. Find pre-dinner snacks and $12 Negronis, spritzes and vermouth. From 3pm till 5pm, Friday to Sunday.

• Two Good Co’s chef of the month is Neil Perry. The chef’s putting on a Cubano with pork carnitas, a salad jazzed up with herby tahini dressing, and carrot cake. Dining here supports women at risk of domestic violence, homelessness and trauma.

• Celebrate Holi at Flyover Fritterie from March 14 to 16. The special menu is inspired by a bite the team had in Delhi – expect vegetarian kachoris (golden-fried Rajasthani pastries filled with spiced dal), puris with stewed potato and pastel kulfi-inspired soft serve.

What we covered this week

• First look: the grill is king at Osteria Mucca, the final venue in the Continental Deli crew’s Australia Street line-up.

• Nigella Lawson is leading the way in Vivid’s 2025 food program, curating a three-night dinner series in a tunnel underneath Martin Place. Tickets on sale now.

• Now open: Regina La Pizzeria wants to be Sydney’s new pizza queen. And it just might be with its trio of pizza styles: woodfired, deep-dish and fried. It’s also got the only Fazzone oven in Sydney, so its reign is likely just getting started.

• Let the Aussie cola wars begin. Are local versions better than the OG?

• I Can’t Stop Thinking About: the ludicrously large $17 lasagne at a new favourite pub.

You might’ve missed

• The just-opened venues we got excited about in February, including a trio of all-you-can-eat barbeque buffets, pancakes from the Continental Deli team and stretchy ice-cream from Tripoli.

• First look: Otogo goes for round two with a second store near Town Hall Station, complete with an AI-trained sushi-wrapping robot for speedy lunches.

• Toby Wilson’s latest cooking endeavour is… revolting. The Ricos Tacos founder and chef discovered a stash of retro cookbooks and is now whipping up Coca-Cola eggs, “creamed lamb shape” and more.