Best Places To Arrange Your Next Functions And catering Services

 

Are you planning the event of the year but don't know where you want to host it. Your possibilities are endless when it comes to where to host an event so don't limit yourself. 

Here Are Some Ideas To Get Your Creative Juices Flowing.

Banquet Hall For Functions and Catering Services

Our first suggestion would be a banquet hall. One of the most commonly used venues banquet halls offers the freedom of much personal creativity. The average banquet hall's ambiance is usually pretty simple and plain requiring some imagination on your part to make it your own. Consider it a blank canvas that you can use to create your own stylistic masterpiece. The good thing is they are typically cost-efficient and offer some pretty hassle-free wedding packages and top-notch functions and catering services across Darlinghurst and Rushcutters Bay. The managers and coordinators of the facility usually have tons of wedding experience making them an invaluable resource. The bad thing is that sometimes the event can look mass-produced and it is possible that there may be multiple events held per day which can have an impact on your start and end times.

Hotels and Restaurants for Functions and Catering Services

Hotels and resorts tend to be my favorite venues to work with because they provide everything in one location, making it super easy for you and your guests. Depending on the location and time of year amenities, ambiance and cost vary greatly depending on the hotel or resort. The good side of using this style of venue is that it offers onsite accommodations and added amenities such as concierge service, shuttles, spas, etc. Typically they are also in proximity to airports and other vacation destinations so guests can feel free to enjoy activities on days before or after your event. They also offer low or no rental fees, the major costs tend to come in when you select how many guests and the menu items. However, the bad side is that the cuisine and hotel ballrooms set up can be somewhat generic. Also, if you are not using the full ballroom the dividers provided may be unappealing and unsightly. You may also run into a problem with a lack of privacy since larger hotels tend to be busy and host multiple events at once.

Country Clubs for Functions and Catering Services

Country Clubs are another great option for events, functions and catering services during any time of the year. You can utilize both the interior and exterior areas of the property. The interior areas may vary from place to place, but the grounds will almost always be a pleasant option including lakes, golf courses, marinas, and the list goes on according to where you are located. Some country clubs are limited to renting their facility to members only so keep that in mind when visiting locations. The good side to country clubs is that golf and other activities may be available for guests before, during, or after your event. They also offer great outdoor photo opportunities. The bad side of country clubs is that the facilities typically do not completely evacuate the area for your event so there may be members still on site that day. Also, the food may be average or limited sometimes not allowing outside caterers.

Local Bar and Grill Restaurant for Functions and Catering Services

Hosting a function and catering services at a local restaurant in Darlinghurst or Rushcutters Bay is also an option and offers a simple and convenient location. Most restaurants have experience hosting large functions so planning is relatively painless. If you've got a certain look and price range in mind, more than likely you can find a restaurant that fits your needs. Restaurants are great because usually their food good because it is their specialty. The rooms are also already fully decorated adding a little spunk to your event for free. The downside to using this venue is that space tends to be very limited in terms of the number of guests and other vendors that can fit. You will need to make sure space can fit a dance floor and band or DJ if your event will be including that form of entertainment. There is also the potential for a lack of privacy since more than likely the restaurant will remain open for their usual guests.

 

How To Find The Best Affordable Restaurants In Potts Point, Sydney

 

One of the best things about dining in a restaurant is the fact that you don't have to spend a lot in order to be able to eat good food and experience fine dining. However, just like in any other cities, not all restaurants can give you all of these for the best price. And that is why you need to know how to look for the best restaurants in Potts Point, Sydney that can make you feel like you're eating in an expensive restaurant even if you're really not.

Look for the Restaurant's Main Website

Before settling for a particular restaurant, it is always a good idea to take a look at its main website if it has one. This is the place that a restaurant may most likely post its menu and each dish's corresponding prices.

Look for Websites that offer Reviews About Restaurants

Search the web thoroughly enough and you will surely be able to find websites that offer people reviews on the hippest and most affordable restaurants in a particular city. The best restaurant owners may also post their menu prices here. The best part about surfing sites like these is the fact that you can take a look at the price ranges of more than one restaurant at a time.

Look for Magazines About Restaurants

You don't have to look at a magazine that is exclusive to Potts Point restaurants because chances are, you won't find any especially if you're living in the metro. You just have to look for magazines that talk about restaurants in different parts of the region. If you're lucky enough, you might be able to find a column or two about a particular Potts Point restaurant. Read that column well and do a little research about that restaurant on the internet.

Ask Around

You'll never know if you happen to know someone who has been to the best restaurants in Potts Point, Sydney, or not unless you ask around. Who knows, you might even stumble upon someone who is a native. That person will surely be able to tell you if a particular restaurant is affordable but good or if it is just plain cheap.

Factors to Consider When Looking For Good Corporate Event Caterers Sydney

There are innumerable catering service providers that have been helping individuals in the direction to organise hassle-free and memorable corporate events. One needs to keep some important points in mind before choosing a particular service provider.

