CAMPBELL MATTINSON

By Inside Out magazine. For more great homewares, see the Nov/Dec issue, on sale now

42 SUNDAY MAGAZINE

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You’ll fi nd more handy kitchen tips at www.taste.com.au.

To add a subtle garlic fl avour to your salads, rub a peeled garlic clove around the base of the bowl before adding the leaves and dressing.

I came in from a beach swim recently with a craving for Fat Yak Pale Ale. I fi rst tasted Fat Yak when it was released in a bottle in March, and went crazy on it for about two months before suddenly losing a taste for it. But there I was, on a warm spring day, the taste of salt in my mouth and the urge was back.

It may seem appropriate, given that winter left me looking like a beached whale, but it also spoke of how keenly we seek different drinks at different times of the year: deep-fl avoured, pudding-like red wines in winter; savoury, even herbal drinks in autumn (think a good pinot noir); and fruity drinks in the warmer months.

Sauvignon blanc, riesling, pinot grigio and chardonnay all fi t the latter bill, and so does Fat Yak Pale Ale ($20.99 for a six-pack at major liquor outlets). The brewer calls it “a blend of premium pale malted barley and a truckload of hops”. Not only does it taste soft, fruity, hoppy and gently bitter, it’s also beautifully refreshing.

Campbell Mattinson’s The Big Red Wine Book 2009/10 (Hardie Grant, $24.95) is out now.

It’s hard to beat the giant coathanger, brightly lit clown face and waterscape that dominate the view from the windows of this prime location venue. It’s nice to feel dwarfed by three of Sydney’s greatest assets, although the spectacle, teamed with Sails’ lush striped banquettes and bright white plantation shutters, does make it a little hard to concentrate on conversation. Lucky for my friend and me, we can talk under water and are just getting warmed up. We’ve begun tonight’s gossip session with a couple of by-the-glass drops recommended by sommelier Sam Bidwell, who was brought on board by owners Greg Anderson and Patricia Nunes (who have already given their golden touch to the Pyrmont waterfront at Sugaroom and Milk & Two Cafe.) We start our meal with a special, which is the regular scallop entree with the added extravagance of truffl es ($24). It’s our gain that head chef Steven Skelly (formerly of Pier and Bilson’s) is over-stocked. Perfectly pert scallops sandwich slices of the black gold next to potato foam, king brown mushrooms and delicious wafer-thin caulifl ower slices and the lot is gobbled up in minutes. My main of braised Riverina lamb ($40) with goat’s cheese emulsion, peas and broad beans is as fresh and green as my enthusiasm for our debate, while her grilled Thirlmere duck breast ($42) scores high points with its silky corn custard, spring rocket and pine nuts. There’s no argument at all as we fi nish up with a sticky. While there may be a few unresolved issues, we agree to a draw and plan to come back for round two. Ding, ding!

1. Magis Dish Doctor, $119. Designed by Australian uber-designer Marc Newson, this funky piece is made from durable polypropylene, and comes with a removable drainage tray in green, orange, white or translucent. An eye-catching bit of benchtop fun. Stockists: ECC Lighting and Furniture (02) 9380 7922 or www.ecc.com.au.2. KVOT Dish Drainer, $12.99. Don’t feel the need to jazz up the washing up? For an affordable, practical choice, you can’t beat this steel rack from IKEA. It holds a decent amount of dishes and then folds neatly away. Stockists: www.ikea.com.au. 3. Aureau Collection Delica Dish Drainer, $199. In this minimalist mod design, two fl at, laser-cut planes click together to create a unique A-frame structure with serious sculptural appeal. If you’re not a fan of classic plastic, you’ll love the waterproof wood and melamine mix. Stockists: Enjoi (02) 9331 4065 or www.enjoi.com.au.

THREE OF A FIND...

DISH DRAINERS

GLUTTON

The all-day bar menu (available from 11.30am to

9pm) at MPB gives new

meaning to the long lunch. Lucky, as the man-size

chicken schnitzel with shoestring

fries and chilli aioli ($18) takes all day to eat. Call (02) 9231 5575.

ONE GOODREASON

Martin Place Bar51 Martin Pl, Sydney

WINEFRONT

Sails, 2 Henry Lawson Ave, McMahons Point. Call (02) 9955 5998 or visit www.sailsrestaurant.com.au.

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