Tagged: Seafood

Summer lovin’ with sensational seafood

Posted on December 15, 2018 by - News & Reviews

Summer is officially here, and in the harbour city that means one very important item is the order of the day…seafood.

At George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill we relish the opportunity to serve up some of Sydney’s finest available seafood, enhancing its natural flavour with a distinctly Mediterranean twist.

Here’s an insight into what seafood is currently in season and on the menu at George’s Darling Harbour

Prawns

The Australian summer is synonymous with a steady supply of prawns and this year promises to be no different. In NSW, prawn season broadly runs from November until March, resulting in a succulent array of fresh, locally caught prawns.

Chef’s suggestion

King Prawns Saganaki baked in a clay pot, with tomato and feta. For a mezze option, we serve king prawns wrapped in kataifi pastry, with a tasty dill aioli.

Mussels

Mussels are available all year-round courtesy of Australia’s thriving aquaculture industry. At the moment they’re also in season in South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland.

Chef’s suggestion

At George’s we don’t like to mess too much with perfection, so serve our mussels steamed with a touch of garlic and saffron or accompanied with pasta in a cream and white wine sauce.

Octopus, Squid and Calamari

Octopus, New Zealand Arrow Squid and Southern Calamari are all in season right now and readily available in NSW and beyond, meaning molluscs are definitely on the menu.

Chef’s suggestion

We love to showcase octopus, squid and calamari as part of our shared mezze menu, offering deep fried squid with zucchini fritters, aioli and lemon; marinated octopus salad with cucumber, fennel, and radish; or stuffed calamari with spinach, mussels, and saffron rice as just some of the delights on offer.

Fish

Throughout the year, the waters off Sydney serve up a sensational array of fresh fish, with snapper among the fish that are in ready supply right now.

Chef’s suggestion

We offer market fresh fish that the chef selects as one of our perennially popular mains, served with your choice of house made chips and anchovy mayo, or broccolini and Dutch carrots.

Meanwhile, grilled whole baby snapper is a staple, served with steamed broccolini and lemon.

Seafood by the water

Our Darling Harbour waterfront location means we don’t just serve seafood, we live and breathe it, infusing all our seafood meals with a distinctly Greek influence.

Of all the culture and tradition that unites Australia and Greece, a shared love of seafood is one that truly stands out.

Seafood in Greek culture dates back centuries due to the lengthy coastline this small nation boasts. From sardines to calamari, bass, bream and lobster, seafood has featured heavily in this Mediterranean diet, with a host of traditional recipes derived from Greek culture.

About George’s

Located on the King Street Wharf amidst the beauty and excitement of Darling Harbour, George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill is renowned as one of Sydney’s premier eateries. Come share the Greek hospitality for which we are renowned as we serve up harbourside dining in simply stunning surrounds.

You can learn more about our function facilities here, or contact us directly for further advice.

10 Reasons to love Sydney in winter

Posted on May 31, 2018 by - News & Reviews

Sydney might be renowned for endless summers by the beach, but winter allows you to see this picturesque city in a whole new light.

With crisp, clear days, the harbour takes on a true shimmer, the beaches are less crowded, and the food and fashion both transform to offer a comforting, yet cultured winter feel.

If that’s not enough to see you embrace the chill of winter in this vibrant city, here are 10 further reasons to love Sydney in winter.

The Harbour

Sydney Harbour is spectacular at any time of year, but in winter it glitters with allure under a mellowed sun. Winter is also the season when whales are welcomed to the city and there are a host of whale watching tours available from Darling Harbour that allow you to witness the wonder of whales in their natural surrounds.

Indoor activities

As the temperature cools, indoor activities heat up throughout the city. From the aquarium to the maritime museum or theatre, there’s no shortage of indoor events to keep tourists and locals entertained.

Sensational seafood

Winter serves up simply sensational Sydney seafood. In fact, this is the season when seafood is at its most abundant and the greatest range is in supply. From prawns to salmon and mussels, it’s all available and incredibly fresh. As seafood is one of our specialties, you can see our seafood menu to enjoy a taste of what’s on offer.

Long lunches

Winter is officially the season of the long lunch in Sydney as office workers, residents and tourists make the most of the warming midday sun to enjoy an outdoor meal. At Georges that lunch is set against the beautiful backdrop of the harbor and features hearty fare, mezze and seafood, all designed as the perfect accompaniment to a chilled Sydney day.