Whether one is planning for a corporate event or a personal party, he or she needs quality catering services to make the event successful. This is because catering service providers carry out a number of useful tasks to make events memorable and successful. Their work not only covers food preparation and presentation but also includes event planning, décor recommendation, suggesting entertainment options, setting a budget, staffing services, final clean-up of the site, and much more. That is why; it is an ideal decision to hire catering services for your event rather than trying to carry out all these tasks on your own.

There are many catering service providers that offer services for different events, including weddings, banquets, social parties, conventions, fundraising events, corporate parties, birthday parties, and special events. From beautifully prepared and presented food, décor arrangement to event planning, they provide innumerable important services to choose from.

When it comes to hiring corporate event catering services in Potts Point, Sydney, you need to consider several factors. There are some points which you need to consider before hiring the corporate event caterer. 

These include:

Reputation and Experience

This is the first and foremost factor that needs to be given priority. We all know that a new company would not be able to provide the same level of quality as provided by an experienced one. Different events have different needs. Corporate events demand creativity in food presentation and variety in menu options. Proper understanding of the event, it's planning, and venue set-up can only be done properly after years of practice. So, it is better to choose a well-reputed and experienced company to achieve better results for your corporate event. The more experienced a company will be the more professional services it will offer.

Service Quality

Quality occupies an important place in catering which also comes after years of experience and practice. It is good to choose a company with quality workmanship and the highest standard of materials for complete pleasure and satisfaction of clients.

Price

Last but not least, the budget is also an important factor that should always be kept in mind when hiring corporate event catering services in Potts Point, Sydney. Make sure you choose a company that suits you best both in terms of quality and budget.

If all these factors are kept in mind, one would definitely not end up with disappointment. At Elements Bar & Grill, we have decades of experience in providing professional catering services for different kinds of events throughout Sydney.

Choosing the Perfect Wedding Caterer Sydney

Having food that titillates the palate of your guests is a great way of thanking them for coming to your wedding. Selecting the ideal caterer for your wedding is one of the most important decisions you will have to make when it comes to planning your big day.

Here Are Some Tips to Help You Find The Perfect Wedding Caterer in Sydney.

Reputation and Experience

Having an experienced caterer at your wedding can help take some of the stress off the big day. Especially if you're unsure of what you want, they will be able to guide you by giving suggestions and asking the right questions to find out your needs. On an actual day, you can rest assured, knowing that the caterer will handle things smoothly. Ask your potential catering companies for client references and testimonials to help you decide.

Do Your Own Research Work

As with other wedding-related services, what better way than to seek those who have walked the path before? Ask friends and family for recommendations, but don't just stop there. Go to bridal forums on the Internet, go to the phonebook and check out bridal exhibitions and wedding magazines. Talk to your makeup artist and people in the wedding industry. You can even check with your favourite restaurant if they cater.

Price

When it comes to hiring a wedding caterer in Sydney, set a pre-determined budget so it will be easier for you to know what you have to work with. Your budget will have a big impact on the type of reception that you can have. Shop around for price quotes and make a comparative price analysis before hiring a company that offers quality services at affordable rates. It is also very important to ask about additional costs that you might incur so you won't be surprised by the final bill.

Menu and Dietary Requirements

Generally, regardless of the type of reception you will be having, it is essential to consider the different types of special dietary requirements your guests require - vegetarian, halal, diabetic, etc. Many wedding caterers will allow the bride and groom to have a complimentary sampling. So, do not be afraid to check. As for drinks, the easiest way to take care of this is to offer a full-service bar so your guests can have a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Presentation Skills

Not only does the food need to taste good, but it also has to look good as well. Ask the caterer how they intend to present the food. Do they supply decorations, linens, tables & chairs? See if they can provide photos of actual events or show you a sample.

Service

How many staff will be on the job at the reception? What is the staff-to-guest ratio? A rule of thumb is one server for every 10 guests. Have they been properly trained? What's their dress code? You need to consider these factors before hiring a wedding caterer in Sydney.

Check the Terms and Conditions

Lastly, put everything down in black and white so that there won't be any misunderstanding. The contract should include event details, cost breakdown, service and staff, wine and spirits, menu as well as policies and procedures.

By following the above-mentioned tips, you can easily find the perfect wedding caterer for your special day.

7 Things To Consider When Hiring Corporate Catering Services in Sydney

Here Are Some Tips to Think About if you are Considering Hiring Corporate Catering Services in Sydney:

Book Them in Advance!

Many of the really good catering services might be booked a year in advance and certainly, most of them will need a three to six month lead time in order to properly cater to your event. Therefore, you'll need to start looking at catering services as soon as you know that you are going to need one. The further ahead you can book them the better your choices of caterers will be.

Big or Expensive Does Not Mean Better

Sometimes the biggest and most expensive corporate catering services aren't necessarily the best ones. A lot of the smaller ones may work harder as they are still building a reputation. Plus, sometimes the bigger ones use canned or packaged foods while the small ones will typically make everything from scratch.

Check Out the Extent of Their Network

The event caterers typically have a network of complementary services like florists, decorators, and disc jockeys so if you're looking for any of these services you might want to ask your caterer who they might recommend. This could end up being easier and maybe even cheaper for you.

