April 2012
1 post
Where the bloody hell are we?
Hello there loyal Bon Vivants!
Some of you may be wondering where Danny and I have gotten to…
Without giving too much away, we feel you should know that there are some new and different things in store for us. More will be revealed in the not too distant future!
Exciting things are happening in both our lands and we look forward to sharing them with you all soon!
Thanks for the patience...
October 2011
1 post
9 tags
Freda's - Opening Night!
Becca Johnstone
Freda’s
109 Regent Street
Chippendale
Last Wednesday night saw fab new bar Freda’s officially open it’s doors for the first time. Danny and I were lucky enough to attend with a bunch of our mates to celebrate this auspicious occasion. Freda’s is the beloved baby of Simon Cancio, Marty Campaign and Ibrahim Kasif. The boys will be slinging high quality...
12 tags
Vine Press Tasting - By Farr, Lost Valley, Gosset
Becca Johnstone
As I wandered down Castlereagh Street a couple of weeks ago I was feeling particularly spritely. Was it the new Bettie Page dress I was sporting? Or perhaps the 4 or so ristretti I’d downed that afternoon? My eyes wandered to a group of, let’s call them ladies, so scantily clad it would have made Ke$ha consider covering up. With those raised hemlines I had figured out the reason...
September 2011
1 post
6 tags
Low302
Becca Johnstone
302 Crown Street
DARLINGHURST
302 Crown Street. Is it Surry Hills? Is it Darlinghurst? Who knows? Who cares! All one needs to know is that this is the home of the wicked Low302. I confess, Low302 lives in my mind in glorious infamy – there may have been a period a couple of years back where every Friday night either began or ended in this fine establishment. It’s your birthday?...
August 2011
3 posts
13 tags
Single Origin Roasters - Sideshow
Becca Johnstone
52-58 Reservoir Street
SURRY HILLS
As promised, this week in Bon Vivant land is all about part deux of our Single Origin Roasters 2-fer. Last week it was all about the Café and Chef Matt Rothman’s delicious winter menu, but now it’s time to bring it back to what first sparked my curiosity with this place: glorious, glorious coffee. I make no efforts to hide my straight up...
8 tags
Single Origin Roasters - Café
Becca Johnstone
60-64 Reservoir Street
SURRY HILLS
One of the perks of working in Surry Hills at the moment is the ability to step not far out our door and stumble upon ‘one of Sydney’s best’ – be it bars, restaurants, pubs, or in this instance, cafés. Single Origin Roasters is so much more than a café – for that reason this is a bit of a Bon Vivant 2-fer! This week I’ll be focusing on the café...
9 tags
Izakaya Fujiyama
Becca Johnstone
52 Waterloo Street
SURRY HILLS
If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook, you may have read some rather rapturous/semi-delirious messages last Wednesday night. Namely about my new boyfriend. We have, however, hit a small speed bump in our relationship. There’s no problem embroidering Becca on the matching his and hers bath towels, but Izakaya Fujiyama’s Steamed Pork Belly with...
July 2011
2 posts
9 tags
Brunch at 4143 at the James Barnes
Becca Johnstone
Building 9
2 Huntley Street
ALEXANDRIA (entry from 41-43 Bourke Road)
Based on my Deckhouse experience I know that when Miss Gourmet Rabbit says ‘come for brunch’ she really means ‘come for a Bacchanalian feast of wonder, don’t eat breakfast and wear stretchy pants.’ This was certainly advice I heeded when I joined some fellow food bloggers at Alexandria’s new gastro pub, 4143 at...
6 tags
Lat-Dior African Eatery.
Lat Dior African Eatery
Danny Ryan
150 Enmore Rd Enmore (just up from the Enmore theatre)
9957 4467
BYOB
$
I have been to Lat Dior twice in the past month and seeing how I haven’t written anything for The Bon Vivant for about the length of time (– Bad Danny) I thought I should share my experiences with you, the Bon Vivant’s loyal followers/readers/twitterers.
I am ecstatic about discovering...
June 2011
3 posts
11 tags
Winter Warmer: Lamb Shank Ragu with Black Pepper...
