Overview
Jason Roberts, the renowned chef and author, is on a mission to put Bondi back together; what better way to do it than over a plate of (very) good food? In news that has us salivating and scrambling to clear our calendars, Roberts has taken over Mexican eatery, Calita, for a limited-time culinary event with views of the beach.
Roberts isn't on this mission alone, with cake creator Elisa Pietranonio who has also contributed to carefully crafting a menu with the intention of connecting the community in an intimate communal dinner. On October 12 and 19, the pop-up dinners at Calita will feature communal tables, share platters and free-flowing wine and mezcal.
The food is a showcase of fresh Mexican flavours made with the highest quality local and sustainable ingredients. One of the hero dishes features wild caught Australian lobster and avocado tostadas (scooped straight out of the shell with crisp tortilla chips). Then there's shared platters of barramundi espache and braised beef cheeks served with tortillas so you can make your own soft tacos.
But make sure you save room for dessert. The chilli chocolate tarts and Pietranonio's deliciously balanced cinnamon rice horachata with pineapple are both pretty special.
You'll be able to wash it down with wines from Geyer Wine Co and Gentle Folk, two sustainable wineries from South Australia, as well as Calita's signature cocktails and mezcal offering (because what's a true Mexican feast without margaritas and mezcal?).
This collaboration intends to heal the still-open wounds of the pandemic and months of isolation. Milpa Collective co-founder Liber Osorio says, "After the pandemic, we noticed some negative impacts in the social interactions of people in general and in Bondi particularly. We think it's important to come together as neighbours and try to bring back some of this sense of community to our public spaces."
It's not too late to get a seat at the table, with two sessions remaining, on October 12 and 19. Tickets are $149 pp, and bookings are essential, with limited space available.