Dining and drinking – The Branksome

May 13, 2019Leave a comment

The Branksome Hotel, only only 1km from the airport is a great hotel for travellers, families and corporates alike. See our blog here for more details.

If you’re staying here, chances are you’ll need to eat and drink – you do that all here too. You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant, alfresco or order room service if you’d prefer to stay in. They’ve also got a huge rooftop bar where you can go for a few bites to eat and a drink or two.

Restaurant

Th Branksome has a restaurant and bar onsite, “Nate’s: east meets west dining” where we had both the buffet breakfast and dinner here.

The decor is bistro style with marbled tables and some Art Deco influences furniture.

The buffet offered cold and hot options; from fruit, cereal and cold deli items to western hot breakfast options such as scrambled eggs and sausages. You can also make pancakes and try a few baked goodies.

There’s a huge variety of loose leaf tea, coffee and juices to accompany your meal.

For dinner, we tried the new menu. The name of the restaurant is apt, since there are both eastern and western options. The food is quality and nicely presented. We shared three dishes including a Riverina Sirloin steak, Cooked to order and nicely seasoned. It came with a lovely jus and presented with julienne carrots and toast and sweet potatoes. This was a decent portion.

The quail was also a great choice, the tender meat was also flavoured superbly and served with similar sides to the steak.

Miso cod is also a favourite and the one here is particularly good, served with Hainanese rice and edamame beans. We really enjoyed this fish and it’s delicious glaze.

We were pretty full by this stage, but dessert wise, the sticky date pudding or deconstructed cheesecake would be our pick.

They have a good range of drinks on offer st the bar, including craft beer on tap, an extensive wine list and cocktails. The drinks are well priced and there’s also an early weekend happy hour.

Rooftop bar

They also have a lovely rooftop bar and outdoor terrace, perfect for an afternoon drink and you can also order food up there. Catch a glimpse of the amazing sunset with an unobstructed view stretching from the airport to the city skyline.

We enjoyed a networking event, which they have time to time, with heaps of food, drinks and live music.

The space is large, so it could certainly host a number of events from parties to weddings or even fashion shows; it has a cool little stone walkway and plenty of tables and lounges to relax.

The Branksome Hotel & Residences

60 Robey Street

Mascot, NSW 202

Specialty Coffee @ Comoros Coffee, Mascot

January 15, 2019January 15, 2019Leave a comment

Mascot have plenty of coffee shops and cafes and so when I saw yet another one was opening, I was extremely confused by this as a business decision. Especially when Comoros opened next door to another café. However, I was pleasantly surprised when this coffee shop opened as it is probably one of the only speciality coffee shops in Mascot selling quality coffee.

Just off the main strip in Mascot, Comoros occupies a small space, not yet air-conditioned, but it’s not really that in need of one. A couple of stools at the window and a bench seat with a few tables if you wish to dine in. Minimalist décor, a couple of plants and coffee related equipment for sale. The place is only small and probably suits a high volume of take away orders.

It’s not designed as an eat in café, but you can if you are up for a pastry. There’s Smoking Gun Bagels with your choice of spread or ‘smears’. From 11:30 after the morning coffee rush, you can grab a topped bagel such as a pastrami, pickles, mustard and Swiss cheese bagel.

Coffee wise they’re using Seven Miles Coffee Roasters, and a range of other boutique beans are for sale. Sparkling water is given with your coffee.

You can also get filter coffee, cold brew, nitro cold brew or an iced coffee. I’m quite a fan of the iced coffee here. Didn’t need a sugar in it (which I often do) so it’s a sign of a good coffee.

Service is efficient, staff seem pretty quiet and a little hipster and the place will be popular with coffee goers after a good brew.