Rugging up

Winter offers the welcome opportunity to rug up in a city usually renowned for its summer style. Coats are in fashion, scarves in vogue and the style of Sydney evolves to embrace a more European and chic feel.

Beautiful beaches

The waters might only be warm enough for the exceptionally brace to swim, but the beauty of the beaches is perhaps even more striking on a crisp winter’s day. This is the time of year when the ocean is at its most powerful, the colour is at its most vibrant and the crowds are few and far between.

Welcoming walks

The average daily maximum of Sydney during winter is around 18 or 19 degrees, which is the perfect temperature to explore the city or its many national parks on foot. Enjoy a stroll from the Rocks to Darling Harbour and take in Barangaroo, or embrace nature and witness the spectacular beauty of South Head.

Less crowded

Sydney is just that little bit less crowded throughout winter, with many tourists choosing summer to visit this iconic city. That makes the cooler months the perfect time to enjoy unrestricted access to all the city’s beauty and sights.

Shimmering nights

The sunset falls around 5pm in winter, allowing an earlier evening glimpse into the majestic beauty of the city at night. Once the lights come on, this is a city transformed. The Harbour Bridge and Opera House are among the iconic Sydney landmarks that take on a whole new beauty in the evening. The Opera House now also features a lighting display on its sails each evening from sunset until 7pm.

Hearty meals

The cooler days and the chilled nights bring out the finest in winter food and fare. This is the time of year to enjoy a hearty meal, great coffee and fine wine. Think lamb, sirloin or pork to warm the heart and soul of a chilled winter’s eve. You can see our menu here for a little winter dining inspiration.

About George’s

Located on the King Street Wharf amidst the beauty and excitement of Darling Harbour, George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill is renowned as one of Sydney’s premier eateries. Come share the Greek hospitality for which we are renowned as we serve up harbourside dining in simply stunning surrounds.

You can learn more about our function facilities here, or contact us directly for further advice.

Weekend socialising – George’s style

Posted on October 15, 2017 by - News & Reviews

The coming weeks are among the busiest on the annual social calendar as daylight savings, Melbourne Cup then Christmas sees people seek out the opportunity to catch up with friends in the lead-up to the summer holidays and Weekend socialising.

It’s the time of year when after-work drinks, lunches, brunches and sunset dinners quickly fill any Sydney-sider’s already busy schedule.

If you’re looking to cram some festive catch-ups into the coming months, here’s a guide to packing some serious social punch into a spring or summer weekend…

Friday night

Pens down people, work’s out for the weekend, bringing with it the opportunity to catch up with friends for a casual after-work drink. You’re looking for somewhere central, yet ambient, where busy professionals can meet up for a quick recap of the week that was, or the transformative year that has been.

Friday suggestion

Join us for drinks by the harbour courtesy of our week-day happy hour. From 3pm to 7pm we’ll treat you to a stylish afternoon or evening of affordable wine, beer and some seriously irresistible cocktails.

You can kick back in our al fresco lounge and watching the passing parade as Sydney transforms from work-week caterpillar to social butterfly.

Saturday brunch

Nothing says it’s the weekend quite like a decadent breakfast in well-catered surrounds.

Weekend breakfasts are the chance to embrace a less formal setting and kick off hard-earned relaxation on just the right social note. Breakfasts or brunches are also a great way to meet up with friends and family who may work late during the week or have young families.

Breakfast suggestion

Every weekend and public holiday we lay out a breakfast bonanza featuring a choice of Eggs Benedict, omelettes, smoothies, pancakes and more. Timed to cater to the early breakfast hankerings or a leisurely brunch, breakfast is served from 8am until 11am.

The group dinner

With so many fixtures coming up on the annual calendar, now is the perfect time to invite your friends for a big Saturday dinner enjoyed with your favourite company. Whether it’s a large or small group, book a table, hit Darling Harbour and settle in for an evening of great conversation and equally fine fare.

Dinner suggestion

A banquet is always a great way to break down any social barriers while sampling all the tasty morsels available on our authentic Greek menu. You can opt for a Mezze banquet or sample the succulent delights of our full Greek feast.

