A Banquet Menu Under $100 for Every Occasion You May Encounter This Winter
Whether you're celebrating, catching up with mum and dad or heading out for date night, there's a set menu to keep you toasty this season.
A Banquet Menu Under $100 for Every Occasion You May Encounter This Winter
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Whether you're celebrating, catching up with mum and dad or heading out for date night, there's a set menu to keep you toasty this season.
Many of us find ourselves wanting to stay home a lot more during the winter months, but the rain and colder temps certainly don't stop our calendars from filling up with social events, do they? There's always a birthday, date night or long overdue catch up happening, so get out of those winter trackies and off the couch — it's time to eat something you haven't ordered from Deliveroo. And if you need even more reason to get off the couch, thanks to the Suncorp Platinum Credit Card*, you can earn points for every dollar you spend on everyday essentials like that birthday card you should probably get, that bouquet for their mum or the dinner you're about to plan.
Read on and add these five cosy eateries with set menus to your list — bonus: each spot will cost you less than $100 a head.
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If you’re after somewhere simple yet sophisticated for date night, this is it. This adored Chippendale eatery is renowned for its casual approach to fine dining and simple, homely dishes that appeal to all.
The set menu at Ester just scrapes into this list at $92 and includes eleven courses — but there’s the option to add a couple more if your bank account is feeling generous. But even without, the menu is always well rounded, currently featuring plates like roasted rock oysters, cured bonito with burnt lemon and duck fat and head chef Mat Lindsay’s famous blood sausage ‘sanga’. You won’t be leaving the building in any way wanting — what’s more romantic on date night than having to roll each other home?
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Maybe you just got that big promotion, or your birthday is coming up? Or perhaps you don’t need any reason at all to eat a simply enormous amount of food. Whatever the case, Barzaari should be on your list of places for a classic big group celebration meal.
The inner west restaurant offers Greek, Turkish, Cypriot and Lebanese cuisines, modernising the eastern Mediterranean feast while still paying respect to traditional recipes and cooking methods.
Once your group has settled into the chic exposed brick dining room (with warmth provided by the kitchen’s woodfire oven), you’ll only have one decision to make: how hungry are you? Barzaari has three different banquet options — a 9-course menu at $65 per person, a 10-course menu at $75 per person or the 12-course menu at $85 per person. We strongly advise you wear something with an elasticated waistband.
Image: Nikki To.
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This Surry Hills eatery may be less than a year old, but its simple, delicious fare and bright, uncomplicated interiors give an air of maturity and wisdom beyond its years. This makes sense — owner Tristan Rosier named the restaurant after his grandfather, whose greatest pleasure in life was sharing a meal with his beloved family and friends.
Arthur’s only dining option is a set banquet menu that changes with what’s in season — a purposeful decision intended to take the stress out of ordering, so you can make the most of your time with loved ones. It’s just $70 per head for around 11 courses, too. Arthur is the perfect spot to take your parents out for a long over-overdue catch-up, complete with seasonal dishes, bread baked in-house and a balanced list of easy drinking wines.
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Life gets far too busy; so when you miraculously find a free evening in all of your friends’ calendars, you best book a big catch-up dinner. General Chao’s is a top pick for a night like this — from the energetic atmosphere of the dining room to the ‘something for everyone’ nature of the brilliantly executed pan-Asian menu. XO sauce is the alpha and omega at Chao’s. There are several versions of varying flavours to choose from, plus it’s the key ingredient in the flavour-packed Chao’s fried rice, and it even features in a cocktail.
There are two banquet options here: the $66 menu offers three starters, two mains and the classic sides of stir-fried greens, charred corn and fried rice. The $88 menu offers an extra two starters and the same sides, but more mains, including grilled ‘XL’ laksa prawn and the mouthwatering 24-hour braised pork belly. Chao’s offers banquet menu for tables of four or more, so save this spot for that magic moment when all are free.
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Having a boozy long lunch on a weekend is one of life’s most wonderful gifts, is it not? Grabbing a close mate or two, your housemates, your mum, your nan — anyone you love having long chats with — and parking yourselves down to devour a silly amount of food and cocktails… it’s just an overall great time.
The lush Potts Point venue et.al has this concept down to a very fine art, offering a five-course, five-bev ‘long lunch’ menu for $74 a head. The experience begins with a brunch classic — smashed avo on toast with pine nuts and chilli jam — and ends with a roast beetroot and ricotta ravioli, finishing up with a flourless chocolate cake for dessert. Let’s put it this way: you probably won’t be desperate for dinner when you get home.
Seize the day, make your everyday moments count and get rewarded all the while with Suncorp.
Top image: General Chao by Cassandra Hannagan