Shop 4, 1 Robey St, Mascot

Hipster vibes @Mr Liquor’s Dirty Italian Disco

November 4, 2017November 5, 2017Leave a comment

The Merivale group have a long list of quality hospitality venues including some great bars and restaurants. The Merivale Group has been expanding into the suburbs of late and purchased the “Tenno” Tennyson Hotel in Mascot. This is your typical local pub, with many regulars having beers and watching the footy. However, make your way out the back and find the previously occupied drive through bottle shop, which Merivale have turned into a cool restaurant/ bar called Mr Liquor’s Dirty Italian Disco. The set up inside is the same, however there is a fresh hipster paint job, disco balls, some cool 90’s hip hop tunes and a bar where the old service counter used to be.

There is a fun vibe to this place the wait staff are friendly, helpful and fit the hipster vibe. The beer fridges are still there and are self service and reasonably priced. Pick your drink, take it to the counter where they add it to your tab and mark it off and you’re ready to drink. The walk in refrigerator which once stocked cartons of beer remains and is now a walk in wine fridge which is an additional element of cool, literally. Grab a ski jacked from the wall hooks if you need one. There is also a creative cocktail list with some interesting and tasty concoctions.

The food is rustic Italian fare, which is in contrast to the fit out, but it is quality food and it totally works. The meatloaf was a tasty starter, served with peppers and pickles. A classic pasta dish we shared was the gnoccheti, shell type pasta with some beautifully braised lamb, some crispy rosemary which added texture and a flavour that we love.

We thoroughly enjoyed the glazed porchetta and scallion, which was deliciously sweet and smokey. We topped this off with a robust side of the polenta, with corn and chervil.

Whoever would have thought an old drive through bottle shop in Mascot would work as a location for a restaurant. A great addition in an area not spoilt for choice. It is a little pricy for the area, but totally worth it for the one of the more fun dining experiences on offer in Sydney at the moment. We understand it is a pop up so get in there soon!

Hotel and Argentinian BBQ @La Boca @The Stamford Plaza(Sydney Airport)

July 10, 2017July 14, 2017Leave a comment

La Boca bar and grill Argentinan restaurant is an impressive hotel restaurant, a little different from the norm. La Boca is at the base of the Stamford Hotel and only a stones throw from Kingsford Smith Airport Sydney. occupying a huge space with centrepiece being the fire pit (the Asador). The Asador, not only a spectacle, it is what La Boca use to cook their meat. Argentina being famous for their meat, La Boca impressively cooking whole carcuses traditionally over flame on the Asador. The bits that aren’t served are utilised in stocks.

Being in a hotel there is a strong focus on hospitality. The staff were very well drilled and accomodating. As to be expected being an Argentinian style grill, there are plenty of quality meat options on the menu. The burgers are huge and tasty if you are after a casual meal and a beverage or two from the bar. The are a number of smaller options if you are after a light meal or a starter. La Boca also had a reasonably priced kids menu with games and stuff for them to colour in.

We decided on the three courses for $75. The drinks menu having a good range of Argentinan wine, in particular Malbec, which we love. What better way to start a meal at an Argentinian restaurant, than with a nice glass of Malbec.

The usual option to start is the empanadas which are quite nice to as a starter. This time we decided to try the menu’s newer option being the pumpkin gnocchi and the zucchini flowers. Sharing both options, we were a little thrown by the artichoke in zucchini flowers which had a strong flavour being pickled. We enjoyed the pumpkin gnocchi which had plenty of plavour with a mix of bread crumb herbs, thyme, pine nuts, mushrroms and parmesan pangritata.

This is an Argentinian BBQ ultimately we were here for the meat. The mixed grill being a favourite and called for a return. Cooked on the Asador, this dish is a trio of succulent meat being beef, suckling lamb and suckling pig slow cooked over an open flame. Who doesn’t like crackling and this meal had a couple of different versions and it was delicious. The meat itself was tasty enough to eat without condiments. However the meal came with a tasty chimichurri, which further enhanced the flavour. The mixed grill served with a potato, I assume cooked over the asador.

We also tried the eye fillet steak cooked on the parilla grill. With meat being the star at this restaurant, quality cuts are used with the asador providing plenty of flavour.

