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From Escargots – Eclairs at Brasserie Ananas, Sydney
Bienvenue a Brasserie Ananas! First discovered in the Indies in 1493 by Columbus (who presented it to the Spanish Royal Court back in Europe) the rare and exotic pineapple fruit soon became associated with the return of ships from extended voyages. How fitting that this traditional symbol of warm welcome and caribbean style hospitality has now found its spiritual home on Sydney harbour within the historical Rocks precinct . Launched in September 2012, Brasserie Ananas (part of the Urban Purveyor Group which also includes Sake, The Cut and the eponymous Bavarian Bier Cafe outlets) is a glamorous gilt edged but laid back 1930s Parisian style brasserie with lots to offer…
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Celebrate Your Mum!
Joyeux Fete des Meres! Although festivals in honour of women’s fertility date all the day back to ancient Greece, did you know that France, the birthplace of Champagne, only celebrated its first Mothers Day in 1918, under the influence of the American GIs who had been stationed there during World War I? ‘Mothers Day’ became official in 1920, because at that time the government was focused on the re-population of post war France. In those days Mothers who gave birth to four or five children were awarded a bronze medal. For having six or seven children the mother would receive a silver medal, and eight or more offspring was rewarded with…
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The Madame’s Tea with Champagne Veuve Clicquot
From the outside you might construe this is just a Woolahara pub with a misspelt French name, but as soon as you cross the threshold of One Moncur the fabulous line up of champagne labels winking at you from behind the huge illuminated marble top mirrored bar makes it immediately obvious you’re not in Kansas anymore Toto – this is a Centennial park-side slice of champagne heaven (and yes they do cater for take-away picnics too). With 30 different champagnes on offer by the bottle (of which half dozen by the glass from grower to grande maison – $18 – $25) Sydney’s answer to New York’s Flute champagne speakeasy is certainly a…
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Champagne Lanson
Founded in 1760 by Reims magistrate Francois Delamotte, in 1837 one of Champagne’s oldest houses changed its name to “Lanson Pere et Fils” after Francois Delamotte’s son Nicolas Louis (Knight of the Order of Malta) joined forces with farmer’s son and passionate winemaker Jean-Baptiste Lanson and his two sons Victor-Marie and Henri also entered the business. When Nicolas-Louis Delamotte and his wife died the Lanson family gained full control of the company. From 1855 onwards under Victor-Marie’s leadership, Champagne Lanson increased its sales in continental Europe and in the all important British market – earning its first royal warrant from Queen Victoria in 1860. In 1919 Victor and Henri Lanson…
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Brisbane’s Royal High Tea w/ Champagne Moet & Chandon
“I am very glad to be back here in Queensland for my 16th visit to Australia,” said the Queen when she visited Brisbane and enjoyed High Tea and an overnight stay at 5 star riverside hotel The Stamford Plaza, which had been given this honour after being flooded and closed for months following the catastrophic 2011 Queensland floods. Celebrities from Muhammed Ali, Bono, Cher and Madonna through to Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga have also slept in the Sir Stamford Suite on the 32nd floor of this grand hotel. Queen Elizabeth’s Stamford High Tea Menu Served in the hotel lobby and accompanied by elegant strings music every Wednesday – Saturday…
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Channel 7 Oscars Viewing Party Champagne & Sparkling Guide
Celebrity Style Bubbles On Any Budget As Hollywood celebrities walk the red carpet for the 85th Academy Awards, Channel 7 The Morning Show hosts Larry & Kylie are treated to a walk-through selection of Best in Show Bubbles matched to easy at home food fit for any Oscars celebration by Jayne Powell (aka Champagne Jayne) 2012 Champagne Educator of the Year, award-winning author and real life Champagne Dame (Dame Chevalier). From left to right Bay of Fires Tasmanian Cuvee (note: #notachampagnewine ), Champagne Paul Bara, Arras Grand Vintage Tasmania (note: #notachampagnewine ), Champagne Dom Perignon, Champagne Armand de Brignac Wine No 1: Bay of Fires Tasmanian Cuvee Rose (AU$25)…
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Moet Oscars Cocktail Recipe
Often referred to as the champagne of Hollywood (Since the 1930s Moet & Chandon has supported hundreds of movies ranging from classics like Luis Bunuel’s ‘The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie’, Pretty Woman, and Titanic through to Ocean’s 12 and Sex and the City 2) in 2012 Moet launched its first Oscars cocktail competition to celebrate its fourth anniversary as Oscars official champagne sponsor. Participants submitted entries and cast votes through the Moet & Chandon USA Facebook page, http://oscarcontest.moet.com, and a specially developed QR code was created for mobile users. The winning cocktail was chosen for its modern combination of flavours which served to highlight the Moet & Chandon Imperial…
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Sydney’s Secret Garden with Moet & Chandon
I’ve always been a big fan of escapist epicurean experiences. At the end of a hard week there is something quite liberating about stepping out of city mode and straight into the magical wonderland of Mistress Mary Afternoon Tea, courtesy of the fun-loving folk at Hilton Sydney’s award-winning Zeta Bar (named one of Best 50 bars in the world by Drinks International Magazine in 2010). Every Friday from 15 February starting at 6pm, Zeta’s outdoor terrace will be fancifully transformed into a magical Secret Garden, complete with manicured lawns and cool outdoor furniture – where you can indulge in sweet and savoury treats while listening to cool jazz as you…
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Food For Love On Valentines Day
Twitter is a wonderful source of interesting infographics like this Valentine’s Day themed food post I spotted this morning. Everyone in the restaurant industry is no doubt relieved that Valentine’s Day falls on a school night (in 2013 its Thursday which means takings will be up for 3 days this week instead of the usual Friday and Saturday night only till binge). Personally I’m delighted to report that Australia’s thirst for champagne continues to grow unabated (for more information on this thirsty trend see my Jan 2013 article in The Drinks Business) and to hear that champagne sales jump 40% in Valentine’s Day week. But lets not forget our locally…
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Pleasure Beyond Measure – Krug’s Seasonal Menu at Murano
A once in a lifetime chance to dine with living legends Olivier Krug and Angela Hartnett has to be the foodie equivalent of winning tickets to the VIP private party at the Superbowl. Due to technical issues with London Transport it took a car, a bus, two tube trains and finally a taxi to get me to the restaurant on time, but as soon as I pushed the discreet glass door to enter this oasis of calm, I literally melted into a world of taste sensations where time suddenly stood still. There is nothing quite like a Michelin starred chef opening her own front door and welcoming you with a…
with Champagne Jayne