Travel Bites
This blog is a collaborative effort and all about food and experiences around Sydney International Airport. Consider this your guide to the hidden gastronomic delights you might otherwise never discover.
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Bucket my British Blue. Ready for Anything :) ps. His new hat pic on my page
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those two things are all I want in my belly at this very moment.
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83 posts tagged Australia
FROM WORKSHOPS TO FLASH MOBS - HOW LIFE HAPPENS IN AIRPORTS
Airports are transforming our culture and countries. From cultural experience workshops and big-screen digital video art to flash mobs - airports world wide are becoming cityports and cultural hubs, and are shaping up to be the center of our civilization.
“Airports are changing our sense of time, distance, style, and even the way cities are built and business is done.” (Alastair Gordon, “Naked Airport: A Cultural History of the World’s Most Revolutionary Structure ”)
No longer a cultural void, a non-place deprived of ethnic and national symbols - a territory in limbo. Airports today are very different from what they were decades past - place where the moment one passes through immigration into the departure lounge, one is immediately removed from the impediments of society.
We are all too familiar with ‘third culture’ that has long been characteristic of departure lounges. Pidgin language and iconography, code of conduct, security procedures, relativity of time and space are what we immediately adapt to when entering an airport. The impersonality of it all is what creates the sense of freedom and cosmopolitanism we experience during air travel procedures.
“Icons signifying toilets, banks, duty-free shops, departure gates, customs and so on are almost uniform in airports all over the world. Their language is largely non-verbal and easy to learn; it is accessible in a manner reminiscent of traffic signs.” In Limbo, Notes on the Culture of Airports
The number one enemy of all air travelers - boredom - used to be alleviated by shopping for luxury goods and dining on rare foods in otherwise sterile environment. Nowadays there is much more to it. As mentioned above - airports are more often than not turned into cityports, miniature cities even. Apart from hospitality services, offer activities such as golfing, taking a class or participating in workshops, preserving heritage; and locations such as swim-up cocktail bars, bedrooms by hour, cinemas and lounges dedicated to video art.
A decade or two ago, social anthropologists came to a conclusion that airports can not be considered microcosms as its main users - air passengers - pass through. In the 21st century though, things are changing and airports are becoming destinations as well as serving their purpose as transit territory. To attract more attention airport boards are coming up with some pretty creative happenings, like flash mobs.
A flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and sometimes seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, or artistic expression.
The first flash mob was created in Manhattan by senior editor of Harper’s Magazine in 2003 and took place in Macy’s department store.
The latest flash mob that proved to be a big hit on YouTube, was organized in Dubai Airport (DXB) and has attracted over 700 thousand views to date. Malaysia Airlines in Kuala Lumpur International Airport successfully orchestrated a flash mob showcasing the talents 100 singers and dancers in Arrivals Terminal 3 in January 2012, the theme of the event was “Missing you” and it lasted 10 minutes.
Will a flash mob happen in Sydney International Airport, remains to be seen, but we certainly hope so.
Aussie Customs Strike Set to Cause Delays
Australian Customs and Border Protection employees are set to walk off their jobs due to salary negotiations with Australian Government hitting another impasse. The strike will last up to 24 hours and take place in every major airport in Australia - delays can be anticipated at Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, South Australia and Brisbane Airports.
The strike in Sydney International Airport will start on Thursday 27th of October from midnight.
The strike is described as “the last resort” for the hard working Customs and Border Protection officers that carry on a very difficult job with a high level of responsibility to associated with their role in Border Security. The airport staff and Customs employees are thinking of the passengers as much as ever though and are trying their best to cause as little inconvenience as possible.
The biggest impact will be on the arrivals side of the busy Sydney International Airport as incoming travelers have historically experienced large queues and incurred hours of waiting unable to complete immigration formalities and luggage inspections - services directly administrated by Australia Customs and Border protection employees.
Family and friends coming to meet and greet the arriving passengers should be aware that there could be an extraordinary amount of time lapsing between when the plane is declared LANDED and when guests will wearily exit at Gates A - D downstairs at Sydney International Airport arrivals concourse.
If you are picking up passengers arriving during these Customs strike times here are few helpful hints to make waiting more palatable.
Say “TEXT ME”. - Ask your arriving passengers to send you a friendly SMS when they’ve cleared Immigration. This means that they are about 30 minutes away from surfacing at the exit doors we know historically from experience. Australian Customs and Quarantine are very thorough and passengers can anticipate queueing time for their luggage to pass through the x-ray machine.
