Launch of Stoli's Global Casting Call‏, The Back Room, Sydney (13 Sept 2011)

2A Roslyn Street, Potts Point NSW 2011

http://www.backroomsydney.com
http://www.facebook.com/stolivodkaaustralia

Call out for creative individuals

Thanks to Brooke Simmons from Polkadot PR for inviting me along to the launch of the Stoli Global Casting Call at the well-hidden and quirky style bar The Back Room. Greeted by Playboy Bunnies isn't something you come across everyday, sadly, but the themed Hugh Hefner was also on standby to support the cause to try and find someone as original as himself to win a trip to LA and enjoy a party at the Playboy Mansion. If that wasn't cool enough (for guys anyway) you also get to experience a Zero Gravity Flight. Opportunities like this probably come around once in a lifetime but to win you'll need to be a very highly creative and original individual of some description and enter via Facebook by 15 October 2011. Stoli Cocktail Ambassador Luke Ashton created two cocktails to try and match the theme of the competition. They were pretty different and the Just Add Water cocktail reminded me a little bit of the experimental cocktails I had at Zeta Bar's Extreme Cabaret. Adding Freeze Dried Fruit Powder to Stoli was something I hadn't really come across although if you didn't successfully dissolve the powder it was like eating sherbet in your cocktail. I think I preferred the Supanova cocktail but in moderation because it seemed to be quite sweet or maybe it was the taste of cherry that I needed to consume in moderation. A few canapes were on hand including lamb cutlets which seemed to be a crowd pleaser. I was so side tracked by the cocktails that I missed out on enough food throughout the night so had to top myself up with some nachos around the corner from Guzman Y Gomez.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Enter to win a trip with a mate to LA including a party at the Playboy Mansion (I'm assuming no touching allowed?) and a Zero Gravity Flight Experience.

CONS: You can only enter via Facebook it seems, Drinking more cocktails than eating food usually doesn't end well the next day

MUST TRY: Thinking of a good cocktail to make with the Stoli Orange I received in the goodie bag

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Bartenders ready to please including Luke Ashton (right)

Cocktail making in progress

Freeze Dried Fruit Powder Blend for 'Just Add Water' cocktail — Do not sniff, it'll make your nose a funny colour, I think

Just Add Water cocktail — Combination of Stoli Vodka with Freeze Dried Fruit Powder Blend

Freeze dried fruit garnishes — Pineapple or Blackberry

Bartender Luke making the Supernova cocktail - Stoli combined with Mozart Dry Chocolate Spirit, Russion Caravan Tea and Cherry Tisane, Menthol

Lamb cutlets — these were quite yummy although I think some of the tomato salsa made its way to the floor in the process

Crispy wontons filled with cheese — how could you go wrong

Pork belly canapes with I think an apple salsa

Seared fish canape

I obviously pulled the short straw to have my photo with the Playboy bunny hostesses

Some Stoli cocktail lovers

When you're that rich you might as well shoes that are comfortable

Photographers in action

Walls hangings and encyclopedia page turning to Human Reproduction System

Upside down lamp decor

Mens and womens toilet wall decor

Stoli Vodka Lime & Soda, Goodie Bag of Stoli Orange and merchandise

Look out for the scary dolls in the TV

The Backroom signage

Late night snack of Guzman Y Gomez Nachos ($10.50)

Stolichnaya Global Casting Call



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Dumpling and Noodle House: Chinese, Potts Point (11 Nov 2010)

165 Victoria Street,
Potts Point NSW 2011

Hole-in-the-wall dumplings

Prepare to wait for a table at this cheap and cheery hole-in-the-wall dumpling house during busy dinner time. The limited and slightly uncomfortable alfresco seating on the pathway amongst parked cars and pedestrians passing by may not be the most romantic way to spend a night but the bill won’t break the bank either. There’s a tiny bit of seating inside but on a nice night the lively atmosphere outside is well prized. Lamb fried dumpling ($11.50 for 12 pieces) come with a nice crispy netted base as too the Seafood fried dumpling ($14.50 for 12 pieces). I usually prefer the fried version of dumplings over the steamed or boiled style. There’s not a lot of broth in the ShangHai Xiao Long Bao ($9.50 for 8 pieces) but perhaps more flavour than the plainer yet perfectly made ones at Din Tai Fung.

