Monthly Archive for March, 2010

Vinturi Red Wine Aerator

Vinturi White Wine Aerator

I love kitchen helpers, but I am even more crazy about sexy looking little wine helpers. There is something akin to envy in your guests eyes when you take out your latest wine accessory. Not only does it bring all the guests, especially dare I say it the men, to a standstill but it is one of those small victory moments. Naturally we want everyone to have one, we are just happy we got one first.

Well if you want sexy and clever and even more important something that actually works you need to get the Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator. Not only does it actually aerate the wine in real time, no waiting for a few hours, it makes less than great wine, very drinkable. It smooths out the edges, reduced the sharpness of the tannins and creates a very drinkable drop.

I have had first hand experience of  this phenomenon and the ‘Plummers’, Kris and her husband Jason are so proud of their little import they brought it into the studio to show me just how it worked. I love it!

Vinturi Red Wine Tower Set

We tried out a white wine, a very good red wine and then a cheap and cheerful red and while it worked on all three, it worked very well on the cheap and cheerful wine. It is the perfect man gift. If you are a woman and you own one, men will see you in a new light (a brighter light).

There is a white wine  and a red wine Vinturi however unlike me, most people will realise that the colour coded product is for the wine not your home décor. They retail from $64 and if you have a bar counter you need the Tower set $109 which has a very elegant stand an is impressive.

To locate the Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator you can contact Kris or Jason at www.australiavinturi.com.au or Tel: (07) 3356 8081

The first ever Sicilian restaurant in Sydney is nestled perfectly in Watsons Bay. I am always sceptical of a new venue with a little known chef and a new regional menu. Few can cook, even less manage to be authentic. But here is a little gem. Gusto Bar and Kitchen has a very good chef/owner in the form of Paolo Patane. His food is worthy of a mention as his dishes are simple, flavourful, well presented and true to their heritage.

Fresh Fig and Prosciutto Salad

We started with a Combined Antipasto Plate $38 with Slices of Mortadella, Prosciutto, Bresaola and Salami served with my favourite fat green Sicilian Olives. The Eggplant sushi was a favourite with fresh pillows of ricotta wrapped in eggplant and laced with a little chilli.

My pasta was impressive. House made Taglierini alla Marinara $ 26.90. Perfectly al dente pasta, complemented by fresh seafood tossed with a hint of chilli, a smattering of freshly torn green olives and a hint of white wine.

One of the stand out dishes was Janine’s Scaloppine al Passito di Pantelleria $25.50. I had food envy on sight and even more so after I had speared a mouthful when she wasn’t paying attention. My Grilled Swordfish Steak Topped with Warm Marinade of Capers, Tomato, Ligurian Olives and Oregano, was full of flavour $33.90.

Swordfish Main

Dessert is my favourite part of any meal. Disappoint me at this juncture in the evening and all is lost. Fortunately I was very happy with the fresh Pear and Ricotta Tort and totally in lust with the made to order crunchy, creamy, sweet and yet not too sweet Cannoli.

Ricotta and Pear Torte

The wine list includes authentic Sicilian wines as well as Australian wines and each dish was perfectly matched.

The venue is more Sicilian kitchen than fine dining with large windows overlooking the park, tiles on the floor and a no frills approach to dining, it is a perfect lunch venue and very Sicilian.

Gusto Bar and Kitchen is located at 3, 27 Military Road, Watsons Bay.  Tel: (02) 9388 8827  www.gustobarandkitchen.com