A local taste at Brixton Lounge and Dining

Posted by Jan

Glebe Point Road is one of Sydney's eat streets where you can pretty much find whatever you happen to fancy. As a local, I love how it's a blend of long-time favourites and new, up-and-coming trends. A relatively new addition is Brixton Lounge and Dining with its a modern Australian and British approach to neighbourhood dining.

Brixton Iced Tea from Brixton Lounge & Dining, Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Having walked past a few times when they opened, I was pretty curious to try out the new kid on the block, which does breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. I recently attended a special spring menu degustation by invitation, in association with Burge and Rathbone Fine Wines.

After a hard day I was pretty happy to be ushered to a comfy armchair and served a Brixton Iced Tea - possibly the most delicious cocktail on Glebe Point Road. I loved the mix of organic basil & rose tea, peach schnapps, vodka & strawberry.

Salt and pepper eggplant

We had a couple of nibbles while waiting for our dining companions to arrive. I like fried things so was naturally biased towards liking the salt and pepper eggplant. 

I think these could be the new french fries. I liked the crunchy outside that was just salty enough before giving in to the lovely, sweet softness of eggplant. 

Gruyere balls with homemade tomato relish

The gruyere balls were a revelation for me: crunchy on the outside and oozy with melted cheese on the inside. 

The homemade tomato relish was delicious and my dining companions liked it with the cheese balls, but for me, nothing could distract me from oozy, cheesy yumminess. I even tried to surreptitiously eat more than my share. 

House-cured salmon, crème fraîche with pickled fennel

The first entree taster of the 6-course degustation was a fresh-tasting and tender sliver of house-cured salmon. The dab of crème fraîche and pickled fennel added just a touch of tartness to contrast the sweetness of the fish. 

The bread was a tasty rye (I think from Sonoma just down the street) but I refrained from eating too much as I knew there was more to come. I enjoyed the accompanying glass of crisp Yarrabank Sparkling Cuvee Brut from the Yarra Valley. 

Warm bacon, asparagus & haloumi salad

The next dish was a warm salad of bacon, asparagus and perfectly grilled chunks of haloumi, served with a honey mustard dressing.

This fabulous salad could just be a whole main course and would be great for a summer's day when you want something lighter but substantial. 

Signature salmon spring roll

Brixton's signature salmon spring roll was pleasingly crisp on the outside with the salmon cooked just right within. The homemade chilli jam was gently spicy and added pizazz to the spring roll and presentation. 

A light and refreshing Happs chenin blanc from the Margaret River was paired with the salad and salmon.

Tomato & ricotta tortellini with black olive butter

The next two rounds showcased the perennial Italian favourites of pasta and risotto and how these dishes should be cooked just so.

I could smell the butter sauce the moment the tomato and ricotta tortellini landed on the table. The light pasta filling was perfectly complemented by the salty black olive and rich melted butter. 

Pea & goat cheese risotto

The pea and goat cheese risotto was cooked exactly how I like it: pleasingly al dente with a tiny hint of crunch. There was also mint stirred through the rice that added freshness to the dish, which I could have eaten a main size of without problem. 

A delicious marsanne/viognier/roussanne blend from Yering Station was matched with the pasta and risotto.

Pan roasted NSW lamb, pistachio crust with cauliflower puree

As a seasonal menu, the perennial spring favourite of lamb was bound to appear. The pistachio-crusted lamb was quickly seared for a crunchy exterior before being pan-roasted to a perfect medium-rare. The lamb was tender and juicy; gently complemented by the cauliflower puree and crunchy carrots. 

Another Yering Station wine was well chosen to pair with the lamb. I like the full-bodied fruity flavours of the 'Village' shiraz viognier. 

Mixed berry ravioli with Galliano & passionfruit anglaise

I am not much of cake-type desserts person so was pretty pleased to see a yellow and maroon plate of mixed berry ravioli with a passionfruit anglais sauce. 

It is an interesting approach to incorporating seasonal berries; however, I felt that the passionfruit flavours overwhelmed the Galliano liqueur in the sauce. 

My favourite seat in the house for people watching

In a street of many food choices, Brixton Lounge and Dining fills a niche created by the ever increasing cost of real estate and cramped eateries on Glebe Point Road.

It is a rare luxury these days to have such a large, un-crowded space for a slow unwind after a long day or just a casual weekend catch-up with friends - and you could have a taste of it too.

