David Chang, the mastermind behind New York City’s famed Momofuku restaurant empire, is coming to Australia. New Yorkers clamour to secure a seat at Chang's Momofuku Ko eatery in the East Village, a 12-seat diner that takes reservations – without fear or favour – just six days in advance. We couldn’t let David Chang's Australian visit pass without him coming to Sydney. For one night only, Chang will join Merivale’s own Dan Hong in the kitchen at Lotus, where Hong will re-create six Momofuku dishes under Chang's supervision. Chang will also join guests at their table. In true Momofuku style, seating will be extremely limited. Guests will be able to enjoy David Chang's extraordinary way with food, hear him speak on his cooking philosophy and receive a signed copy of his book, 'Momofuku'. In keeping with David Chang's philosophy, everyone has an equal opportunity to book a maximum of four tickets for this one-off dining experience in Sydney. But you must register on Thursday, 18th March for your chance to be at this exclusive dinner.
Date: Thursday, 25th MarchCost: $200pp (excluding wine) + a signed copy of his book 'Momofuku'Lotus, 22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point, SydneyRegistrations will only be open for 24 hours from 9am Thursday, 18th March until 9am Friday, 19th March. Watch this space!
"One holds a bottle of red wine by the neck, a woman by the waist and a bottle of champagne by the derrière," Mark Twain once said. Merivale's award-winning sommelier Franck Moreau will be grabbing plenty of derrières as he pours champagne from multiple vintages and champagne houses. As guests sample the diverse range of champagne, the est. kitchen will send out complimentary taste sensations.
Wednesday 10th March, 6.30pm - 9.30pmCost: $120 includes champagne & canapésest. Level 1, 320 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Lotus chef Dan Hong will create a five-course signature degustation menu to match gorgeous sparklers. Discover your favourite flute of bubbles when the team from Chandon, the only Australian winery established by French champagne house Moët & Chandon, takes you on a journey through its wine portfolio.
Saturday 27th March, noonCost: $100, 5 courses including matched bubblyLotus, 22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point Bookings essential 9240 3000
Every Tuesday during March into Merivale, est., Lotus, Teppanyaki, Mad Cow, Ash Street Cellar, Uccello, sushi e and Bistro CBD will encourage diners to raid the restaurant wine cellars. Spend $100 or more per person on wine and enjoy a three-course meal on us. It's a chance to try all those beautiful wines you've dreamed about - while dining for nix. You must book for this event; walk-ins cannot take up the offer.
February 16, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (lunch and dinner)Cost: Spend $100pp or moreSelect Merivale restaurants Bookings essential 9240 3000
Linger over more than 80 wines from around Australia and the world, and chat with our award-winning sommelier, Franck Moreau. Buy your favourite drops at a discount price at this massive wine trade show in The Ivy Room. The event includes competitions, prizes and a celebrity judging panel.
Tuesday 30th March, 6pm - 9.30pmCost: $25The Ivy Room, 320 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
We're showcasing the country's most amazing cheeses together with specialty supplier, Australia on a Plate. Taste a wide selection of cheeses and tap into our sommeliers' advice about wines to suit each cheese.
Tuesday 23rd February, 6.30pmTuesday 9th March, 6.30pm Cost: $30 includes wine-tasting and cheese-samplingTank Stream Bar, Establishment, 1 Tankstream Way, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
est.'s Peter Doyle joins forces with Tapanappa Wines, a joint enterprise between Australia's Croser family, the Bollinger family and Cazes families of Chateau Lynch Bages in Bordeaux. Enjoy a stunning five-course dinner matched with spectacular wines, and meet legendary wine-maker Brian Croser.
Tuesday 23rd FebruaryCost: $230pp including winesest. Level 1, 252 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
For two nights only, Lotus head chef Dan Hong takes over Teppanyaki's kitchen to create an avant-garde Vietnamese-style dinner. Dan grew up helping his family run the famed Thanh Binh Vietnamese restaurants and will draw upon his heritage in creating some memorable dishes. The result will be a stunning meal showcasing modern Vietnamese gastronomy.