Sunday lunch

After a well-earned sleep-in, Sunday is the day to bring family into the socialising fold. Why not schedule a catch-up well in advance of the Christmas rush, setting a festive tone for the season ahead? Whether it’s a table of four or a full family get-together, enjoy a leisurely lunch spent amongst those you love.

Sunday suggestion

Make it a Sunday seafood sensation with market fresh fish and a host of tasty delights like shrimp, calamari, and prawns. You can peruse our menu here for items that are sure to whet the appetite.

Afternoon recovery

And after a busy weekend wining, dining and catching up with everyone on your list, kick back in casual style overlooking the water on a dreamy Sunday afternoon. We’ll pamper you while you reminisce over the weekend that was, while plying you with shared plates, fantastic service, and authentic Mediterranean flavours.

About George’s

Located on the King Street Wharf amidst the beauty and excitement of Darling Harbour, George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill is renowned as one of Sydney’s premier eateries and Weekend socialising. Come share the family hospitality for which we are renowned as we serve up a weekend of endless social activity in simply stunning surrounds.

And don’t forget, if you’re looking to really kick off the festive season with a full-scale function or office party, we’re always available to assist.

 

Australia and Greece – A shared love of seafood

Posted on September 14, 2017 by - News & Reviews, Uncategorized

Of all the culture and tradition that unites Australia and Greece, one enduring passion stands out – the shared love of seafood.

Like Australia, the waters of Greece have long abounded with fresh sea fare and for centuries it’s been a staple of the Greek diet.

So let’s take a dive into the salt waters of seafood and investigate the shared culinary favourite that unites our sea loving nations.

Seafood in Greece

Seafood in Greek culture dates back centuries due to the lengthy coastline this small nation boasts. From  sardines to calamari, bass, bream and lobster, seafood has featured heavily in this Mediterranean diet, with a host of traditional recipes derived from Greek culture.

The love of seafood is part tradition and part convenience with historians noting fish was readily available.

Cooks Info explains:  “Greece just doesn’t have good pasture land for livestock, so meat was scarce. The Greeks loved fish, but low on the scale of their likes, and thus cheapest, were small fish such as anchovies and sprats”.

“Tuna, sea bass, grey and red mullet, grouper, were esteemed and expensive. They particularly loved eel; it could cost at least 12 drachmas (a small sheep might cost 10 drachmas.)

“Fish was easier to serve than meat, because to serve meat you first had to arrange to sacrifice it, and with fish you didn’t. The first tuna caught in a good year, though, would be offered to Poseidon.”

Where once there was an abundance of fresh fish and seafood readily available in Greece, now however seafood is increasingly rare and expensive due to the overfishing and demand on the waters of the Aegean.

Influence on Australia

Australian mainstays like fried calamari may well owe much of their popularity to Greek immigrants, but according to legend even the ever-popular barramundi was introduced to dining menus across the nation by Greeks.

Neos Kosmos explains historians Leonard Janiszewski and Effy Alexakis were conducting research for Macquarie University when they uncovered the following interesting tale: it was Greek immigrants who entered the marine and wharf labour avenues and introduced barramundi fish into the Australian market.

It came at a time when many Greek immigrants were plying their fishing kills in the waters around Australia, including forging links with the indigenous community who had long eaten this native fish.

“Barramundi fish was a main food source for Australia’s first peoples but at the time, Anglo Australians were far from interested in consuming it due to its muddy taste and difficulty to catch,” Neo Kosmos notes.

“For the Greeks, however, barramundi is just a seabass variation and super close to a fish extremely popular in the Greek cuisine, the platypsaro.”

After World War II economic opportunity beckoned and it was a Greek family who first sold barramundi to the southern market and ultimately ensured it was on the plates of athletes at the 1956 Olympics.

A love affair with barramundi began and it’s diminished little in the years that followed.

Contemporary seafood

George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill continues this passion for seafood at our waterfront restaurant in Darling Harbour. We showcase some of Australia’s finest sea fare, using traditional Greek cooking techniques to highlight the fresh flavours on offer. Whether you seek prawns, baby snapper, or octopus, our love of seafood is yours to share.

George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill is located on Kings Wharf at Darling Harbour, Sydney. Feel free to peruse our menu, discover our seafood or contact us to make a booking.