Giveaway - cancelled (11 Nov 2014)

Food, Booze & Shoes dined at Brixton Lounge & Dining as a guest.

Spring into Vapiano - and win a free meal

It's been more than nine months since Vapiano landed in Sydney and judging by the numbers of happily self-serviced diners I see every time I pop in, the quick and fresh pasta and pizza offering has certain appeal to the CBD's suits and visitors alike.

I like Vapiano for the minimal waiting times for food (basically no wait for a seat), and meal and ordering flexibility. I also like getting the Innocent Bystander moscato every time I visit, which reminds me of sweet lollies in spring.

Spelt fusilli pasta gamberi con rosso from Vapiano Sydney, York Street, Sydney

In light of Vapiano's first spring in Sydney they've introduced a number of main specials just for the season - and you and a friend could try them for free in a Food, Booze & Shoes giveaway (full details at the bottom of this post).

Pumpkin soup

The first of the spring specials menu is, perhaps oddly, pumpkin soup, served with a selection of cream, parmesan cheese, garlicky croutons or basil on top; the latter of which fill the restaurant in pots for diners' own picking and garnishing.

While I'm more than happy to move away from soups after winter, admittedly we might still have a few cooler days and evenings ahead of us. The thick but not-too-heavy pumpkin soup is quite the large serving with good consistency, while the buttery garlic croutons were my highlight.

Pasta gamberi con rosso - prawn and tomato pasta

As with all of Vapiano's pasta options, diners can choose their preferred pasta shape for the prawn and tomato spring special.

The conchiglie frilled shells are gorgeous to look at but I ended up with the spelt fusilli spirals which was also my first taste of spelt pasta. Noticeably more grainy than normal pasta, I'm not sure I would choose spelt over plain, especially in a subtly sauced pasta dish like the prawn and tomato.

Chilli would be highly recommended with this pasta dish, which can be requested when ordering from your very own Vapiano chef. We also picked a fair bit of the basil pot on our table to add to the tomato sauce with several whole prawns.

Pizza Poporano (image courtesy of Vapiano)

The spring special for the pizza menu is the Poporano which features a tomato base and toppings of bresaola cured beef, shaved parmesan cheese and rocket.

The bresaola, made in NSW, is the salty, air-cured feature of the pizza although perhaps a little sparse on the thin, crisp base beneath a shower of rocket leaves.

Risotto pollo levanto - creamy chicken risotto

Our carb fest continued with our tasting of the fourth main special; a well-seasoned chicken risotto cooked to a perfect al dente state.

With cream, bacon, onion and plenty of chicken pieces, the risotto was my favourite of the four spring specials, which I again covered with freshly-picked basil leaves at the table - for both fun and some greenery for my meal.

White chocolate cheesecake with salted caramel and honeycomb

I just couldn't squeeze in dessert, which is definitely one for the super-sweetooths. The glass serving of cheesecake with a biscuit crumble base was studded with white chocolate pieces and if that wasn't enough sugar for you, it's topped with a thick salted caramel and honeycomb pieces.

Vapiano's spring specials are available from now until 31 October 2014 - spring in to Vapiano Sydney to check them out or win a spring menu tasting for two people here.

Giveaway - Vapiano spring menu tasting for two!

Food, Booze & Shoes and Vapiano Sydney are giving away spring menu tastings for two - to include one main special and the white chocolate cheesecake dessert.

There are four to be won on the Food, Booze & Shoes Facebook page - make sure you like the page AND the Vapiano giveaway post to be in the running to win.

Four winners will be selected randomly on Sunday, 28 September 2014 at 8.30pm AEST and notified via Facebook. Winners will need to provide a mailing address within 4 days so the vouchers can be posted in the mail. Good luck!

Terms & conditions
Winners' vouchers are for use at Vapiano Sydney only. The voucher entitles the winner and their guest to a choice of one spring menu item each and the white chocolate cheesecake dessert.
Entrants must like both the Food, Booze & Shoes Facebook page and the Vapiano giveaway post to enter the giveaway validly.
No bookings required to use vouchers. Vouchers must be used by Friday, 31 October 2014.

Vapiano Sydney

Food, Booze & Shoes dined as a guest of Vapiano.

Win tickets to the Australian Garden Show Sydney featuring Lindeman’s Open Garden

The Australian Garden Show Sydney is on for the very first time from Thursday, 5 to Sunday, 8 September 2013 at Centennial Park.