Have a Champagne Breakfast: Head up the escalators and turn left. Walk for approximately one minute past the Express Lane door at Departures to theMontreux Jazz Café and experience the only Breakfast Buffet paired exclusive concert footage of Sting, Carlos Santana, Adele, the legendary guitarist Buddy Guy or NERD filmed on location in Switzerland at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Montreux Jazz Cafe is by far the liveliest cafe on the landside (GATE C Qantas Check In/Departures at Terminal 1) and opens at 6AM til 10PM. (Free wifi and power-jacks to charge your phone are also easily accessible and live music Tue-Sat at Happy Hour)
Go Local: Try anything and everything at Jared Ingersoll’s iconic Danks Street Depot. This iconic Sydney eatery is located just up the escalators from Arrivals. Turn Right and follow the signs to Gate H Check-In counters. Located in front of the Quicksilver store, Danks Street Depot at the airport offers all day breakfast made with bio-dynamic locally sourced eggs as well great Australian and New Zealand wines and beer at reasonable prices ($8 for a Glass of Chain of Ponds and $5.50 for a Coopers from the tap) with a complimentary serve of Jared’s Very Good Nuts when you “check in” on Foursquare. There are several snacks, sandwiches and salads to choose from all made fresh in an open kitchen. Open from 6AM with live music Wed - Sat from 6PM.
For official information on the Customs and Border Protection Strike visit: http://bit.ly/rXjwci and http://www.customs.gov.au/
Mel Brown: Long-Hauled & Looking Good
Look at this picture….
How exactly does she do it?
This morning in Australia top tweets reported the former Spice Girl Melanie Brown’s arrival after a long haul flight from Los Angeles. How on earth does she come all that way, sprongs in tow and look this good?
Pens poised, we ponder today as to what her flight regime must be like. She is positively oozing beauty, energy and confidence after fourteen hours of recycled oxygen and packaged food. We guess her secret is to travel with a gaggle of wardrobe assistants, make-up artists, sky nannies etc.
Not rolling like Scary Spice with an entourage?
Here are a few tips from the our friends on the web on how to arrive after a long-haul with a touch of glamour:
1. According to comments on the Beauty Care blog lots of sleep and a good moisturizer are two essentials to looking great when meeting the paparazzi apres customs.
2. Frequent long-haul traveller @digitalgodess on Twitter believes that looking good will make you feel better. She recommends for flights over 6 hours an “in-flight ensemble” of loose comfortable clothing of 100% breathable fibers not dissimilar to space pyjamas given as amenities on premium international carriers like Qantas and Emirates in Business and First Class. Air is at a premium at 30,000 ft and the skin needs to be able to breathe. Also, in tight spaces accidents and spills happen so having a second set of clothes that you change out of at the end of the flight is always a good rule to follow.
(NOTE: Store your clean clothes - what you wore at at departure - in a plastic bag and in the overhead compartment to prevent creasing leaving them easily accessible for landing. The plastic bag will prevent exposure to the recycled air and keep your clothes from smelling like a microwave meal and likewise, restore your inflight gear in aforementioned plastic bag to ensure that it does not taint your carry-on luggage.)
She also recommends wearing two pairs of custom fitted medical grade compression socks sold by at dispensing chemists or professional pharmacies. (Yes they are expensive but over time will prove worth it as they greatly reduce swollen feet and ankles and then you like Ms. Mel Brown can saunter through customs in your Christian Louboutins as shown above).
3. To smell as fresh as you look, pack a small parcel of disposable wet wipes (they seem to work well on children), and dab on a small amount perfume or body spray.
4. Drink water, and lots of it. Hydration aids in a healthy glow, and remembering to ‘start before you depart’ ensures you glow when you go, go, go.
Have you got any tips on how to avoid the not so good long-haul look and be a little more like Mel B?
@JenFreshOnTheGo
Noted in Singapore and Hong Kong as a place for great sushi at a great price, Itacho has catered to many guests and staff at Sydney International Airport over the past twelve months under to supervision of SSP Australia Catering Executive Chef and resident Itacho chef, Yoshi who culinary skills on the sushi bench features in this video.
After a year and hundreds of hand rolls Itacho Sushi located after customs and security at Sydney International Airport will be closed for a temporary refurbishment from September 26, 2011.