Tuesday 16th March, 7pmCost: 7 courses, $90 + wineTeppanyaki, Level 2, 330 George Street Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Every second Monday, you can sit around the sushi bar at sushi e and learn the secrets of making sushi from our famous sushi chef, Nobuyuki Ura. These hands-on classes are always among the first events to sell out, so be quick to book your spot in a class that includes dinner and a glass of wine.
Monday 22nd FebruaryMonday 8th, 22nd MarchAll classes start at 6.30pmCost: $90 includes dinner and a glass of winesushi e, level 4, 252 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
We like to call this one 'crackle and pop'. Bistro CBD head chef Simun Dragicevich will showcase his pork-roasting powers while we pop the corks on some amazing bottles of Shiraz. The combination is a taste sensation.
Thursday 4th March, 7pmCost: 2 courses, $50 + wineBistro CBD, Level 1, 52 King Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
It's the ultimate challenge for our Mad Cow chefs: to take an entire beast and transform the wildly different cuts into one daring nose-to-tail degustation dinner. Holy cow!
Wednesday 24th February, 6pmMultiple-course degustation plus sides, $80 + wineMad Cow, Level 1, 330 George Street Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Follow the trail of Mad Cow's meat before it arrives on your plate. This tour starts at Vic's Meat at Mascot, an exclusive wholesaler that opens to the public only twice a month, before heading to Victor Churchill Butchers in Woollahra for tastings. The tour finishes with lunch at Mad Cow. Limited availability.
Tuesday 16th March, noonCost: $150pp includes transportation to the butchery and a 3-course lunch including wineMeet at Mad Cow, Level 1, 320 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Are you the next 'Super Hero' chef? Merivale and Time Out magazine have joined forces to search for Australia's next superhero chef-in-the-making. Any apprentice chef working in a kitchen in Australia can enter. All you need to do is submit a description and photograph of one spectacular dish you would like to cook for 80 diners at Bistro CBD, a photograph of your dish and a one-page CV. A panel of experts from Merivale and Time Out will select five finalists to cook for 80 guests at Bistro CBD on March 17 (if you're from interstate, we will fly you to Sydney from your nearest capital city). An experienced Merivale chef will be with you throughout the evening to help channel your cooking superpowers into one perfect dish. At the end of the meal, the diners themselves will vote for their favourite dish and a winner will be announced. One truly masterful apprentice chef will score great exposure through a profile interview in the April issue of Time Out magazine, prime prizes from Merivale - and heaps of glory! You've got until February 15 to enter, so hurry. Email food@timeoutsydney.com.au with your hero recipe. Five apprentice chefs - you decide who's the best. In a cross between The Apprentice and MasterChef, these future superheroes of food will test their culinary superpowers by each cooking one course in a five-course tasting menu. You vote for your favourite dish, with the results published in the April issue of Time Out Sydney magazine. $60pp for 5 courses, plus a glass of bubbles on arrival
Date: Wednesday 17th March, 6.30pmBistro CBD, Level 1, 52 King Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000. Bookings for this event open on 25 Feb.
This Japanese concept involves diners simply trusting the chef to cook an amazingly delicious degustation menu. Three of Merivale's most inventive chefs - Nobuyuki Ura from sushi e, Akira Urata from Teppanyaki and Atsushi Saito from Sushi Choo - will team up to stage this omakase-style degustation dinner at Teppanyaki.
Tuesday 9th March, 7pmCost: $90 + wineTeppanyaki, Level 2, 330 George Street Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Ash Street Cellar is turning a shade of green just for one night. Chef Lauren Murdoch will use her herb-infused powers for good by calling on her favourite organic suppliers and the freshest produce for an amazing all-natural dinner served with optional matched organic wines.