Becca Johnstone
It’s cold. VERY cold. Eat this and be warm.
I should probably say a little more than that, but that’s really the whole point of this recipe. For me this is such a Sunday lunch thing. It takes a bit of time, but really not much work. Slow cooking rocks, just put it on and let it do it’s thang. Fresh pappardelle is hands down my favourite pasta. It takes me back to my time in...
8 tags
Lotus Asian Restaurant
By Becca Johnstone
Lotus Asian Restaurant
393 Illawarra Road
Marrickville
When I see the words ‘Asian Restaurant’ or ‘pan-Asian’, I am immediately skeptical. What on earth is Asian food? I can’t think of a more diverse continent in terms of food, so I get a little worried when restaurants try to put it all on a single menu. I guess it comes down to that old...
8 tags
El Bulli: Cooking in Progress
Sydney Film Festival Screening - 12 June 2011
Directed by Gereon Wetzel
Becca Johnstone
It admittedly doesn’t take too much to boggle my tiny little mind, but I was amazed at how easily I fell, like Alice down the rabbit hole, into this entirely surreal, gastronomic world. I was lucky enough to be invited to this film on the weekend, and even though we experienced some rather...
May 2011
4 posts
7 tags
The Urban Cook - Mark Jensen
Becca Johnstone
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Mark Jensen’s (Red Lantern) new cookbook, The Urban Cook: Cooking and Eating for a Sustainable Future. Now to write objectively on this I must divulge two things: 1. I am a cookbook addict. FACT. So much so that at the World Chef Showcase book stall at Crave last year I managed to max my credit card in one fell swoop. 2. I...
7 tags
Mother’s Day High Tea
Danny Ryan
Champagne, cakes, sandwiches and scones, this year I decided to leave the books, service station flowers and gift vouchers well alone and decided to spoil my mum on Mother’s Day by treating her to High Tea. Now, I could have taken her into the city to have an afternoon of High tea at one of the city’s finest high tea establishments, but where is the fun in that? So instead of heading...
The Riverina: Worth a Shout
Becca Johnstone
These days when you mention Riverina wines, most people think of cheap, mass-produced, export tosh. Over half the wine produced in Griffith and it’s surrounds is sent abroad, with the remainder left to fight it out on the shelves with their oft preferred cousins from South Australia and beyond. Far too many consumers, be it in the wine industry or not, are very quick to dismiss...
8 tags
Whisky Tasting: Johnnie Walker Double Black
Danny Ryan
With the long weekend been and gone, The Bon Vivant has been using this time to have a look at various different things and what we can bring you our readers for these cold winter months. In particular I have been cooking up a storm in the kitchen working on various different soup recipes that we can bring you as the weather gets colder. Today, however, I am bringing you something that...
April 2011
4 posts
4 tags
Happy Easter from The Bon Vivant!
Becca Johnstone
Regardless of if you believe in/celebrate Easter or not, there’s one thing I know we all can rally behind: a mofo-ing long weekend. And an EXTRA long weekend at that! As a kid for me Easter was not just about eggs and bunnies (though to deny their presence would be a lie)… It was more often than not about spending time with my Ma and Grandma in the kitchen. Without...
11 tags
Dedes Desserts
Becca Johnstone
Dedes Restaurant
Sydney Rowing Club
613 Great North Road, Abbotsford
There are few phrases in the English language sweeter than ‘dessert degustation’ – literally. Following on from last week at Deckhouse, the great people at the Dedes Group had us back on Sunday afternoon for Dedes Desserts: a scrumptious dessert deg at Dedes Restaurant by pastry chef Jason Langthorne. Anyone who...
Morning Brunch
Winter is slowly closing in on us. I am now leaving work and it is dark. Not good. With all this colder weather about to hit us, I fear for my Saturday morning breakfast ritual. As always a big breakfast and a very large, strong coffee will always be a 5 star hangover cure for me, but with the cooler weather ahead I am thinking that I will probably start spending more time in bed rather than head...
