‘Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.’
– Henry David Thoreau
This year is going to be big. Big in food, drink and fun. So it’s fitting that Secret Foodies started 2015 with a statement that we care about our food, our drink and as always we make it fun. A philosophy shared by James Bradey and Warren Burns the creative gents responsible for Grandma’s Bar, The Wild Rover and their newest venue Wilhelmina’s in Balmain.
Wilhelmina’s is a restaurant that’s all about simplicity, local sourcing and sustainability. This made it the perfect location for our Local Harvest Dinner.
Head Chef and former Masterchef contestant Jamie Fleming designed a menu that highlights some of the best local produce Sydney and regional NSW has to offer. In keeping with Wilhelmina’s philosophy of simplicity the dishes were subtle, well rounded and unpretentious.
Guests were given a dry dacquiri with locally sourced passionfruit and lime on arrival before taking their seats around the high tables overlooking the open plan kitchen.
We started with plump, juicy heirloom tomatoes topped with smoked Pecora sheep’s curd and lavosh matched with a glass of Pepper Tree Chardonnay, Wrattonbully | Orange ’13.
For mains we had slow-roasted lamb shoulder, smoky eggplant, Pecora yoghurt and kale matched with a bold Pepper Tree limited release Shiraz, Hunter Valley ’13.
We finished the evening with Pecora mezze, figs, honeycomb and nasturtium and a glass of the Pepper Tree sticky pig, Pinot Gris ’14.
Wilhelmina’s is open Mon-Wed 4pm-late and Thu-Sun noon-late. We hear they do a delicious brunch menu – just one of the menu reasons to return.
Wilhelmina’s
1/332 Darling St, Balmain
02 8068 8762
http://wilhelminas.com.au/