Do Plenty of Research Before Choosing

Before you hire anyone, you want to make sure you do your due diligence. Check all references to make sure that other clients were satisfied with the job of the caterer. Also, you want to make sure that they are certified in safety procedures as well as food handling. The certification is done by your local Board of Health and they should just have it posted right in their place of business. In addition, get a copy of their liability insurance to make sure they are covered.

Never Ignore the Importance of Personal Meeting

Before you make the final deal, visit the caterers in their place of business. Oftentimes they'll have little samples of their food and you want to take advantage of this to make sure that the product tastes good.

How to Handle The Payment Issues

Usually, you'll have to give the corporate catering services in Sydney 50% upfront to confirm the reservation. The final payment is usually due to a couple of weeks before the event. If you need to cancel you want to notify the caterer as soon as you know because the sooner you can let them know the more of your deposit you will get back. Usually, however, if you cancel less than 30 days before the event you probably lose your whole deposit and maybe even a little bit more. It's always a good idea to read the fine print in your contract to find out what the penalties may be.

Have a Fixed Set of Budget

When working with an event catering service, you want to understate your budget a little bit so that you have a little wiggle room in case you have to make menu changes or add more guests. Most catered events usually end up costing more than the original quote so you can keep within your budget if you simply understate it, to begin with.

Top 4 Steak Types for A Steakhouse Restaurant Quality Steak Meal

Finding a good quality steak cut is the first step to enjoying one of life's simple pleasures. Grilling it to perfection will take some practice to get it right. But once you've got it down, you will be able to grill steaks every bit as good as what you'd get at a high-priced steakhouse restaurant in Sydney. Before you fire up that grill, you need to first make sure you are picking the best cut of meat available out there.

Here are 4 types of Superior Meat Grades that are Used by the Top-Notch Grill Houses that you can Use to Create the Finest Piece of Steak to Enjoy as your Meal.

Prime Beef 

This is the best cut that your money can buy. The marbling is excellent and only 2 percent of beef qualifies for this grade. Most Prime meat is sold to fine restaurants, but you can find it at a good butcher. If it's a special occasion, you have to go to Prime. It's tough to beat in terms of taste and juiciness. It has become easier to get this for the past couple of years, mainly because the recession has impacted the restaurant business, steakhouse restaurants included. This resulted in a supply surplus for this special cut of meat, so on a lot of occasions, you can even buy it now from your neighborhood retailers.

Certified Angus Beef 

Although not an official USDA grade, this is reserved for meat which meets strict standards for tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. Only 8 percent of beef meets this standard. A lot of people prefer it over other types mainly because the marbling comes close to Prime. It is also widely available in supermarkets and much more affordable than Prime.

Choice Beef 

This is the most widely available cut and you can consider it as your second choice. The meat comes from fairly young cattle and has moderate to small amounts of marbling. The choice is an excellent value for the grill.

Select Grade Beef 

This is leaner and less expensive than a Choice grade. Since the marbling is less, the meat tends to be tougher and has fewer flavors. It is a good idea to marinate this cut before grilling or you can just go and buy the Choice cut.

Now that you have chosen the cut you like, let me give you a quick note about aging. If you happen to visit this famous steakhouse restaurant in Sydney called Elements Bar and Grill and was fortunate enough to sample their steaks, and you wonder why it tastes so much better than your backyard version, one of the major reasons for it is aging. Steak, like wine, is of the few things that get better with age. There are two types of aging for beef, dry aging, and wet aging. Both types of aging make the cuts more flavorful and tender.

In the process of dry-aging, beef is hung unwrapped in a refrigerated cooler for 3 to 6 weeks. During this time two things happen, the muscles lose up to 10 percent of their weight from moisture evaporation, concentrating the beef flavor in the meat, and the fibers in the muscle break down, making the meat more tender. Wet aging has a similar storage process except the meat is put in airtight bags so there is no loss of moisture. Wet-aged or dry-aged, it's a matter of personal preference, but both enhance the flavor of the steak.

And that concludes our primer. Now go out there and get that Prime cut and start grilling!

The Best Beef Steak Cuts to Order

Beef steaks are among the most popular choice of meat that people eat in Australia. It is red meat that offers a delicious taste and can be served in a wide variety of different ways. Many people enjoy having their steaks grilled, fried, roasted, or even broiled. This red meat can be cooked in no time and they are often not cooked 100% so that the centre of the piece of steak will still retain some red raw looking flesh. Despite this look, the steak is perfectly safe to eat and is known as medium or medium-rare. People prefer their steak cooked like this since it allows the meat to still retain all the flavourful moisture and the soft tender taste of the beef makes for easy chewing. Beef steaks can be served with just about anything such as rice, vegetables, pasta, bread, noodles, and various other foods.

Tenderloin Steaks

There are different kinds of beef steaks that you can buy at the store. Let us begin with the tenderloin steak. This is the most tender out of all the beef steaks and it has a very smooth texture to it. This usually comes in a long wrapped packaging that's usually about a foot long, but can be longer. There are many different ways to cook this particular type of meat, but the most common thing that people do with it is to grill it or broil it. Often the tenderloin steak is best served when cooked to a medium-rare. This is a common type of steak that can be found at any steakhouse restaurant in Sydney.