Coinciding with the start of spring, this interactive four-day event celebrates Australia’s love of gardens and outdoor spaces from 10am to 5pm with an evening Night Garden event from 6pm to 10pm.

Lindeman's Open Garden - a feature at the Australian Garden Show Sydney,
5-8 September 2013, Centennial Park, Sydney

Curated by landscape designer and author, Myles Baldwin, the Australian Garden Show Sydney features four event pillars: celebrity gardening, flowers, sustainability and design. There are lectures, designer garden features, balcony gardening lessons, floral installations and onsite bars and restaurants.

And for those with less of a green thumb, the international award-winning Lindeman’s Open Garden will be on show every day from 10am to 7pm (for visitors over 18).

The Lindeman’s Open Garden will feature cooking demonstrations by former My Kitchen Rules contestants, Sammy & Bella, as well as gardening activities and tastings of Lindeman’s Early Harvest range (the latter being more my style of gardening).

Lindeman's Open Garden hanging basket display

Visitors to the Lindeman’s Open Garden will be able to sample the popular Lindeman’s Early Harvest wine range of 11 different wines, perfect for spring and summer entertaining, being 25 per cent lighter in alcohol and calories.

A favourite at Lindeman’s Open Gardens is the hanging basket display where visitors can create a customised basket from a huge array of flowers and herbs, leave them to adorn a six-metre hanging basket tree before taking them away to enjoy at home.

Win a double pass to the Australian Garden Show Sydney!

Food, Booze and Shoes is giving away two double passes for the Australian Garden Show Sydney, with thanks to Lindeman’s Open Garden and Purpose Communications.

Simply email your postal address and answer to the question below to foodboozeshoes@gmail.com by 9.30pm AEST on Sunday, 1 August 2013.

"What would be your one must-have item in an open garden?"

Two winners will be announced on Monday, 2 August 2013 and tickets will be mailed to winners. Tickets are also available for purchase at Ticketek.

Ts&Cs: Postal addresses are only used for mailing tickets to winners. Tickets include entry to the Australian Garden Show Sydney only – valid any day from 5–8 September 2013. Visitors must be over 18 to visit the Lindeman’s Open Garden.

Australia’s Longest Reserve Table by Jacob’s Creek

Being such the multicultural country, Australia and its people are rich with stories of provenance; whether you’ve come from a different country, state, town or even suburb to Sydney.

In celebration of Sydney’s rich cultural provenance story, Jacob’s Creek and celebrity chef Pete Evans are hosting Australia’s Longest Reserve Table on Saturday, 27 July 2013 featuring a long table of hundreds of guests – and you can be a part of it.

The lunch will take place in front of the Welcome Wall at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Pyrmont, which stands in honour of all those who have migrated from countries around the world to Australia. Sydney guests are invited to prepare and bring a dish that represents their culture and to share their provenance story with hundreds of other food and wine lovers.

Celebrity Chef Pete Evans and Jacob's Creek winemaker Steve Clarkson
(Image courtesy of Open Haus)

Ambassador for Jacob’s Creek Reserve – a premium range of Jacob’s Creek from Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and Coonawarra in South Australia – Pete Evans, said, "Australians love cooking and sharing their food with friends and family. The great thing about the dishes which we prepare is that they are often influenced by where we’re from and our cultural heritage. Every dish tells a story about the person who has prepared it."

Louis Cheng from Jacob’s Creek Reserve said, "Provenance defines who you are and where you come from and, similarly our Reserve wines convey the characteristics from the regions where they are grown – being from Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Coonawarra."

"We look forward to sharing our wine and our story at Australia’s Longest Reserve Table, as well as hearing from hundreds of others about how their heritage and culture have influenced their passion for food and wine."

Win a place for you and a friend at Australia’s Longest Reserve Table on Saturday, 27 July 2013!

Jacob’s Creek is giving three Food, Booze and Shoes readers the chance to win a place at Australia’s Longest Reserve Table with a friend. Lunch and matching wine (Jacob’s Creek Reserve, of course) will be provided by Jacob’s Creek.

Jacob’s Creek Reserve Table 
Where: Welcome Wall, Wharf 7, 58 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
When: Saturday 27 July 2013, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

For your chance to win email foodboozeshoes@gmail.com with your full name and a contact phone number, and tell us in 25 words or less your favourite family dish and the story or history behind it.

Entries must be received by 10.00pm (AEST) on Tuesday, 24 July 2013. Three winners will be announced on Wednesday morning, 25 July 2013 and will be contacted with invites to the event. Note contact phone numbers will only be used for the purpose of contacting winners.

