Manly Wharf Hotel

There’s nothing like an unexpected spin under Sydney harbour’s glittering lights to remind you to break out of your bubble and explore the abundance on our doorstep (or waterfront). We enter our plush luxury vessel (aka a taxi from Water Taxis Combined) at 6.30pm at the Rose Bay ferry wharf, escorted by a handsome gentleman in uniform.

Our destination of choice is the Manly Wharf Hotel, an exhilaratingly fast boat ride away from the CBD, which has brought on a new chef in honour of its 10th birthday celebrations. Disembarking at the wharf, we discover an outdoor bar full of family groups relaxing at long tables, almost oblivious to their 360 degree ocean views.

A recent refurbishment has created a beachy and relaxed vibe that suits the location, with colourful cushions, blackboard menus and painted surfboards adoring the place. A Jack Johnson-esque musician strums his guitar in the background, we settle for dinner on the comfy indoor seats.

 Examining the surprisingly sophisticated menu, we order a selection of roasted barramundi fillet on spinach gnocchi, herb seared tuna nicoise and a chargrilled lamb fillet salad (and chips – we are in a pub after all!). All were presented beautifully and expertly cooked. The wine selection offered a good cross section of reasonably priced Australian wines, starting at $30 per bottle – a refreshing change when accompanied by a spectacular view.

The friendly staff fit the theme in their nautical t-shirts, and whipped up a couple of cocktails while good-naturedly admitting that they were pretty rarely ordered.

Whether you’re rocking up in thongs after a day at the beach, glammed up for a date night or meeting a mate for a post-work beer, you can be assured of decent food, a chilled out crowd, and an unpretentious haven of waterfront views. Thumbs up to the Manly Wharf Hotel.

Lifeafterfive* was a guest of the Manly Wharf Hotel.

A Taste of Greece with Lyndey Milan

“When in Greece you cook with a Greek heart” declared celebrity chef Lyndey Milan as diners were tantalised with the wafting aromas of Peloponnese cuisine. As jovial chords of live bouzouki music bounce over the twinkling lights of the harbour, it is not a far stretch to imagine ourselves seated in a traditional restaurant on a Mediterranean island.

To celebrate the launch of the Taste of Greece cookbook on the back of her successful SBS series, Lyndey Milan teamed with the George’s Mediterranean Bar & Grill to host a feast drawn from the recipes in the book. Showcasing the highlights of a mother and son food-focused road trip around the Peloponnese, the evening was a heart (and stomach) warming tribute to both the region and Lyndey's late son, Blair.

Lyndey Milan regales diners with tales of the Peloponnese

We begin our culinary journey with a traditional eggplant dip (similar to baba ganoush) and a freshly grilled pita, a tasty portent of the flavoursome delights to come. An exotic collection of mezedes follow, a range of chickpea fritters, BBQ squid filled with fetta and spinach, and zucchini dill and mint fritters.

BBQ Squid with fetta and spinach

Village salad

The main course consists of slow roasted lamb, lemon potatos and village salad. Lyndey introduces each dish with a story, describing how she and Blair stumbled across each. She says that the Hercules Blood cocktail, a concoction of pomegranate seed and tequila, was created by Blair after extensive sampling of cocktails with locals throughout their trip. 

Slow roasted lamb

Matching wines are a carefully chosen selection also hailing from the Peloponnese region, and complement the hearty cuisine. The sweet Kourtakis Muscat of Samos is a memorable finale and dessert is an indulgent cinnamon cheesecake with Samos-soaked muscatels, topping off a mouth watering testament to George’s Executive Chef, Keith Higginson. 

Hercules Blood cocktails

Lyndey reminds us that Greek hospitality is focused on ensuring guests are happy, no matter what it takes. Enjoying a night under the stars with atmospheric music, traditional dishes prepared by a renowned chef and a welcoming host, the mission is well accomplished.  We raise our glasses and toast: Yamas!

Bouzouki player entertains the crowd

Lifeafterfive* was a guest of the event.

Hong Kong; A Quintessentially night on the town

To the uninitiated, Hong Kong is an overwhelming jumble of twisty streets, narrow buildings and teeming market stalls. Businessmen, expats and local traders mingle among a confusing collection of skyscrapers, quirky local stores and premium global brands. 

With a philosophy that insists that life is too short to waste time on second best, Quintessentially Hong Kong addresses the mystery by offering us a window into the enviable lifestyle of Hong Kong’s privileged. An eclectic city that can be tailored to all tastes, our fabulously foxy Quintessentially host – the aptly named Fiona Foxon - artfully guides us through the rabbit warren of streets to discover hidden laneway treasures, private members clubs and hedonistically playful party places. 