Sirloin Steaks

These steaks come with a little bit of the bone still attached to the meat and this can really add in good flavours. There are also sirloin steaks that are deboned, but people often avoid these since they don't give the steak that extra kick of flavour once cooked. In most kitchens, the sirloin steaks are commonly the ones used for cooking and are best served as a medium-rare. They taste the best when grilled.

T-Bone Steaks

These are the most iconic type of steaks and are easily identified by the t shaped bone that lies right in the middle of the meat. This particular steak cooks very fast and is very tender. Again, this meat is best when grilled and it is often preferred at a medium cooked.

These are the three main types of beef steaks that you can find at any steakhouse restaurant in Sydney. To enjoy the taste of professionally cooked steaks, visit Elements Bar & Grill today.

Factors to Consider While Setting Up Family Restaurants

Whenever we talk about a family-style restaurant, we mean that the restaurants will have a cosy and homely atmosphere. The concept of family restaurants is comparatively new and so these types of restaurants are highly in demand. After setting up a restaurant the first aim of the restaurant owner should be to fulfill the expectations of all the guests. If you are thinking of starting a family restaurant then you must consider the style, cuisine, or culture that you would like to promote.

Choosing a Restaurant Name

Naming the restaurants is an important task. The name given should be a homely one and not something which is very loud. The name of the restaurant should be inviting and should convey a personal tone.

Interior Decoration

The interior decoration of the family restaurants is very essential. The interior decoration should not only be liked by the parents but also by the children. It should be sober but at the same time, it should be interesting for the children to like them. The owners of the best restaurants in Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, and Rushcutters Bay hire professional interior decorators to make the restaurant look attractive.

Kid-Friendly Recipes

We all know that children are considered to be the heart of the family. So, in the case of family restaurants, the main goal is to keep the children happy. Having a healthy as well as an interesting menu will not only please the children but will also make the parents happy. If the family restaurant is liked by the children the parents will surely bring them there to celebrate special events or to enjoy eating out with the entire family during weekends. This factor, in turn, will increase the profit made by the restaurant.

Lighting

The lighting of such restaurants should be well balanced, it should neither be too low like that used in late-night restaurants neither should it be blazing. The lighting should be such that both the parents and the children can feel comfortable. When it comes to lighting, the best restaurants in Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, and Rushcutters Bay hire highly experienced professionals, who are well equipped to deliver the best-suited solutions.

The owner of a family restaurant should ensure that the place is properly furnished. There should be high chairs with safety belts so that little children can comfortably sit on them. The food items written in the menu cards can be given interesting names so that children, as well as their parents, feel interested to try them out. To successfully run family restaurants such little factors should be given a lot of importance.

4 Essential Things To Consider Before Hiring An Events & Corporate Catering Service

It's better to use methods other than asking around when looking for corporate catering. One reason is the fact that the people you are asking may have something to gain from it. Additionally, just because one company has had a good experience with that caterer, that doesn't mean that you will, too.
When you need corporate catering and wish to find a caterer, there are some ways to do this. One method is to look online for a caterer. To start with making sure you look for one who is good at corporate catering, not something like wedding planning. You must be sure that the person you hire is one with a great deal of experience.

Do they offer a good price?

This does not necessarily mean that you'll want to automatically pick the cheapest catering that you may find. It just means you'll wish to find the best value. Thus, you'll want somebody who can balance price with quality. You will need to determine what's ideal for you.

Do you have a detailed planning about the event?

If you are planning to have a business event, it is essential that you make detailed plans about what you desire for the event. Will the event be a formal occasion or a relaxed get-together? Decisions include what type of set-up you will have for serving the food and what food you will be serving. Once you make your plans, corporate catering can help you make it a reality.

Think long-term and future arrangements before hiring

When you find a caterer that you approve of, make sure you establish a nice relationship with them. This way, if you find it necessary to use a caterer sometime in the future you won't have to go through the process of looking for a caterer and hiring one. There is a chance if you have a friendly relationship with a caterer they will be more inclined to help you when you need it if the situation arises.

Ensure that they understand your each and every specific need

It is vital that the caterer you hire understands your needs down to the last detail. To make sure they do, have them repeat your instructions to them. Better yet, make sure to get a detailed written contract. This will protect you and them in the event of a misunderstanding or mistake by giving both sides a common reference point.

3 Mouth-Watering Outback–Style Chicken Recipes For Your Bar And Grill

Most hard-working folks simply can't wait for the weekend to roll around in anticipation of a dinner date. However, since there are so many recipes available all over the web, there's no need to wait for Friday to have a special meal or romantic dinner for two. Take these three restaurant chicken recipes for example - right from the kitchens at a good bar and grill in Sydney, Surry Hills.

Alice Spring Chicken

First on the menu is a recipe called "Alice Springs Chicken." Try out this entree - the wait staff can't seem to keep up with the orders! This is definitely a winner at Outback, and once you try it, you'll soon know why. Alice Springs Chicken is essentially a grilled chicken served up with bacon, mushrooms, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. To put this one over the edge, top it with honey mustard sauce and you have a perfect dish!

