Portugal truly is a food lovers oasis.
Home to the flaky Portuguese tarts, aromatic peri peri sauce, meats and seafood cooked over the open coals, the flavours and passion that goes into this beautiful cuisine is palpable. Having yet to explore this vibrant part of the Mediterranean, it made sense to host the ultimate food and wine experience.
The Secret Foodies team lured curious diners to none other than Bibo Double Bay, the Bay Street wine bar making waves Sydney’s affluent east. Opening in early 2017, this low lit, moody hangout is reminiscent of Europe’s top wine bars. For this special event, our guests were hosted in Bibo’s airy open deck. With vibrant vines suspending from a retractable roof, the mood was quickly set on a balmy autumnal night.
Upon arrival, the food and drinks odyssey commenced with an aromatic spritz, made using gin, white port, Fever-Tree tonic water and a dash of Prosecco.
As guests took their seats, it was soon time for the first of many food and wine pairings. Guests soon clinked glasses of the 2012 Caves São Domingos ‘Metod Classico Bruto’ Sparkling, while bite-size Punheta de Bacalhau arrived to the table. This traditional Portuguese snack is designed to whet the appetite at the start of any meal, made with cod fish, olive oil and salt and served atop a toasted crostini.
From bubbles, it was then time to try the 2017 Quinta das Arcas ‘Conde Villar’ Branco, Vinho Verde. To complement the punchy and aromatic essence of this white wine, a smorgasbord of tasty nibbles were served. Think croquettes, sardine and squid ink beignets, dollops of garlic aioli and freshly sliced bread to mop everything up.
With everyone’s appetites suitably invigorated, Bibo’s head sommelier Louella Mathews spoke to the group about the Portuguese wines we were drinking, and how they had been chosen to complement each dish. Louella’s knowledge and passion for wine was only too clear, as she spoke of the various wine varietals borne from this part of the Mediterranean.
With our understanding of Portegeuse wine broadened, it was then time for a show stopping creation, flambé chorizo. Links of chorizo sausage were soaked in sherry before being set alight and served to the table. Visually captivating, the dish was equally impressive in terms of flavour.
No Portuguese meal would be complete without piri piri, and thankfully this iconic sauce came in abundance in the following course. Guests were treated to flavoursome piri piri chicken, accompanied by roasted brussel sprouts and sweet potato crisps. Generous dollops of aioli added the final decadent flourish to this main meal, the course made complete with a glass of 2017 Tiago Cabaço Premium Rosé.
While stomachs might have been full to bursting, there was no way diners were missing out on dessert. A delicate mound of chocolate mousse rested in bowls with oozy salted caramel sauce, each topped with an almond crumb. A decadent dessert could only be matched with a bold red wine, and so each diner was soon poured a glass of 2012 Quitna do Granjal ‘Grande Reserva’ Douro.
Ms Darlinghurst, aka Alex Adams, soon after brought Bibo’s Head Chef Jose Silva before the group, to uncover more about Bibo’s story as well as Silva’s personal story.
Captivating and enlightening, guests left our Taste of Portugal Wine Dinner with new found friends, knowledge and an awakened passion for this incredible cuisine and its wine.
Special thanks as always must go to Bibo Wine Bar for making the evening so memorable.
You can check out photos from the event here
Secret Foodies also offer private events for groups 20ppl+. For more information and to book, click here.
Bibo Wine Bar
7 Bay Street, Double Bay
Bibo Wine Bar is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 5:30pm to midnight & Friday & Saturday: midday to midnight.