“If you ask me, something sinister lurks in men who avoid wine . . . and dinnertime conversation. Such people are either gravely ill or secretly detest everyone around them.”
It was written by Russian novelist Mikhail Bulgakov in the 1920s. He had a point, some might think.
The Dockside Group, known for its slick waterfront events venues and restaurants in Sydney, understands that a gourmet meal without a glass of wine or two is a tragedy. Which is why it’s hosting a five-course degustation dinner at Sydney’s Italian Village restaurant (right at the harbour’s edge in The Rocks) on Wednesday June 25.
They’re pairing with the New South Wales Hunter Valley’s Margan Wines to present gourmet Australian cuisine matched with some of Margan’s best wines. Vigneron Andrew Margan (below), whose family first planted vines in the Hunter in the ‘60s, will share useful insights and his philosophy on winemaking. Here’s a sample of what guests can expect:
Half-shell scallop with pecorino and herb crumble, pork and duck roulette, Persian feta and eggplant involtini.
And those are just the canapés. To start there’s pressed pork, veal and chicken terrine with pickled vegetables, herb mayonnaise, served with a semillon. And confit ocean trout with avocado and wasabi mousse (chardonnay), and duck leg with cumin spiced lentil, roast root vegetable and jus (merlot and barbera). Sweets include “opulent opera slice,” gold leaf, vanilla macron, coffee anglaise, and chocolate shards, washed down with a botrytis semillon.
There’s room for 150 places only, and the all-in price is $130 a head. That’s great value for money for an incentive group, says Dockside Marketing Coordinator Christine Drivas.
“The dinner represents an exceptional-value night out with five courses prepared by our experienced chefs and paired with award-winning wines. It’ll also be educational and fun in fantastic surroundings.”
It’s the first time Dockside has put on a degustation dinner matched with local wines at Italian Village for the public, says Christine. “So it’s exciting for those who’ll have the opportunity to be there.”
AUD130 per person
Doors open at 7pm and dinner begins at 7.30. Tables are for 10 or 12 guests; for smaller reservations diners will be seated at communal tables.
For enquiries or bookings call 1300 115 116 or visit docksidegroup.com.au. Or to see more details and the menu, go here:
https://bookings.docksidegroup.com.au/events/degustation-dinner-at-italian-village.