The more expensive Shrimp steamed dumpling ($12.50 for 6 pieces) come with visible prawn inside. Boiled green vegetable serve with black soy sauce and hot oil ($9.50) has unfortunately more stalk than leaves and perhaps not at its best but adds some healthy greens to the diet. I found the soy sauce and chilli served at the table for the dumplings a bit flavourless for some reason as if watered down, perhaps for the Western palate? The kitchen is located downstairs so this can add to the delay of a timely service. They seemed to be understaffed so prepare to wait for your dumplings when busy and don't expect attentive service. Toilets are also located downstairs so expect a precarious journey to get to them via the steep narrow stairs and tiny busy kitchen. I'd probably try the noodles next time to see what they're like.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Fairly cheap, Dumplings are apparently made onsite, Very popular, Crispy base on the fried dumplings

CONS: Uncomfortable seating, Very limited table service, Prepare to waiting for a table when busy, Nightmare area for street parking, Need to walk down precarious stairs to toilet

WORTH TRYING: Fried dumplings

DAMAGE: $74 for five

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Lamb fried dumpling ($11.50 for 12 pieces)

Seafood fried dumpling ($14.50 for 12 pieces)

Vegetarian water boiled dumpling ($11.50 for 12 pieces)

Steamed Little Buns - ShangHai Xiao Long Bao ($9.50 for 8 pieces)

Shrimp steamed dumpling ($12.50 for 6 pieces)

Boiled green vegetable serve with black soy sauce and hot oil ($9.50)

Plastic holder picture menu listing ingredients used

Menu

Scary steep walk down the stairs through the tiny kitchen to get to the customer toilet, Bill $74 for five

Tiny seating area inside

Waiting for a table is not uncommon when busy


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The Departure Lounge: Mexico at Piano Room, Potts Point (9 June 2011)

1 Bayswater Road, Potts Point NSW 2011
http://www.pianoroom.com.au

Overseas without the jet lag

Thanks to Ms Darlinghurst from Eat Drink Play for inviting me along as a guest to the first week of The Departure Lounge ($15 pre-booked, $20 at the door). Mexico was in store for my group of four once we had our Boarding Passes — I like the attention to detail of the ticket design. Arriving early helps find a nice spot to set up possie. Two cocktails and a chef’s plate was included with the entry. The Hakka-san cocktail was apparently the Piano Room’s version of a margarita. Quite easy to drink and made from scratch so it’s not watered down, but still went quickly. Getting two cocktails is probably worth the $15 alone but you also get a small tasting plate. Other Mexican themed tasting plate dishes were available for $10 each prepared by Chef Sarah French. Each dish had its distinctive taste but some were a lot easier to eat and share than others. I preferred the Smoked chicken and caramelised onion quesadilla ($10) and the wonderfully crispy Bunuelos ($10). It’s probably preferable if the dishes can be eaten by hand rather than needing cutlery since most of the seating is quite laid back and lounge-like.

The Mexican band were a lively bunch that moved around the room although at first needed to compete with the Piano Room’s sound system playing different music which made it very noisy at times. The dancing lady fluttered her arms around like a butterfly in her colourful dress — although I could really work out if she had any other moves. The Departure Lounge hostesses were welcoming and attentive so you didn’t have to get out of your seat to get your cocktails at the bar. Probably a good thing since the bar staff weren’t particularly friendly as they concentrated on making the cocktails and didn’t seem very customer-focused. I reckon it’s best to remain seated and relax with your friends while the hostesses grab your orders. The Piano Room decor is quite lavish with nice mood lighting although I was half-expecting there to be some Mexican decorations around as well. Perhaps some large flags, blow-up cacti and sombreros would have helped create a more party-themed atmosphere, but then again the price of entry would probably be more too.

The Departure Lounge on Thursday
Week 1. Mexico 9th June

Week 2. Japan 16th June

Week 3. Greece 23rd June

Week 4. Zimbabwe 30th June

Week 5. Morocco 7th July

Week 6. France 14th July

Week 7. Old England 21st July

Week 8. Spain 28th July

Week 9. Vietnam 4th August

Week 10. Brazil 11th August

Other visits to The Piano Room:
• 9 June 2011 - The Departure Lounge - Mexico

• 12 August 2010 - Cheese Plate, Chicken Satay, Arancini, Anitpasto

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Entry includes two cocktails which is pretty good value, Nice décor, Live entertainment, Friendly hostesses, Extra tasting plates to choose from

CONS: Bar staff weren’t particularly friendly, Thursday could be considered a school night, There didn’t seem to be a drinks menu and cocktail menu doesn’t display prices, Extra drinks could be expensive, Hard to know what the tasting dishes might look and taste like

MUST TRY: Visiting on one of the other themed night

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Sonya Mefaddi from Fashion Palette and Ms Darlinghurst from Eat Drink Play

Flight crew hosts

My boarding pass for Mexico, includes 2 cocktails and Chef's Plate ($15 pre-booked, $20 at door)

Hakka-san cocktail

Chef's plate, avocado salsa with corn chips

Tequila chicken with mole ($10)

Pescado a la veracruzana ($10)

Spiced bean nachoes with guacamole, salsa and cheese ($10)

Smoked chicken and caramelised onion quesadilla ($10)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Bunuelos traditional fritter ($10)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Chef Sarah French

List of kitchen dishes to be prepared

Bartender making Hakka-san cocktail, apparently the Piano Rooms version of a Marguerita

A quiet drink between friends

Seating with a view down William Street

Bar area

Big pussycat

The Departure Lounge hostesses waiting for their cocktail drink orders

Cocktail menu — nice writing

Mexican live entertainment

Balcony smoking area with a view

Nice decor in the toilet

Below the famous Coke sign

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