If you don’t win, you can still try for a place at Australia’s Longest Reserve Table and have the opportunity to share your provenance by bringing your favourite family dish to the event. Jacob’s Creek will provide the entrée, salads, desserts and Reserve wines from its South Australia wine regions to complement every dish. Entries are open here now until 25 July 2013.

Jacob’s Creek is one of Australia’s leading wine brands, offering quality contemporary Australian wine styles. The brand was first launched in 1976 and is named after a creek that runs through the renowned Barossa Valley wine region in South Australia.

Jacob’s Creek is made by Orlando Wines which was founded by Johann Gramp after he planted his first vines on the banks of Jacob’s Creek in 1847 and thus began a tradition of winemaking over 165 years ago.

Caffeine hits: Win The Australian Coffee Guide 2013

For a lot of Australians, coffee’s not just an eyelid-lifter – it’s a way of life. Coffee culture differs between states, and even suburbs, so The Australian Coffee Guide 2013 – featuring reviews and ratings from all over the country – is a handy travel companion for coffee connoisseurs in the Australian “bean scene”.

The Australian Coffee Guide 2013
(Image courtesy of Piccolo PR)

The Australian Coffee Guide 2013 founders, Izaac Trpeski and Megan Rullis, embarked on a pilgrimage around Australia to identify 100 of the best coffees in the country, included in the guide using an evaluative grading system.

Cafés that appear in the guide have been selected based on their coffees' body, crème, aroma, acidity, temperature, roasting and subtle nuances, with food, atmosphere and ambience omitted.

“We appreciate people have competing coffee preferences," says Rullis. "Some opt for a mild taste, others prefer an acidic kick. Our guide uses a consistent judging method for individuals to source a coffee that’s right for them”.

Win one of three copies of The Australian Coffee Guide 2013 

Food, Booze and Shoes is giving away three copies of The Australian Coffee Guide 2013, with thanks to Piccolo PR.

To win, simply email foodboozeshoes @ gmail.com with your answer to the question below (please include your mailing address – note: this will only be used for the purpose of sending prizes to winners):

“What is the best coffee experience you’ve ever had?” 

Giveaway entries must be received by 9.00pm AEST on Sunday, 2 June 2013. Winners will be selected based on the most interesting, passionate answers and will be announced on Monday, 3 June 2013 here and on Twitter. Giveaway open to Australian addresses only.

Movie ticket giveaway: Step Up To The Plate

"To serve customers and give them the happiness they've come looking for, you have to understand the power of cooking. The strength of a restaurant is its soul."
- Michel Bras, father to Sebastien Bras

So says one of Europe's most celebrated three-star Michelin chefs. In cinemas from 29 November, Step Up To The Plate (Entre les Bras) is a film that follows the story of the Bras family and restaurant over three generations in southern France.

Step Up To The Plate (Entre les Bras)
(Image courtesy of Curious Film and TM Publicity)

"The story of the Bras is that of a family, a place, and the handing-down from generation to generation. We inevitably have a relationship with the place we live in and with our forefathers, as well as a sense of wonder at elsewhere. It's a coherent, uncomplicated whole." - Sebastien Bras, son to Michel Bras

"It's above all a film about the relationship between a father and his son. But I think the question is well defined thanks to cooking, which is at the heart of the filial relationship - after all, we feed our children, don't we?"
- Paul Lacoste, writer and director of Step Up To The Plate (Entre les Bras)

Win one of 10 double passes to see Step Up To The Plate!

Food, Booze and Shoes is giving away 10 double passes to see Step Up To The Plate, with thanks to Curious Distribution and TM Publicity.

To enter the giveaway, email  foodboozeshoes @ gmail . com (without the spaces) answering the below:

"Name three emotions you expect and want to experience when dining in a restaurant."

Giveaway closes on Tuesday, 27 November 2012 at 8.30pm AEST. Food, Booze and Shoes will randomly select and notify winners on the same day. Winners have 48 hours to provide postal details to receive their passes.

Terms & conditions
Giveaway only open to Australian residents. Postal details will be used for the purposes of sending the giveaway tickets only.
Passes not valid Saturdays after 5pm, public holidays or cinema discount days.
Not valid for Gold Class or Vmax at Event Cinemas, Greater Union, Birch Carroll & Coyle or Village Cinemas, Hoyts La Premiere, Directors Suite, Bean Bag Cinema, Xtremescreen, IMAX or special events, Regency Cinelounge, cinema Euroipa, hayden Cremorne orpheum, Roseville Cinema, State Cinema Hobart, Nova Deluxe, United Avalon or United Collaroy.
Valid even with No Free Ticket restrictions.