Quintessentially's Fiona Foxon & Avey Cortes

Peach & Rose Daquiri at Soiree

Our first stop is a cocktail at Soiree, a stylishly shabby-chic bar frequented by the genetically blessed and sartorially winning. Soiree’s signature cocktail, the Peach and Rose daiquiri, manages to present itself as a dessert, a work of art and a floral tribute in one. With a generous chocolate rim, the smoothie texture of the peach is enhanced by the subtle scent of rose emanating from the rich concoction. Comfortable on the intimate leather lounges, it is tough to wrench ourselves away until we discover our exclusive dinner destination. 

Rachel Jacques at Cipriani

Cipriani Hong Kong is a private members dining club which opened in 2003, a branch of the internationally renowned empire of restaurants around the world. Opened by David Tang and Giuseppe Cipriani, the Hong Kong location prides itself on serving high quality, traditional Italian food to illustrious guests. Counting the likes of Bill Clinton among their regular guests, the impeccable service, flowing wine and warm flavours gave us a taste of the international standards of premium Hong Kong living.

Gauging our predilection for cocktails and dancing, Fiona suggests a post-dinner visit to the Kee Club, a venue that claims to “embrace people from all walks of life – from business professionals to social butterflies”. The Quintessentially name is our passport to the VIP tables, where the gentlemen opt for espresso martinis while the ladies go for lychee. The décor and service scream luxury, while the Friday night crowd is amped for a party. A mesmerising display of unsubtle wealth and glamour, Kee is currently the “hands down - place to be” on Hong Kong island according to our guides. 

Cocktails at Kee

Whether one falls into the camp of “business professional or social butterfly”, no visit to Hong Kong is complete without a foray into Lan Kwai Fong (LKF), the hub of the island’s late night party scene. Awash with activity and beats at 2am, many an expat escapade has taken place on the colourful, narrow street. Our last Quintessentially stop is at a bouncing club named Fly - complete with shots of coffee patrone, cheesy 80s music revving up the dance floor, and a rowdy crowd spilling onto the street. 

Between hidden wine bars, private clubs and popular discos, our Quintessentially Hong Kong night gives us a window into the fast-paced lifestyle that characterises the city. Often touted as the New York of Asia, the bewildering variety of places to discover with limited time reminds us that life is, indeed, too short for second best.

Quintessentially is global Private Members' Club with 24/7 Concierge Services and exclusive member benefits.  Lifeafterfive* was a guest of Quintessentially Hong Kong.

Rojo Rocket, Central Coast

“… There’s a track winding back to an old fashioned shack….”

While the sunny Central Coast may be approximately 450km from Gundagai, the famous Jack O’Hagan ditty springs to mind as we wind our way up Avoca Drive in search of the much hyped Rojo Rocket.

A garden of cactus, an artfully painted Mexican door and a friendly welcome are our first encounter with this strangely located oasis. We walk down a path surrounded by tropical greenery while a painted cow statue observes us from a red framed lily pond and a tanned blonde waiter stands by to greet us. We discover a buzzing restaurant full of large table groups, couples reclining on day beds outside and an upstairs taqueria with a cocktail cantina and funky music. Multi levelled and multicoloured, all venues are open to take advantage of the balmy coastal evenings.

Adrian Reed, whose Mexican wife Nigdali came up with the concept, mingles with the holiday crowd, popping by tables and daybeds to ensure punters are enjoying their margaritas, churros and tapas.

“Toto, I do believe we’re not in Sydney anymore” remarks a member of our group, the exuberance, artwork and originality of the architecture placing us in some exotic Latin American locale. Every glance reveals a trinket worthy of scrutiny, from a screen playing silent movies in the garden behind the bar, to fluorescent lit miniature nativity scenes built into the wall next to the skull surrounded fireplace.

We decide to settle in the upstairs outdoor bar, and order guacamole and freshly prepared lamb tacos from the flowery taqueria cart. The tacos are succulent and flavoursome, while the generous guac servings disappear quickly. The cantina delivers a steady supply of shaken margaritas and fruity sangria, while the gentlemen among us can’t resist the opportunity to partake in a celebratory post-dinner cigar.

An infectious holiday spirit, incredibly friendly staff and an authentic and well executed Mexican menu are the substance behind the hype of this seaside town treasure. Catering to all from hens’ parties in search of fiesta, to casual family dinners to special occasions requiring silver service, Rojo Rocket looks set to be the must-visit destination of the Central Coast.

See more photos of Rojo Rocket and the Central Coast on the Lifeafterfive* facebook page.

Guest Post: Fonda Mexican restaurant, Melbourne

Guest post by Brendan Ferguson

Play word association with 'Fonda' and I immediately think of Jane, or more specifically, her 1982 workout video, which my mother flogged incessantly. For Melbournians though, ‘Fonda’ has recently taken on a different meaning. 