8 tags
Social Media Brunch at Deckhouse Cafe
Becca Johnstone
Clarke Road
Woolwich Dock
I have no shame in admitting I’m a brunch kind of girl. So when Denea of Gourmet Rabbit invited me along to the Social Media Brunch at Deckhouse Café, I had no qualms in responding with a speedy ‘see you there!’
Sydney turned on the perfect Autumn morning as I made my way towards the water at Woolwich. The Deckhouse Restaurant and Café is certainly in a...
March 2011
9 posts
Chocolate Bars Part II
The best thing about last week’s article on the five best chocolate bars is that I have been given two more chocolate bars to try and now review. Life as a Bon Vivant is really tough at the moment. The two chocolate bars I was given to try are a Diam Bar and a Divaz. These were given to me by the lovely Anna Lee and Susie Vincent respectively in an attempt to expand my chocolate bar horizons. The...
10 tags
What is Australian food - Bush Tucker Pie?
By Becca Johnstone
It was only 6 months ago I sat in a food anthropology lecture and squirmed in my seat as the lecturer asked ‘what is Australian food?’ After some umms and aahs someone up the back piped up – ‘MEAT PIES.’ Everyone was thinking it. My lecturer was quick to rebut that they were a British staple – but given our country’s history, I must say a big ‘so what?’
It’s a prickly...
10 tags
The Top Five: Chocolate Bars.
Ever since my move into the Marrickville house, I have been able to take part in the tradition known as the Seleven (7-11) Run. Although it is more of a walk then run, the Seleven Run allows your late night cravings for chocolate to be truly satisfied. Over many of these runs debate has raged over which Chocolate Bars are the best. This is a debate that doesn’t just rage between my roommates and...
9 tags
Zeppole alla Mariana
Becca Johnstone
Have you picked up a copy of Gourmet Rabbit yet, featuring Becca? Hop on now if you haven’t! :D
I love My Kitchen Rules. That’s my dirty little secret for this week. I absolutely love it! It combines some of my favourite things: good food, self-inflicted public humiliation, Manu Feildel and bogans. Personally, I’m rooting for the gorgeously refreshing parody of Italian women,...
6 tags
Taste of Sydney Festival 2011
By Becca Johnstone.
***STOP PRESS*** As some of you may already know Becca has just had an article published in the amazing industry publication, Gourmet Rabbit. This gorgeous magazine hit the shelves this week, so what are you waiting for? Go grab one already! Gourmet Rabbit is an incredible magazine written by people in the food and wine industry, not just by the critics on the other side of...
7 tags
Elderton Masterclass
Held at Society Cellars Ultimo
Danny Ryan
I recently had the opportunity to attend a tasting of 8 Elderton Wines at The Society Cellars in Ultimo. Hosted by Cameron Ashmead we had the opportunity to go through 2 whites and 4 Reds including a 2002 Back vintage of the Command Shiraz. Elderton is a small family winery based in the Barossa Valley who has developed a fierce reputation for making...
10 tags
Heemskerk Coal River Valley Chardonnay 2008
Becca Johnstone
Before I jump in to this gorgeous, gorgeous wine we’d like to say a big congratulations to TRISH O’NEILL and DAVID VARVEL! These two lucky folk won our Mailing List competition and will be having tasty wines in their hot little hands SOON! If you didn’t get to enter in time but still want to join our mailing list that is A-OK. Send us an email at...
13 tags
Sydney Cellar Door 26-27th Feb
Danny Ryan
FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!! Have you entered our competition yet? Today is the last day to win the wine! Not sure what I’m talking about? Check here!
Today I just wanted to share some of my notes from the recent Sydney Cellar Door held as part of NSW Wine week. This is one of the main opportunities for NSW wine producers to show their wares to the drinking public. Everyone was taking part...
February 2011
7 posts
6 tags
Argyle Bazar by Miguel Maestre
By Becca Johnstone
Argyle Bazar
18 Argyle Street
The Rocks
It was a glorious Wednesday afternoon in February. The sun was out and Sydney seemed to be putting on a real show. A woman, her twin sister and her food blogging daughter stepped out of the Museum of Contemporary Art with two things on their minds: Annie Liebovitz and FOOD!
As we wandered slowly up Argyle Street, contemplating our...