Sydney Bar Week ticket giveaway - two weeks to go

For the first time ever, Sydney Bar Week - the hallowed booze fest previously only open to bartenders and the drinks industry - is opening up to the general drinking public and it's set to be the biggest cocktail event in Australia.

A cocktail workshop at Sydney Bar Week
(Image courtesy of Spanton Media Group)

I love how they've described the event as for the professional and the passionate:

Professional: The talented, unsung heroes behind the bar who want to keep up-to-date on new trends, new brands and re-visit the old classics while learning a new thing or two. 

Passionate: Drinks enthusiasts who, although stand on the other side of the bar, appreciate the drinks industry and want to taste new products and learn more about the bar trade.

There are plenty of side events but the main show is Drinks Fest. It will be hosted at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay over two sessions (11am-3pm or 3.30pm-7.30pm) for the passionate public on Sunday, 23 September while the professional trade-only event happens on Monday, 24 September.

Win two entries to a Drinks Fest session on Sunday, 23 September!

Food, Booze and Shoes is giving you the chance to win yourself and a drinking buddy entry to a session of Drinks Fest on Sunday, 23 September (valued at $50), with thanks to Spanton Media Group.

Leave a comment answering the question below:

"What is the most important attribute of a really good cocktail bar?"

And then email foodboozeshoes @ gmail . com (without the spaces) your and your guest's full name, referencing your answer/comment. There are 5 double entries to be won - good luck! (Otherwise you can buy tickets here).

Terms & conditions
ID is required on entry at the event. Guests must be over the age of 21.
Giveaway entrants must comment and email names to  foodboozeshoes @ gmail . com by 10.30pm AEST Wednesday, 19 September.
Food, Booze and Shoes will select 5 winners on Thursday morning, 20 September and will notify winners by email, in the blog comments, on Facebook and Twitter.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi movie pass giveaway

Without doubt one of the best food documentary films I've ever seen, Jiro Dreams of Sushi will be released across Australia by Curious Distribution on 10 May 2012.

The film stars Jiro Ono, an eighty-something sushi master of the unassuming 3-Michelin starred, 10-seat restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo's Ginza.

Jiro Ono (centre) and the Sukiyabashi Jiro team
featured in Jiro Dreams of Sushi
(Image courtesy of Curious Distribution)

Even if you don't necessarily like sushi, you're going to love the film's tantalising cinematography; Ono's pursuit of the perfect piece of sushi; the insight into the strict measures of the kitchen; and the poignant depiction of Ono's relationship with his eldest son, Yoshikazu.

And let me tell you, you're going to leave the cinema hungry, particularly for seriously high quality sushi.

Win one of five double passes to see Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Thanks to Curious Distribution and TM Publicity, Food, Booze and Shoes is giving away five in-season double passes to see Jiro Dreams of Sushi (in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth or Canberra).

Just Like my Facebook page and answer this question in the comments to the Jiro Dreams of Sushi post:

"What would you most like to do on a trip to Tokyo?"

It doesn't have to be food related - the most interesting answers, selected by me, will win (it's also a bit of pre-Tokyo trip research for me). 頑張って!　がんばって！　Gambatte!

Ts&Cs
Giveaway only open to Australian residents and closes on 13 May at 8:59pm AEST, when I will announce the five winners on my Twitter and Facebook page. Winners will be required to provide postal details within 24 hours. These details will be used for the purposes of sending the giveaway tickets only.

Passes only valid at Chauvel Cinema, Palace Centro, Palace Nova Eastend, Cinema Paradiso or Greater Union Manuka. Passes are not valid on public holidays, cinema discount days or Saturdays after 5pm. Subject to availability.

Foodie movie ticket giveaway: The Trip

Two friends, one week, six restaurants, and the journey of a lifetime. It probably sounds like an awesome trip to most of us, but you can trust the English to make something funny of it - restaurant critiques, celebrity impersonations and pure English comedy.

With the Sydney Film Festival wrapping up just last week, and having caught both El Bulli: Cooking in Progress and Jiro Dreams of Sushi food documentaries (the former deplorable in comparison to the genuinely heartfelt latter), I'm on a foodie movie roll.

