There are many places of worship, but for the foodie our temples of gourmet happiness have been far and few between. We’ve stalked the best farmers’ markets and independent retailers from across Sydney, avidly pursuing the next hot tip off: so here it is…and it’s called Saporium.
It’s a gourmet paradise of curated artisans, providores, retailers and unique talents from across our land. Bring a big bag and an appetite as you spend a morning in a progressive food experience. First grab a coffee at ‘Welcome Dose’, opt for a seasonal blend of Tanzania/Brazil roast.
Watch the drama unfold at Grain Bakery as hot loaves come out of the ovens; croissants, baguettes, pies and pastries can all be snapped up. Jump into a Vive Cooking class. Wholefoods House is the spot for stocking the healthiest, most nourishing produce from earth friendly farms. We challenge you to stop eating Hand ‘n’ Hoe organic macadamia nut butter, Tassie Miellerie unheated honey will turn you into Winnie the Pooh as one pawful is never enough and rare Tasmanian sea salt are just some of our ‘scoop’s as you ‘weigh’ into the DIY section of dry goods.
It’s enough to give you an appetite. You could skip breakfast and go straight to desert. The Choc Pot’s (TPC) sinful array of wicked waffles, choc fondues and hot choc drinks is just begging for double dipping. Instead, grab yourself a comfy padded chair with Parisian flair at 5th Earl. Choose from a menu spanning ‘Rise n shine’ – we loved the baked eggs with 8 hour slow cooked lamb, or the crunchy zucchini and corn fritters served with perfectly poached eggs, Spanish ham and asparagus. Those more ‘Peckish’ will devour the black rice salad, so popular it made it onto the main menu. If you’re really ‘Hungry’, this is the best soft-shell crab burger in town thanks to the special blend of Asian slaw and horseradish.
As you leave, don’t miss out on Kingsmore Meats – the open kitchens build a sense of trust and delight with its free-range, pasture-raised produce beautifully displayed. Check out their fridges filled with stocks, sauces, cured goods and the most amazing Lillie’s Q sauces. We loved The Carolina.
Raise your Grain six seed loaf, praise your Chocpot honeycomb waffnuts and give into your Wholefoods House bio dynamic rain fed rice…we now have all our prayers answered under one roof – a new emporium not only to feed our gourmet souls but tastebuds too.
Saporium
61-71 Mentmore Ave, Rosebery
Saporium is open 7 days 8am – 9pm
You CANNOT leave this restaurant (yes we know it’s shouty capitals) without trying their mind blowing, life altering signature dish. It looks like a tumble of juicy calamari; spear one, lift it up to the candle light and admire the masterpiece…of cauliflower! It’s a floret of crispy, caramalised heaven due to a red wine vinegar reduction. It was so good we ordered another! A delightful dish of tiny fresh spatzle and fresh local prawns is another showstopper with its luxurious egg yolk dressing. Give the cocktail menu a workout with an espresso and walnut martini or choose a Stara Rakija apricot aperitif.
The bell boys outside are the only clue, its then up the stairs and turn left. Jaws drop, heads go skyward. Eight rose coloured marble pillars soar 3 floors up reaching the glass art deco atrium streaming daylight into a sumptuous lounge filled with every kind of seating. Cherry velvet chairs, leather readers and dusky pink chaise lounges are set against a backdrop of marble, metal and coloured glass. At the far end is a majestic bar. You could be forgiven for thinking a group of flappers in their beaded head caps and glamorous outfits could burst through the doors. The scale is breathtaking.
Upstairs Deluxe Suite 418 reveals itself slowly. The oversize doors, high ceilings and dark moody woods blend art deco with contemporary design. The lounge is artfully decorated with paintings, a bar and two sofas. A narrow corridor wraps around the suite into another room dominated by huge kingsize bed and softly curving furniture. The bathroom is a reminder of a different era with white and maroon rectangular subway tiles with black taps and fixtures. Luxury touches such as Appelles goodies and the substitution of scratchy waffle bathrobes to a soft fluffy one will have you spellbound.
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