Food and Wine Matching for Beginners - Part Four
FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!! Have you entered our competition yet? Not sure what I’m talking about? Check here!
This month Becca has an article in the Wine Society Member Magazine about the basics of food and wine matching. We thought we should expand on this a bit further! Today we are finishing up the food and wine series, but over the past few weeks Becca has been bringing you her best simple tips...
Sabbaba Newtown
Danny Ryan
Sabbaba
148 King St Newtown
(02) 9519 8084
A Bondi (and Bon Vivant favourite) has been transported to Newtown with success.
As you can see, the Sabbaba restaurant in Bondi Beach has long been a favourite of resident Bon Vivant Blogger Becca Johnstone and after a visit there myself earlier in the year, I can say that I have also been converted.
(For Becca’s Sabbaba Bondi Review...
Food and Wine Matching for Beginners - Part Three
FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!! Have you entered our competition yet? Not sure what I’m talking about? Check here!
This month Becca has an article in the Wine Society Member Magazine about the basics of food and wine matching. We thought we should expand on this a bit further! So for the next few Tuesdays, Becca will be bringing you her best simple tips on pairing wines with certain foods. It’s...
The Great Email Mailer List Competition
There are many great competitions in this world. The Olympics, The World Cup and Red Bull flugtag. Now the Bon Vivant has released a competition that rivals no other! Like other premier events across the year, The Bon Vivant, self appointed leaders in food, wine and wankerdom are looking for the best in Humanity to make up our email mailing list. Luckily we have a list of facebook fans, Twitter...
11 tags
Food and Wine Matching for Beginners - Part Two
This month Becca has an article in the Wine Society Member Magazine about the basics of food and wine matching. We thought we should expand on this a bit further! So for the next few Tuesdays, Becca will be bringing you her best simple tips on pairing wines with certain foods. It’s going to have a more summery approach, and we plan to do this again in winter. If you have any specific questions...
The Magical World of Pimms
Danny Ryan
The last week or so has been hot. After the moderate temperatures during December and January, February has really kicked it up a gear. This week therefore Danny has taken up the challenge of researching and reporting on a delicious beverage to coax people out of their air conditioned offices and into the sun with an ice cold beverage on hand.
I believe I have been successful. After...
January 2011
4 posts
14 tags
Food and Wine Matching for Beginners - Part One
This month Becca has an article in the Wine Society Member Magazine about the basics of food and wine matching. We thought we should expand on this a bit further! So for the next four Tuesdays, Becca will be bringing you her best simple tips on pairing wines with certain foods. It’s going to have a more summery approach, and we plan to do this again in winter. If you have any specific questions...
8 tags
Riesling Revisited
Danny Ryan
Last year we looked into one of my favourite varietals in Riesling. As you all can probably imagine Riesling is my default white wine. Now that summer has finally kicked in to gear with those beautiful long and hot days, I am finding it easier and easier to reach for a Riesling. It appears that others have been doing the same. Recently I have been bombarded with a significant level of...
12 tags
Australia Day Special Part II
Becca Johnstone
I love a sunburnt country… but not a burnt black snag! Like Danny, I’m a big Australia Day fan. You’re back at work just long enough to remember how much it blows being back at work, then poof! A tasty little public holiday to soak up some sun, have a few bevvies, in our house too, listen to the Hottest 100 and eat some yummy barbecued goods! And while a traditional Australia Day...
Australia Day Special Part I
Danny Ryan
Australia Day can’t come fast enough for this writer. After being back at work for a few weeks now after the Christmas/New Years break, I could really use a day off. The last three weeks of 9-5 have really taken it out of me. Now this year Australia Day falls on Wednesday, which while not optimal (Friday/Monday are clearly the best days for a public holiday to fall on) it does give...
13 tags
Madame Fling Flong
Level 1
169 King Street
Newtown
By Becca Johnstone
As soon as I walked in to Madame Fling Flong I knew this was a place that I was going to dig. First and foremost it was empty! Dylan Moran once said, “there’s nothing more enjoyable than an empty bar,” a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with I’m afraid. I must stress, it wasn’t empty because of anything lacking, more that we were the first people...