There are plenty of dishes that can accompany this entree as a side: salad works well, so do mashed or baked potatoes, a side of corn or whatever floats your boat. The chicken is good enough on its own due to its simplicity and all-around favorite ingredients. Based on how good your bar and grill is, the recipes would be that much tastier.

Outback Grillers

Another of the Outback restaurant chicken recipes to try making is called "Outback Grillers." This is a great entree to serve your family or guests, although the statistics at Outback indicate it doesn't get ordered as much. Because of this fact, the recipe is a bit difficult to find, unless you can wrangle it out of the servers at the restaurant.

The Outback Grillers dish is served best with wild rice and a side of grilled-up vegetables. That way you can have a healthy and tasty meal instead of the junk that really hurts your cardiovascular system. Next time you go to a bar and grill in Sydney, Surry hills, look for this item.

Chicken on the Barbie

Lastly, check out Outback's "Chicken on the Barbie." This is a mouth-watering dish from the name alone, and it doesn't disappoint in person. Unlike the honey mustard of the "Alice Springs Chicken," this dish will serve you with some bar-be-cue sauce and you'll definitely find it finger-lickin' good! Just like with the Alice Springs dish, you can use most any side dish you want to serve with this entree.

5 Amazing Australian Cuisines That You Should Know Off

Australia is an island continent in the Southern hemisphere. The first inhabitants of Australia were the Aboriginal peoples who lived there for many thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans. It is believed that Dutch ships may have been the first European vessels to sight the Australian coast, but European colonization began with the arrival of the British in the late 18th century.

Australia thus developed with many links to the United Kingdom, first as a British colony, and later as a Dominion within the British Empire. After World War II, Australia began to develop deeper links with other parts of the world, and there was increased immigration from Mediterranean countries, and later from Southeast Asia. As a result, Australia is today a multi-cultural country, although many historic and cultural links with Britain also exist. This is very much reflected in the Australian cuisine too, which combines British-influenced dishes, with Asian and Mediterranean style dishes, and also some foods based on "bush tucker" (foraged food, traditionally eaten in the wilderness areas known as the "Outback", where are themselves often inspired by Aboriginal foods).

Some of the Most Common Australian Cuisine Includes

• Pie floater

A dish based around a British-style meat pie. The pie is turned upside down, covered with tomato sauce, and then served surrounded by a thick pea-green soup.

• Damper

It is traditional Australian bread, originally eaten by the travellers in the Outback area (because it was easy to prepare by the roadside). Damper is a wheat-based soda bread.

• Chiko roll

A version of spring rolls. Chiko rolls usually contain mutton and vegetables such as cabbage, and are deep-fried.

• Lamington

Sponge cake or butter cake, cut into cubes, covered with chocolate icing and desiccated coconut. Sometimes the cubes are cut in half, and a layer of cream or jam placed between the halves.

• Pavlova

A meringue cooked to be crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside. Both Australia and New Zealand claim to be the original source of this Australian cuisine that you can find even in places such as Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay, and these competing ownership claims are a matter of friendly rivalry between the two countries.

A Guide to Ordering at a Steakhouse in Sydney

Making the most out of your visit to a steakhouse restaurant in Sydney is difficult to manage without having proper clarity on the various choices you have. For people who are visiting a genuine steakhouse for the first time, the wide plethora of choices for cuts and degrees of cooking might be somewhat overwhelming. There are some people who may even simply pick steaks based on the cost rather than by the cut. However, learning about the basic distinction in cuts can help you make the most of your visit to the steakhouse.

Three Common Cuts Available at A Steakhouse

Filet Mignon

One of the most well-known options offered by a steakhouse in Sydney is the “Filet Mignon”. This is basically the French name for “dainty fillet” or “cute fillet”. The Filet Mignon steak is completely taken from the tenderloin piece of a heifer or steer. Along these lines, this meat is maybe the most delicate variant available and in this way one of the costliest options on a menu.

The Porterhouse or T-bone Steak

The Porterhouse or T-bone steak cut also utilises the loin meat. This variant has meat from both the short loin and tenderloin. It is basically a T-shaped bone with meat on its two sides. The major distinction between them depends on the quantity of tenderloin included.

The Rib Eye Steak

Not every deliciously cooked steak uses meat taken from the loin parts, though. And the famous Rib Eye steak utilises meat from the rib area. The meat in the rib portion “marbled” with fat, makes it extremely delicate, juicy and tasty.

By having the basic knowledge about these cuts offered by steakhouses can help a lot on your next visit. You can make the most of your meal, knowing precisely what's on the plate. Whether you are a fan of the modern recipes or a steak on stone, you will find everything at Elements Bar & Grill. At our top-notch steakhouse, you can savour the taste of professionally cooked stuff that are fresh and delicious.

Celebration Night Made Extra Special: An Insight On How Quality Steaks Are Made

Recently we went to Elements Bar and Grill to celebrate our family night out in style. It had a great lively ambience and the food was just finger licking good. The juicy steaks, the healthalicious veggies and mashed potatoes, the wine and the desserts, everything was just spectacular. A stellar taste in the mouth. 

So, What did we have for Dinner?

