Melbourne Cup at QT Sydney

Overview

You may not be in Flemington for the Melbourne Cup, but that doesn't mean you can't dress up and seriously indulge. And Sydney's QT Hotel has just the luxurious lunch for it. To celebrate 'the race that stops a nation', Gowings Bar & Grill is hosting a special, rather decadent Melbourne Cup lunch.

You'll be greeted with a glass of G.H. Mumm bubbly before sitting down to a delicious three-course menu. For $125pp you'll be feasting on a choice of beer-steamed prawn cocktails, wood baked oysters 'Marchetti style', salt-baked baby beetroot salad with ashed chevre, and that's just to start. Mains are decadent territory, from provincial wood roasted black truffle chicken to pepper 'steak au poivre' with Gowings' red and green whole peppercorn sauce, and woodfired barbecue spice crusted calamari. For dessert? Tiramisu "Classic But My Way, Served at the Table, Loads of Alcohol, Espresso, Marscapone". Nice.

You don't have to worry about missing a single second of the Cup — there will be two large screens broadcasting live. Plus, there'll be lucky door and best dressed prizes, so fancy it up. Afterwards, channel all your post-race adrenaline into the afterparty on Gowings' second level in Gilt Lounge. There'll be sabrage demonstrations (opening a champagne bottle with a sword) by Danielle Bietola and tunes well into the night.

Don't want to commit to the full luncheon? Parlour Lane Roasters downstairs will be doing $10 glasses of Mumm with two screens broadcasting the race, surrounded by spring racing carnival-inspired installations in the heritage display cabinets by stylist Jane Frosh.

Bookings are essential, call (02) 8262 0062.