Wednesday 31st March, 7pmCost: $70 + wineAsh Street Cellar, 1 Ash Street Bookings essential 9240 3000
The ultimate match-up: Lauren Murdoch and her mentor at Bennelong and MG Garage, the renowned Janni Kyritsis, unite in the kitchen once again. Together, mentor and protégée will design and cook one unforgettable dinner.
Wednesday 17th FebruaryCost: 4 courses, $120 + wineAsh Street Cellar, 1 Ash Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Singles looking for a new way to meet a mate can try this fun night out with a quirky Japanese twist. The evening starts with drinks, then take a seat and pass notes on the train to anyone who catches your eye. Maximum 85 people per session, co-hosted with RSVP.
Saturday 13th March, 7pm - 10pmCost: $50 includes sushi from the train including wine & beerSushi Choo, ivy, Ground floor, 320 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Raw dinners are the latest trend sweeping the culinary world. In a Merivale first, Lauren Murdoch, chef at the award-winning Ash Street Cellar, will prepare an all-raw four-course dinner that includes a glass of sparkling and Lauren's unique mix of herbs and natural ingredients.
Wednesday 7th AprilCost: 4 courses, $70 including a glass of sparklingAsh Street Cellar, 1 Ash Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
One thing South Americans know for sure is how to barbecue meat. Come and see Mad Cow turn it on South American-style. We'll also add a distinctive South American element to our wine list for the night.
Tuesday 2nd March, 6.30pmCost: $70 + wineMad Cow, Level 1, 320 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Discover the fine art of matching beer and food at this two-course dinner hosted by master brewer Chuck Hahn. Dr Hahn, currently the brewmaster at Camperdown's Malt Shovel Brewery, founded Hahn Brewery in 1988 and is a passionate advocate of complementing good food with great beer.
Tuesday 16th March, 7pmCost: 2 courses, $50 + matched beerBistro CBD, Level 1, 52 King Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
This one is for Sydney's flock of duck aficionados. Bistro CBD's award-winning head chef Simun Dragicevich presents a two-course duck dinner, matched perfectly with some of the finest Pinot Noir.
Thursday 8th April, 7pmCost: 2 courses, $50 + wineBistro CBD, Level 1, 52 King Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Merivale and Gourmet Traveller have joined forces to select six of the most talented emerging chefs from around Australia. We will put them to work cooking for 90 guests at est. Meet these rising stars and experience their cuisine at this six-course dinner with matched wines. All courses will be served with matched wine from rising stars of the Australian wine industry.
Monday 12th & Tuesday 13th April, 7pm - lateCost: $170pp 6 courses including wineest., Establishment, Level 1, 252 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Follow a tapas trail around ivy over the course of one evening. Buy your favourite Spanish-style snack from stations throughout ivy and wash them down with that old Spanish favourite, sangria. Ole!
Wednesday 10th March, 6pm onwardsCost: Price on consumptionLevel 1, 320 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
We call in the flamenco dancers and traditional musicians to add ambience to what should be a perfect gastronomic evening: Lauren Murdoch's irresistible take on Spanish tapas, served with matched wines from different regions.
Wednesday 3rd March, 6.30pmCost: $65 including a glass of sangriaAsh Street Cellar, 1 Ash Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
It's back by popular demand. Compare and contrast our mixologists' skills as you journey around four Merivale venues over the course of one evening. Collect a map and drink tokens from our host at Gin Garden inside Establishment, and enjoy canapés and a cocktail at every stop.
Wednesday 3rd, 10th, 24th 31st March, 6.30pmCost: $45 includes canapés and four cocktails or mocktails.Gin Garden - Establishment 252 George Street Sydney 2000 Bookings essential 9240 3000
Learn more about your favourite spirit (and those obscure juniper berries) at this gin masterclass. Discover the subtle differences between different gin varieties and learn how to mix great cocktails. This masterclass includes a trio of cocktails, tastings and canapés.
Wednesday 10th March, 6pmCost: $45pp includes 3 cocktailsGin Garden, Establishment, 252 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential 9240 3000
Last year, diners enjoyed Merivale's candlelit Earth Hour dinners so much that we're doing it all again. Join the millions of people who switch off their lights to help the planet by dining at your favourite Merivale restaurant.