December 2010
5 posts
Merry Christmas from TBV.
To all our lovely readers out there is Cyberspace. Becca and I are signing off for 2010. We will be back next year with some more articles, more photos and less alcohol induced spelling and gramattical errors. Come check back with us in the New year we are looking at starting up again after a good 2-3 weeks off.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Danny and Becca
8 tags
Small Bar
48 Erskine Street
Sydney NSW 2000
By Becca Johnstone
Over summer Danny and I plan to bring you a few more bar reviews here on The Bon Vivant. The sun’s out, evenings are long, let’s all head to a tasty bar or four! I had heard a few rumbles of good things happening at Small Bar in the city, so when given a sunny afternoon and plans to catch up with my best friend, it seemed like the perfect...
All I Want for Christmas...
I was most disappointed after Becca won Scissor Paper Rock last week. This meant that she had the opportunity to write up an article on Gin and as such was forced (for research purposes) to try and review three delicious Gin based drinks.
Unfortunately I have had to suffer this week satisfying my mid week thirst into researching Champagne for the second part of my Christmas wish list. Now...
8 tags
An Ode to Gin
Gin, gin, gin. I LOVE gin. And while many of my male friends tut and snicker ‘you back on the old Mascara thinner Bec?’ when I order a G&T, I just can’t get enough of the stuff. Obviously the reputation gin has as a depressing drink isn’t unfounded. But I think the old Mother’s Ruin deserves some love – it’s a truly delicious spirit! I’ve always had a love for bitter and herbal flavours, so...
7 tags
It is the most wonderful time of the year..
You know as soon as Shopping Centres and department stores start playing this Andy Williams Christmas classic that the festive season is now upon us. This means that Office Christmas parties are beginning to spring up and soon Santa Claus will pop in for a visit. This means that there are a number of gifts that need to be purchased whether they be for work colleagues, secret santas, important...
November 2010
9 posts
11 tags
Chilled Corn Soup with Scallops and Prawns
Becca Johnstone
Running on from Danny’s article about the Seppelts Xavier’s Labyrinth wines last week, I sat down and thought about what I would eat with the my favourite of the wines: the Henty Chardonnay. What a wine! Even Danny raves about it – and that really is saying something. It’s just a great example of where Chardonnay is going in this country. Hooray! Back on point: I wanted something...
8 tags
Seppelt Xavier's Labyrinth Wines
Recently, Becca and I had the opportunity to attend a tasting for the three wines from Seppelt’s Xavier’s labyrinth range with former Seppelt winemaker Ian McKenzie. With Becca away in New Zealand for the week, The Bon Vivant will be skipping our usual Weekend Wine picks and I will be sharing my thoughts on what i thought were three excellent cooler climate style wines. The three wines...
15 tags
Cow, Pig, Rabbit at MUMU Grill
By Becca Johnstone
MUMU Grill
70-76 Alexander Street
Crows Nest
Cow, Pig, Rabbit. It sounds like the start of a Beatrix Potter tale, full of wilful optimism, polite adventures and probably a little girl named Fanny. Cow, Pig and Rabbit are probably the best of friends – in reality it turns out they are… on a plate at least! Last week Danny and I were lucky enough to attend the Cow, Pig, Rabbit...
11 tags
Fat Horses and Spy Valley Pinot Gris 2009
Fat Horses by Becca
An odd name for a dish, I know, but I’m afraid I don’t have a Thai translation! This recipe has come from an old book on my mother’s infinite shelf – a book on traditional Thai side dishes by Sue Ashworth. At a first glance it looks a bit tragic and 80’s, but on closer inspection has some very tasty and very authentic dishes in it. Fat Horses are delicious steamed and/or baked...
8 tags
Sort-Of Som Tam
This week brings a close to our Spring White/food match series! We’ve decided to go out with a bang and do a bit of a Pinot Gris and Thai food bounty. So I thought I’d start with one of my all time favourites: Som Tam.
Now this is by no means a traditional Som Tam, merely my version of it. Traditionally, the green papaya and carrots are pounded in the mortar and pestle as well, but I enjoy leaving...