The literal translation of ‘fonda’ in Spanish is ‘inn’, which goes some way to describing the latest addition to Melbourne’s burgeoning Mexican food scene. But Fonda is more than just an ‘establishment providing food and drink’ (as ‘inn’ may be defined) – Fonda is an establishment providing braised pork tacos, grilled chicken and quinoa burritos and frozen margaritas.

Conceived by unlikely restaurateurs, Tim McDonald (lawyer) and Dave Youl (fireman), Fonda benefits from the input of Mexican chef, Lupita Manzo, striking a creative balance between Tex-Mex and awesome. The kangaroo burrito – or burrooto – leaps off the menu ($14), while Fonda’s rockling taco – the Fonda-ling, as McDonald has dubbed it – generates most hype amongst diners ($6). And rightly so. The soft-shell taco is served open, revealing the lightly crumbed fish swimming in chipotle aioli and topped with a zesty salad mix.

Stepping into the narrow, Swan Street shopfront, one can’t help but be happy. The bright yellow walls and fluorescent trimmings demand it, compelling you to order a golden side of charred corn ($3.50). Lathered with chipotle aioli and finished with grated ricotta, the cob comprises several hundred, miniature flavour explosions.

Fonda’s trendy clientele are trumped only by the denim apron-clad kitchen staff. One gets the sense that McDonald and Youl know every customer, and as summer rolls in and the cerveza starts flowing, Fonda’s courtyard will surely be heaving. Which suits the owners just fine. After all, as the laneway graffiti declares, “mi casa [es] su casa.”

Jamie's Italian

Executive Chef Dave Clarke

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver famously declared that “all I ever wanted to do was make good food accessible to everyone”. Opening the cutting edge doors of Jamie’s Italian in the heart of Sydney CBD is a step towards turning his words into reality down under. The new establishment is blazing the road in Sydney towards a new foodie phenomenon – ethically sourced food at affordable prices.

Read my review of the new Pitt St restaurant as the NSW Blogger for lastminute.com.au.

Table Talk @ Cafe Mint

“Over the years I have become convinced that we learn best – and change – from hearing stories that strike a chord within us”

Professor John Kotter, Harvard Business School & author of Leading Change

Table Talk is an innovative concept that takes the age-old tradition of discussing issues around a dinner table, and transplants the conversation into a trendy Surry Hills café.

Devised by two experienced counsellors with backgrounds in psychology, training and management, Nadene Alhadeff and Ros Kennedy decided to recreate the ancient art of a meaningful dinner conversation; the original forum where knowledge was imparted, ideas explored and intimacies created through channelling personal stories.

Nadene Alhadeff & Ros Kennedy

Accustomed to running workplace training courses in corporate settings, Nadene and Ros were convinced that removing the conversation away from a stress-fuelled work environment and creating a relaxed atmosphere would allow groups to connect on a more personal, deep level.

It is a Monday night at Café Mint in Surry Hills, and 14 Gen-Ys have gathered to experience the concept first-hand. The topics on the table are mindfulness, stress management and using empowering language, and the facilitators open with a brief visualisation to focus the group.

We open our eyes, the first delicious course is served - and a spirited conversation ensues. Nadene and Ros deftly guide the conversation, coaxing personal stories from each of the participants and drawing in the latest research and providing useful, practical examples. Personal anecdotes, challenging questions and controversial experiences were shared, with a focus on Gen Y’s unique approach to stress management and the link to social expectation emerging as a common concern.

We explore the danger of words such as “should” – as in, I “should” call my grandmother, I “should” be earning x dollars per year, and the effect that this has on our wellbeing. We learn to recognise the body’s unhealthy responses to stress, and are offered practical steps to address them.

Chef Yoni Kalfus of Café Mint serves an exotic array of share plates, ranging from grilled haloumi skewers, chicken kefte ball in tomato sauce to fish and polenta. The shared food creates a convivial sharing atmosphere, with the private space allowing the group the confidence to speak our minds.

Two hours fly by, and there are many lingering questions as we wrap up the evening. With appetites satisfied and our minds inspired, the conversation flows on the journey home. A rare opportunity to discuss challenging personal concepts collectively, Table Talk provides an ideal opportunity for groups of friends or colleagues to gather, unwind and connect.

Table Talk is an initiative of Nadene Alhadeff & Ros Kennedy, in conjunction with Cafe Mint.  It costs $95 pp, and includes 3 x courses, venue hire and a facilitated discussion.   Discussions are tailored to the interests of individual groups and workplaces.

For more information, contact nadenealhadeff@yahoo.com.au or rosken@bigpond.net.au.