Saturday 27th March, 8.30pm - 9.30pm Bookings essential 9240 3000
Enjoy a taste of Europe on Monday nights in February. Our Ash Street Monday Movies will honour a handful of the world's most notable directors. Each night, chef Lauren Murdoch will create tapas dishes which you can enjoy under the stars at our outdoor urban cinema experience like no other.
Monday 1st February - Rear WindowMonday 8th February - Pulp FictionMonday 15th February - Dr. Strange LoveMonday 22nd February - Vicki Christina Barcelona Monday Movies screen over the summer months. Ash Street Cellar, ivy, 1 Ash Street, Sydney. 6.30pm - the film starts after sunset.Cost: $35 includes the film, tapas and a glass of wine/ beer Bookings essential 9240 3000
Enjoy a taste of Europe on Monday nights in March. Our Ash Street Monday Movies season wraps up with some stunning cinematic offerings from Italy, Spain, France and Germany. Each night, chef Lauren Murdoch will create tapas that matches the film's origin - a delight for gourmets and movie-lovers alike, and an outdoor urban cinema experience like no other.
Monday 1st March - La Dolce VitaMonday 8th March - Tie Me Up Tie Me DownMonday 15th March - AmelieMonday 22nd March - The Lives of OthersMonday 29th March - Swimming Pool Monday Movies screen over the summer months. Ash Street Cellar, ivy, 1 Ash Street, Sydney. 6.30pm - the film starts after sunset.Cost: $35 includes the film, tapas and a glass of wine/ beer Bookings essential 9240 3000
Back by popular demand, you and 99 guests can dine under the stars in Ash Street. Dinner comes courtesy of our head chef of ivy functions and events, David O'Brien. David made his name as head chef for the London Olympic Committee, so a 99 seat long table, fine wine, plus food worthy of the Olympics would have to equal communal dining at its finest. There is also the chance you could score one of our special guests chefs.
Cost: $60 including wine (shared menu)*6.30pm - 10pm Nights of 17th, 24th, 25th February; 2nd, 4th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 30th, 31st March; 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th April.* No dietary requirements
On Thursdays, Slip Inn to our intimate courtyard for dinner under the stars. Our new head chef, Michelle Meskell, will be taking diners on a culinary journey around the world, starting with tapas in week one, Italian in week two, Middle Eastern in week three and finishing with a bang - a gourmet Aussie BBQ - in week four. No passport required.
Thursdays, March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th from 6pmCost: $33 includes a glass of wine/ beerSlip Inn, 111 Sussex Street, Sydney Bookings essential 8295 9999
In an ivy first, we're making a splash with three gorgeous candlelit dinners held poolside. While sitting under the stars, guests will enjoy a three-course meal created by our functions and events head chef and former head chef for the London Olympic Committee, David O'Brien*.
Tuesday 23rd February, 6.30pm - 10pmTuesday 9th March, 6.30pm - 10pmTuesday 23rd March, 6.30pm - 10pmCost: $90 including winePool Club, ivy, Level 4, 320 George Street, Sydney Bookings essential: 9240 3000 * One evening will feature surprise chefs.
Bring a pencil, pen and your artistic flair to any venue and leave a doodle on a festival serviette and you will be in the running to win an indulgent VIP weekend for two, including a stay at Establishment Hotel, welcome cocktails at Hemmesphere, dinner at est. and after-dinner drinks poolside at ivy. Vote for your favourite finalist on display in the ivy foyer.
February 15th - Pens down April 16.Cost: Free to enterView finalists' serviette designs in the ivy foyer, 320 George Street Sydney.
We will be launching a Twitter Competition from the 4th February. Tweet about what makes your mouth water from our March Into Merivale lineup. We'll reward the most creative entries daily with a March Into Merivale meal. Don’t forget to use #MIM2010 and to follow us at twitter.com/merivalechefs
Competition ends 14th April.