Finishing on a sweet note the strawberry pillow was a nicely presented strawberry mousse. But it is pretty hard to go past a choclate raspberry fondand, just oozing decadence!

If you like meat and BBQ, you should check this place out. We love the Argentian options on the menu, the mix grill being a favourite. A great spot for dining if you are staying near the airport or if you enjoy your BBQ. Thanks to La Boca and the Stamford for inviting us to return to the La Boca and the Asador.

https://sydney.laboca.com.au/

http://m.stamford.com.au/ssa

A hotel serving a homely meal

January 8, 2017January 8, 20171 Comment

When you think of the Ibis brand, you think of the Hotel Chain, right? Now, keep it in your mind as a restaurant choice too. With the recent Summer Menu launched, you can visit Ibis Kitchen, Mascot for an affordable dinner that comes bursting with flavor, beautifully plated and food that will certainly leave your stomach feeling completely satisfied.

The menu has a home cooked feel to it and the meals come out nicely presented. The chefs certainly love their work and take great pride in creating dishes to please their guests. The place was full of people having Christmas parties, a dinner with their colleagues and families enjoying a meal together. It really suits many people.

We were invited here to sample the Summer Menu and begun with a few drinks to whet the appetite. For myself, I had the mojito – great to have when socializing with friends, but you can also choose from a wide selection of cocktails, wines and beers and some crazy shakes.

Canapes accompanied this, a shared bruschetta plate and prawn cocktail skewers were flavoured with lime and chili, pressed into a huge slice of watermelon. Combined with my mojito, it was a refreshing start to the evening.

Following this we were seated to enjoy a meal which began with sliders, a smaller version of their popular ‘Ibis Standard Boomer Burger’; meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese, beetroot and pickles on a sesame seed bun. Really enjoyed these. One of the other lovely canapes was the squid with napolitana sauce.

The lamb kofta: soft inside and nicely chargrilled spiced lamb, beautifully flavoured with mint, yoghurt, zucchini, sumac and pickle, this is great as an entrée to share with a group or as a party snack.

Then on to substantial meals for suited for sharing. the Riverina rib eye, grilled and set atop crisp chargrilled vegetables and potatoes, so colourful and drizzled with a salsa verde.

The Thai beef salad, like that mountain one wants to climb, it was towering with green papaya, Asian Greens, julienne vegetables, a great combination of flavours, topped with marinated beef strips at the peak.

When one thinks that they are full, there’s always that other stomach that exists. It is called the dessert stomach. I’m pretty sure we all have one. I’m glad mine was there, particularly for their crème brulee – a soft custard (vanilla beans visible, so I knew it was going to be good), and the sugar layer cracked just as it should.

With this, came the “shimmy shakes”, and may I say that you should shimmy right in and get yourself one of these beauties. They are the Mickey Mouse to a child at Disneyland. A glass jar filled with chocolate or caramel shakes, topped with half of the lolly jar (pretzels, marshmallows, popcorn, waffles, sauce and cream). Wow. Kids and adults alike will love this one.

A menu suitable for any guest. Stay in the hotel, or pop on in for a meal and you won’t be disappointed.
Although we didn’t stay, we did look at the rooms and had a chance to see the new refurb that has taken place. This hotel caters for travelers and business guests alike. Ibis is the most popular and recognized brand of their hotel group – it is clean, comfortable and appropriate for families. Being close to the airport, and affordable, it is an easy choice.
Thanks to Travel with Raf and Ibis Hotels for the invitation.

http://www.ibissydneyairport.com.au/en/dining-in-sydney.html

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Tag: mascot

Dining and drinking – The Branksome

Specialty Coffee @ Comoros Coffee, Mascot

Hipster vibes @Mr Liquor’s Dirty Italian Disco

Hotel and Argentinian BBQ @La Boca @The Stamford Plaza(Sydney Airport)

A hotel serving a homely meal