The Trip, starring lookalikes Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, directed by Michael Winterbottom, is a British comedy about the importance of friendship, fame and great food, according to Madman Entertainment.

About The Trip
When Steve Coogan is commissioned by the food supplement of a Sunday newspaper to review half a dozen restaurants, he decides to mix work with pleasure and plans a trip around the north with his food-loving American girlfriend. But when she decides to leave him and return to the States, Steve is faced with a week of meals for one, not quite the trip he had in mind.

Reluctantly, he calls Rob Brydon, the only person he can think of who will be available. Never one to turn down a free lunch, Rob agrees and together they set off for a culinary adventure.

Over the course of several meals at different restaurants in and around the Lake District, Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales, the ultimate odd couple find themselves debating the big questions of life over a series of culinary delights.

The Trip opens in select cinemas around Australia on 30 June. See the movie trailer here.

Win a double pass to see The Trip
With thanks to Nixco on behalf of Madman Entertainment, I've got 5 double passes to give away to see The Trip.

To enter the giveaway, 'Like' my Facebook page - here - and leave a comment on the Wall answering this question:

What is your dream foodie/eating destination, and why?

Entries will close on Tuesday, 28 June 2011 at 9.30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). Giveaway open to Australian residents only. Ticket conditions apply.

Winners will be selected based on creativity and how far your suggestion makes it to my personal 'want to do' list.

Winners will be notified via Facebook and will be required to provide postal details within 24 hours. These details will be used for the purposes of sending the giveaway tickets only.

Tickets are valid from 30 June 2011, Monday to Friday only. Excludes public holidays, cinema discount days, Gold Class cinemas. Not valid at Event Cinemas, Greater Union Cinemas, Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinemas, Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne and Dendy Premium Cinemas in Canberra. Not valid at Dendy Premium Cinemas in Canberra. Not valid at the Hobart State Cinema. Not valid with any other offer.

Plenty of choccies = giveaway

In the world of chocolate, or at least in Willy Wonka’s world, anything is possible. While I’m still waiting for a spicy pepper variety or dark and milk blend to hit supermarket shelves, in the meantime Cadbury’s Bar of Plenty will more than suffice.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Bar of Plenty

Nothing to do with New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty (although an easy typo could get you there), Cadbury’s latest Dairy Milk range offering is said to match “unconventional ingredients”. Perhaps I myself am just unconventional, but I don’t see a great deal atypical or uncommon about either flavour. Strawberry shortcake and mixed nuts anyone?

Nonetheless, I’m not complaining with a few freebies in the mail to taste test. The ‘Berry Fruit and Vanilla Shortcake’ flavour is packed with both ingredients, in addition to the sweet Cadbury milk chocolate. The shortcake maintains its crunch and flavour (nothing particularly new), while the berries are a different story.

I’m yet to identify the berries – maybe you can (scroll down for giveaway details). Ensconced in the chocolate; they’re thoroughly dried and hence a bit chewy, quite sweet, completely seedless, red-ish in hue and slightly elongated in shape. They look like not-so-dry goji berries, but they don’t really taste like them. The ingredients unhelpfully list them as ‘berry fruits’.

I seem to know a lot of people who don’t like nuts in their chocolate – all the more for me, really. The ‘Roast Hazelnut and Honey Roast Cashews’ is an extension, I suppose, of the hazelnut Dairy Milk bars which are one of my favourite varieties. The cashews don't seem to have a distinctive flavour like the hazelnuts, but its honey coating gives it a crackly texture in addition to the crunchy nut.

Chocolate giveaway!

You can have a taste of these two new flavours too, with 10 packs of the two 190g blocks of Cadbury Dairy Milk ‘Bar of Plenty’ chocolate to give away. Leave a comment answering this question:

“What two unconventional ingredients would you like to see matched with Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate?”

Then send an email with your name and a copy of your comment to foodboozeshoes [at] gmail [dot] com

Please note your email will only be used so the product provider can send the choccie samples to you. By entering this giveaway, you consent to your email being provided to the product provider for this reason only. This giveaway is only open to residents of Australia.

I’ll choose what I think are the 10 best flavour combinations – so nothing including insects or arachnids, please – and these 10 readers will win the two packs of Cadbury Dairy Milk ‘Bar of Plenty’. Entries to this giveaway will close at 4:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, 12 September 2010.

Get thinking about your plentiful bars – one entry per person.