So, would you like to hear about this celebration meal? We actually had steak and baked potatoes. By the taste of it, and being an experienced steak taster, we understood from the smell of it that a great deal of effort and sincerity was put into making it. The waiters set the tables according to our requirements with a calm and composed vibe. No rush or pressurising. The tables included flowers and candles. Of course, in keeping with family first. The place consisted of modern plates, bowls, and cups of great artistry; something even the best steakhouse restaurants in Sydney would not have thought to include.
The first course was a simple Greek-style salad. It took about ten minutes to have it served. The flavours of the cheese, oil, and vinegar set right on.

Here is what I think what their basic recipe might consist of:

They have combined cut or torn Romaine lettuce with sliced sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Then sprinkled them with Feta cheese. The dressing is simple and fairly healthy: olive oil and Balsamic vinegarette. My family don't like them, but olives are wonderful additions to this simple and colourful feast. Remembering that the more colour of the rainbow you include the healthier it is; this dish had purple onion; green lettuce, peppers and cucumbers, yellow and red peppers. Only blue and orange were missing but they made up for the blue with dessert.

What was in our Main Course?

The main course was steak, fresh from the butcher, and baked potatoes with sautéed mushrooms and onions. I once heard in some events and catering that someone say a good steak requires no seasoning and I have come to believe that. So, all these were only salted, very lightly and I believe was then sealed in the juices by browning them on high heat. The pan should be so hot that you hear the steaks sizzle when they hear it.


The steaks were browned on both sides and then placed in a baking dish to finish off in the oven or grill. They have used low heat to keep the meat juicy and tender. How long the steak is cooked will depend upon the customer’s taste in meat. A truly rare enthusiast may like their steak straight from the pan. Me and my family prefers it well done and briefed the bar and grill waiter accordingly. So, it took almost half an hour for the steak to be served. Through my assumption they had cooked the meat on the medium-low setting (which would be around 5 or 200 in the UK and approximately 250 to 300 in the US).

And the Dessert

Finally, dessert. We preferred it to be kept simple. My son wanted chocolate fudge cake topped with chocolate ice cream and fresh blueberries and strawberries. In complete honesty, it looked better than it tasted. But then again that happens in every best steakhouse restaurant in Sydney too.

3 Things To Consider When Choosing Your POS System

One thing that the best restaurants in Sydney do is they choose a credible POS system for smooth and efficient functionality. We are going to discuss some of the key components of point of sale system for your restaurant for maximum profitability and efficiency.

Sales Forecast Feature for Increased Flexibility

When operating a restaurant, one thing is for sure. Some days might be quite busy for your restaurant and you would make good profits out of it while some days would go dry and uninspiring. The weekends and festivities are some of the grand times for your business to be swarming with customers to boost your profit. The smart restaurants would have a POS system installed in their system with features such as sales forecasting. As the sales will vary each day, it would provide you, the owner, with the options to cater for various types of scenarios and fill you with important information to help forecast the high and low sales period.

Test the Speed and Efficiency of Your POS System

You should have the appliance tested to verify whether it will work as efficiently as you would want and need it to. It has to work fast enough to cover your operations, especially on the busy days. Only then shall it boost the efficiency and swiftness of the operation of the best restaurants in Sydney.

As a result, it is important to choose a POS system with lean features that are particular to your needs ensuring efficient performance.

The Additional Equipment to Keep an Eye on

Before buying or installing the system, it is essential to have it checked to see if it includes all the equipment that are needed to run your business efficiently. You should opt for an integrated credit card payment system to speed up the delivery time and improve the quality of service. As it can speed up the service delivery time and improve your overall customer service. This will also cut the need of buying new equipment and therefore saving you plenty of money.

The POS system is used by the best restaurants in Sydney to manage the inventory proficiently. It is required in every restaurant nowadays as the world is modernising and the technological prowess is increasing and becoming a mainstay for any business. Your POS system should be tailored based on the type of foods that you serve, and the inventory system. The more consumable they are the more closely it should be managed.

In addition to that, also make sure that your system comes with the option to produce comprehensive reports on inventory, staffing, food and the ingredients that are required. These reports will simplify your accounting system and make it easier for you to decide what is required to be done. 

Re-Define The Art Of Celebration With This Bar And Grill Restaurant In Sydney

Like any other families, we frequently go out as a family to celebrate all big and small occasions in our life.  Whether it is a birthday party or an anniversary night, we would go out to have a blast. The bill has never been below $40 for dinner for two with an elegant bottle of wine with it. When we included children, the price hiked from $75 to $100.


So, this week, when I received a large payment for consulting work that I had done some time ago, my first thought was let us have a celebration. But I immediately realised that the traditional going out to eat was not in keeping with the Frugal Family values (at least not for something as inconsequential as getting paid money I was owed if we won the Lottery, maybe). Instead I began to plot and scheme for something that could make me and my family feel just as special and keep with our core values. Perhaps a Bar and Grill in Sydney would be a better idea.  So, what are the categories that I have looked for when opting for such type of restaurant?

