Taste of Sydney

words by alex robertson

As you walk through the gates at the Taste of Sydney Festival you will be greeted with so many delightful smells you won’t know which direction to head first. This temporary food and beverage paradise is a playground for all the industry gurus, the massive recent influx of social media foodies and just your everyday punters that really know nothing about good food but absolutely love eating.

The festival takes place over the course of the 4 days and whichever day you may choose, your taste buds will be treated to signature dishes from some of the restaurant world’s big wigs.

Here are a few standouts on the line-up that you must not miss.

Anason
Anason brings you the flavours of Istanbul with a modern twist. Recently winning the best new restaurant award by Restaurant & Catering Australia, there is no doubt this new member to Barangaroo has been making mouths water all over Sydney. The Lamb belly skewers and Charcoal octopus are my savoury picks and the Turkish mess with meringue rose cream, berries, figs and pistachios would have to be a winner for those sweet teeth.

Porteno
One of my Taste of Sydney favourites. Porteno is definitely not new to the line up like Anason is but there is a reason why these guys have been stars of the show for so long and that’s because their food is outrageously delicious. The Argentinian BBQ’s menu is extremely simple and on paper doesn’t look overly impressive but do not judge until you taste. The Steamed Corn and cheese tamale is a definite WIN from me and you can never go past their icon dish – The BBQ beef belly with crispy fried Brussel sprouts…. Drool!

Little nel. Sweet Shop
Because you can never have enough dessert right? Little nel. Sweet Shop is led by the great Jason Brown, head pastry chef of nel. restaurants. Taste the rainbow as Brown takes your taste buds on the sweetest of adventures. There is nothing on this menu I don’t want to sink my teeth into but if I had to choose one, it would have to be the Roasted white chocolate with banana and peanut butter ice cream.

OK! Now I’m hungry!

Taste of Sydney hits Centennial Parklands from March 9 – 12