136 Raglan Street, Waterloo NSW 2017
A secret foodie rendezvous
Thanks to Ms Darlinghurst from Secret Foodies for inviting me along as a guest to The Medieval Feast ($95) located at the underground restaurant of Studio Neon (which is actually located upstairs). The decor of the venue certainly provided an interesting backdrop for the themed dinner and I was captivated by all the retro furnishings around the place. Chef Rebecca Chippington was in charge of creating the dishes who coincidently does a great job at Revolver Café. The main attraction was probably the huge chunks of Braised venison with elderflowers with its tender meat falling off the bone. Eating it while holding the bone was perhaps not the most elegant way to enjoy it but it did the job. The Crispy pork belly with cider apple relish and honey garlics seemed to be another crowd pleaser with its golden crackling and moist meat. I really liked how the Black bird pie for dessert visually followed the dinner theme served in a heavy pot like the good old days in perhaps a castle or hobbits lair perhaps.
The event was supported by Wine Selectors which I first learnt about at an event at Flying Fish. Wine educator Michael Quirk was on hand to explain the wines chosen which were readily available on the tables for guests to try. I can see the attraction of a secret foodies event for discovering new places around Sydney where everything is organised for you except getting to and from the venue. It would definitely suit a group of friends going together or if you're comfortable on going solo there might be opportunity to also meet a few new ones. If you're someone that likes to plan ahead on what you want to eat and where you want to go then events like this might not be suitable but if you're happy with a few surprises then place your trust with Ms Darlinghurst who has her finger firmly on the foodie pulse.
SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Great event to meet new people or have good times with your own friends, Very interesting decor, Function space available, You get to meet the chef
CONS: It might be more fun if you go with a friend to keep you company, You won't know where you'll be going until one hour beforehand
MUST TRY: Getting a group of friends and letting Secret Foodies manage everything else for a fun night out
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Instructions for rendezvous received via sms. Suburb revealed 2 hours ahead then final venue revealed 1 hour ahead.
The Medieval Feast
Mingle before dinner
Dining table
The menu ($95 per person)
Duck terrine, confit salmon and champagne and cherry pickled carrot
Pickled vegetable, Mount Eyre Neptune Sparkling Semillon Chardonnay 2009, Hunter Valley
Lavender, nettle, sorrel and parsley salad
Toasted chestnuts and porcini soup
Service ladle soup into tea cups, crooked painting just for the hell of it
Crispy pork belly with cider apple relish and honey garlics
Persimmon and Jerusalem artichoke salad
Braised venison with elderflowers — OMG these were huge
Roasted vegetables
Black bird pie (pastry crust filled with fresh berries, aniseed) Whipped mascarpone
Chef Rebecca Chippington (left) in charge of the dishes
The wine
Wines sponsored by Wine Selectors with Michael Quirk (wine educator) on hand to discuss
Pipers Brook Pinot Gris 2008, Tasmania; Petersons Chardonnay Semillon 2010, Hunter Valley NSW, Grant Burge Barossa Vines Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Bleasdale Sparkling Shiraz NV, Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Chrismont La Zona Moscato 2009, King Valley, Victoria
The decor
The organisers
Ms Darlinghurst and Miss Freakie
Studio Neon owner Matt and Ms Darlinghurst
The Secret Foodies
The location
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