Family First Dining Experience

Any mother of a three-year-old will tell you that dining out is a challenge. This option actually proved challenging because we don’t want to worry about shovelling our food into our mouths. We want the waiters to be friendly and make us feel comfortable and familiar to their style of prepared meals. Overall, for family first this experience we need five-star services.

Saving Money While Dining

Like I said, the bare minimum we would have left the bar and grill in Sydney for was £40 for just me and hubby. This meal cost us £20 and fed the whole family £5/person.

The food and quality of service and cooking style should be hygienic 

This first thing that comes to mind on this count was the water glasses. There has been a furore for some time about bottled water served by hotels and restaurants. I served filtered tape water. I also check out the quality of their toilet. They say that the cleanliness and professionalism of a restaurant or home can be judged by their toilet condition.

Health and Nutritional Values

It is a celebration with my family so I expect the meals to be the healthiest of wagyu steaks. By cooking it at home I know exactly how much salt and sugar were added to the meal rather than trying to read some pretty little symbols off a menu assuming the restaurant even bothers to highlight healthy options. In recent times, health and nutrition has become a part of our regime as I want me and my children to be equally strong and healthy. I certainly do not want to take them in a restaurant that offers unhealthy, greasy steaks or burgers.


Keeping everything in mind, eventually we came across Elements Bar and Grill. It is a great place for steaks and Wagyu burgers and me and my family had a great time and the food was spectacular.


In the end, I asked my husband and eighteen-year-old son to rate the experience from one to five. Both gave the evening a four, but my husband's ranking changed to five when he learned about the effort and research, I had to do to make the experience worthwhile.

6 Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Steakhouse Restaurants In Sydney

Whether on your honeymoon or events and catering, it is our tradition to try new foods that we haven't tried before and we can do this from any locations. If you are a steak lover, in most cities, you can find the best restaurants by doing a little research ahead of time.

When you are on your honeymoon, although most of it will be spent starry eyed, you will have to eat sometime. In a new city however, it may be difficult to know just what to eat and where.

We have checked around to find out how people go about finding the right type of steak houses in Sydney on their honeymoon as well as for hiring for an event and we offer these tips:

Check out the food before you go

one of the things you must look at is the choices of food that are available in and around the hotel. This will shed some light on what type of foods are available. However, in every city, they also have a list of the best steakhouse restaurants, that may be of benefit to newbies.

Book reservations in advance

If you find a restaurant that looks particularly interesting, find out more about it. If you want to go, book your reservations ahead of time and check on them before you leave.

Romantic restaurants vs. other types of restaurant ambience

Just because a restaurant says it is romantic doesn't mean that it is and it doesn't mean that their meaning of romantic will be the same as what you think. Check the Internet for people's experiences on honeymoons and other trips to see where they went. Most people will tell you whether it was romantic.

You can sometimes get to a location and find a small bar and grill restaurant, outside the tourist area that has the ambiance and romance you are looking for, so keep your options open.

Check the restaurant's schedule

Sometimes you will want to try a restaurant only to find out that it is being renovated when you get there. Check to see that they will be open and available during your stay.

Let them know you are on your honeymoon

Wait until you get to the restaurant for this one, but let them know you are on your honeymoon. You never know what wonderful experiences you may have when you let people know.

Be open to different dining experiences

Many people will eat the same cuisine that they would always eat because it is "safe." However, if you talk to the locals, you may find that there are wonderful eating experiences just waiting for you to try them.

Finding the best cuisine when you are on your honeymoon or for your events and catering can add to the overall enjoyment of your romance and at to the ambiance overall.

Easy and Helpful Tips to Grill a Steak Like a Pro!

A vast section of people like to prepare and cook Steaks on the Grill. When cooking a Steak on a Gas Grill, don’t forget to keep the lid closed until it gets very hot. In case you are using a Charcoal Grill, make sure that you light up the coals and let the entire thing burn to an extent that you can spot a complete grey coat of ashes. After preparing the Grill, all you need to do is take a paper towel in two tongs and pour cooking oil on it before rubbing it on the Grill grate. To cook Steaks like a pro, you need to consider several factors before beginning the cooking process. Want to Grill a Steak like the best Steakhouses in Sydney? Follow these easy and helpful tips on how to cook and serve a delicious Steak at your home.

The Type of Steak You are Cooking

Whether you are a fan of the modern recipes or a steak on stone, you need to buy good quality meat. No matter what type of Steaks you prefer – a Rib-eye, a Fillet Mignon, a T-Bone or a New York Strip – make sure the meat you buy has some marbling in it. Always remember that your Steak should be at least 1 inch thick. If you are cooking with a Fillet then it is wise to wrap a piece of Bacon around it before securing it with a toothpick which is soaked in water. However, you should never pierce the meat with the toothpick.

Making All the Necessary Preparations and Cooking the Steak

For cooking a London Broil or a Sirloin, you need to marinate the meat for 30 minutes. Use paper towels to pat the Steak dry, when the Grill is ready. This will maintain a nice sear. Add salt and pepper generously and also brush the meat lightly with Olive Oil. Now you need to put the meat on the Grill and close the lid.

