Minh 24 June 2009 Events, Modern Australian, Sydney, CBD 9 Comments  Print This Post  Email This Post

If there’s one thing that the Merivale group knows how to do, its how to put on a party! Neither the rain nor the GFC could keep the crowd away from the Merivale Winter Feasts Launch. The fact that the launch was open to the public and free of charge didn’t hurt matters either.

Having somehow managing to miss most of the previous Merivale events I was pretty excited when the launch fell on a night when I was available. We were graciously invited by Melissa from Merivale to come in 15 minutes before the general opening to the public, just enough time to rush around a grab shots of most of the plates. However, I managed to get myself so lost I ended up at the Ivy and doing a dash in the drizzle to make it over to Establishment with barely 5 minutes to spare.

Avocado, king crab and mint on lavosh

Tuscan beef stew and braised beef cheek tarts

Arriving at Establishment the majority of my fellow bloggers were already making the rounds snapping away and it became 10 minutes of camera, coat and bag juggling. The atmosphere for the chefs seemed just as frenzied as many of the stands were still plating their canapes as we rushed past each of the displays.

Gougeres - cheesy choux puffs

When the doors were opened I was rather glad to see that the crowds were staggered in, rather than all let in at once, despite the weather the crowds were still a crush once everyone was inside. The staff coped well with the demand with the canapes and alcohol flowing freely, though still balancing all my gear I decided to retreat to the side to take a breather and enjoy a glass of white.

By no means did I manage to grab a shot of every canape on offer during the night. My favourites would have to be the Snapper and Fennel soup offering by Ash Street Cellar (I was disappointed to find out that this soup isn’t part of their Winter Feasts menu) and the cheesy poux puffs!

Prosciutto San Daniele and grissini

White chocolate tartlettes

While battling the high ceiling and a flash that just wouldn’t co-operate I was more than a little surprised at the groups of slightly drunken women who would tap me on the shoulder and request photos. It was a novel experience, however I think I’m better at taking photos of things that don’t move! I’d post the photos here but I’m somehow don’t think would have expected to pop up on es&t of all places (that and they weren’t very good).

Our brave (or is that foolhardy) waiter

Finally tiring of my social photography I once again retreated to the side to join my fellow bloggers. I’m giving major props to this unknown waiter who must have been assigned to our side, as he kept coming back and back for more. Every time the plate came back with a new dish he was inevitably inundated with flashes from 5-6 cameras all the while trying to hold his pose. While somehow bemused at first he quickly saw the humour in the situation and was a good sport about it all.You rock random waiter!

One last look at the crush before we go

Despite the free flowing wine we managed to drag ourselves away to go support Billy at the opening of his first solo photography exhibition, The Red Balloon.  The exhibition runs until the 27th of June, so go check it out!

The Merivale Winter Feasts will be running over the next three months (until August 2009). Merivale will be offering lunches and dinners starting from $35, the menu offerings vary per restaurant and go from 1 to 3 courses including a glass of wine or a James Squire. Along with the menus, cocktail, sushi and master classes are also being held.