Open the Lid after 4 minutes and if the Steak has turned slightly grey, turn it over. Now you need to cook the other side for 4 minutes to enjoy a Medium-Rare Steak. In case you want a Medium Steak, cook the first side for 5 minutes and repeat the same thing on the other side.

Now you have to press the middle of the Steak with your finger and the more resistance you get, the more the Steak is cooked. Allow the Steak to rest for at least 5 to 7 minutes after you take it off the Grill. This will allow the juices to settle. In case it is a cool day, cover the Steak with Aluminium Foil.

After leaving the Steak to rest, roast fresh Asparagus Spears on the Grill. To prevent them from falling through the Grate, you need to hold 3 of them together with a couple of Toothpicks, soaked in Water. Next, you need to add salt after removing them from the Grill and serve with your favourite Salad dressing. To make it look more professional, prepare your own Hollandaise Sauce to serve with the Asparagus.

The above-mentioned tips will definitely help you cook a Steak that matches the flavour and taste of professionally cooked stuff served by any well-known steakhouse in Sydney.

3 Excellent Tips To Choose The Best Restaurant In Sydney

Having a great dining experience is the purpose of going out for a dinner. You expect great food, and a great time. However, it is not only about the food. It is about the dining experience as well as the ambiance of the dining establishment. Having wonderful company also adds an extra level of satisfaction. In order to have the perfect dining experience, or organise wonderful Christmas parties there are some helpful tips you should follow.

Collect plenty of recommendations

Let's face it not all restaurants are the same, the only common thing between them might be the food that they prepare. Although, they prepare food this does not necessarily mean that the food is good, and it is difficult to order food only to find out it does not taste good. This wastes your time, and your money. Thus, the best way to figure out if the food is good is before you make the dinner reservation. You can accomplish this by asking for recommendation from your co-workers, family and friends. Ask them what type of meals is served at the restaurant, and the type of services they have received. This will give you some ideas as to whether you should waste your time dining at that particular restaurant.

Search online or local news portals

If the dining recommendations, you received from your inner circle is not good. Consider reading your local newspaper weekly restaurants review. Newspapers food critics visit the best restaurantsin Sydney on a weekly basis, and then write a review of the restaurant. This information is normally available online so you can do an online search at the newspaper website for information. Another consideration is website that allows users to write restaurant reviews. Since, these websites are prevalent there should not be a problem locating one.

Invest a little – buy a local restaurant guide

Are you a member of an auto club? If you are, auto clubs also provide restaurants rating for establishment that participate with their organisation. Finally, buy a restaurant guide. They cost a few dollars, and provide information on restaurants. They use a rating system with the highest rating considered the best restaurant, and gives a description of the food as well as the restaurant. The drawback to buying a guide, however, is the restaurant guide may not have the best restaurant you are interested in listed. Consequently, you will have wasted your money buying the guide.

When you eat out, you want a dining experience that is impeccable to the food. With that said, you should not settle for less so investigate the restaurant first, and then select the restaurant after. This will help you tremendously.

How To Cook Excellent Quality Steak: Tips From A Top Bar And Grill Restaurant In Sydney

If you have never cooked on a gas grill before, you might find yourself thinking "how hard could this be?" If you have been a cook and have been working on a local bar and grill restaurant in Sydney or is an amateur chef, you might be confused that some of your greatest recipes are not doing as good as they should in a grill?

Grilling on the gas grill can be more challenging than you'd like to admit - in mixed company anyway. Although great for getting you out of the kitchen on those hot summer days, successful gas grilling can take a bit of practice.

Understand the intensity of the heat from the burners

The mistake most folks make with cooking on the propane grill is not understanding the intensity of the heat from the burners. This heat is fire instead of the electric heating elements found in your stove. Folks tend to overcook foods on the outside and not enough on the inside.

Also, direct heat from a fire (your propane grill burner) coupled with the one mistake that I'll bet you make (see below) can have a tendency to dry foods out. Particularly if it is Wagyu steaks. It is often a good idea to marinade your meats and poultry overnight before subjecting them to this heat. Remember, for a lot of foods, low and slow is the way to go.

Pre-hitting rituals

Before placing your foods in the grill, you want to heat the grate and bars (if any) to as hot a temperature as you can. You do this by first lighting your grill with the gas on and cover open. Once your grill is lit, close the grill and turn your burner control knobs to high.

After about five minutes or so, open your grill cover and turn the heat down to medium. This you will want to experiment with. You are going to leave your grill cover open while grilling.

Never stick a fork in the steak

Brush your meat or poultry with olive oil and place it, brushed and presentation side down on your grate. Once you begin to see it brown around the edges and pink or clear moisture bubbling to the top of the piece, it is now that you want to flip it.

It is at this point that most folks make a big mistake... they stick it with a fork (you've heard the old saying - stick a fork in it. You just poked holes in your meat or poultry and now that the fork holes are facing down (after the flip), all of the juices that help to cook internally as well as provide moistness and taste will go running out and into the grill. Certainly not a good way to prepare Wagyu burgers.

Now make sure you have an instant read thermometer and a chart to know when your particular food item has reached its internal safe temperature. Immediately upon reaching this temperature, remove it from the grill.

Following these easy tips will have you well on your way to a delicious season of successful grilling!