Traveling seafood lovers can still find their pre-flight fixe at other SSP fresh food venues including the Caviar House & Prunier seafood bar which offers Australian delicacies fresh from the seafood markets including prawns, oysters and smoked salmon as well as an imported range of fine caviar, champagnes and signature Balik Beer sold exclusively at Caviar House counters.
For those enjoying small plate tapas-type dining and the unique second atmosphere the banquettes of the Bambini Wine Room are sure to make a tranquil pre-travel haven and offers fresh prawns and oysters pared with a glass of wine for a special price. Both are located after customs and security check points in Terminal 1 - Departures.
Sydney International Airport proclaimed “Delicious”.
Sydney International Airport was awarded awarded the world’s best airport food and beverage operator at the inaugural Airport Food & Beverage Awards in January 2011.
Sydney International Airport claimed top honors winning best overall airport food and beverage offer (10-25 million passengers).
With over 20 eateries before Customs ideal for those wanting to spend time with friends and family before setting off on their adventure; the airport also has on offer world class eateries after Customs that provide the perfect place to relax and treat yourself to a gourmet meal ahead of a long journey.
For those looking for an alternative to airline food, there is also an array of appetizing ‘grab & go’ options to enjoy at the gate on on the long haul flights.
You can satisfy a craving for Japanese at Itacho Sushi or Asakaze, enjoy yum cha at China Grand Restaurant, treat yourself at Silk Road or Sahara Grill; feast on authentic Italian at Rossini’s or Trattoria Prego or discover some of Sydney’s favourite drinking and dining establishments including Danks Street Depot and Bambini Wine Room.
The airport also offers a plethora of choice as it relates to personal budgets and palates. Families gravitate towards the open air kitchen, intimate seating and sharing options (think pizza) at Trattoria Prego whilst the urbane sophisticate can often been seen grazing on the freshest and finest seafood at the Caviar House & Prunier.
Mentionables: Before Customs …
Danks Street Depot – One of Sydney’s premium dining and drinking establishments, practicing sustainable and ethical principles in sourcing raw ingredients to create delicious and nutritious cuisine. (kid friendly)
Montreux Jazz Café – offers customers a chance to immerse themselves in the exciting world of the Montreux Jazz Festival while enjoying breakfast, lunch, dinner or coffee. (Popular with local airport staff and renown for the breakfast buffet and the BB King Burger - a great value at around $12!)
After Customs …
Seafood Bar - Caviar House & Prunier -This internationally renown restaurant opened its doors for the first time in Australia at Sydney Airport, serving the best seafood the world has to offer. (Fine Caviar is available and can be packed for long haul flights and make perfect gifts)
Trattoria Prego – A classic Italian venue offering classic Italian flare including an extensive eat in menu and mouth watering deli options and the freshest display case of salads, sandwiches and pastries. (Intimate seating, free wifi, power jack at tables)
Itacho Sushi Bar – Itacho is the only full service authentic place to get made to order sushi and sashimi. The chefs are Japanese, and the menu offers hot and cold dishes, nigiri and tempura. (TIP: If you are in a hurry, grab a few Bento Boxes from the cases - they are made fresh on-site and will give you something manageable to eat on the plane or at the gate.)
Bambini Wine Room – The Bambini Wine Room continues its tradition of delighting discerning Sydneysiders with great food and award winning wines. Try one of the special Australian wines on offer and the ambiance. Convenient are the power-jacks, banquette seating and free wifi spots. Good for coffee and meals.
Godiva – one of the world’s leading luxury chocolatiers offering deliciously sweet hand made treats including sublime hot chocolate. (everyone loves Chocolate!)
Thanks to Travel Troll’s orginal post, we’re excited that food at Sydney Airport has gone from strength to strength.
Whet your appetite at www.sydneyairportshopping.com.au
Sydney International Airport has a great “yellow jacket” brigade of helpful folks. If you are in need of a specific amenity like free public showers, taxi queues, where to get visa photographs, etc. this cheerful crew are certainly “in the know” and very friendly.
For those armed with a smartphone or laptop you can also and alternatively tweet the “go-to gal” @jenfreshonthego » She is known to work a few miracles, recommend ways and places to enjoy unique Sydney International Airport and also connect you to special Foursquare deals, free wi-fi hotspots, places to recharge your device and keep you up to date with airport happenings.
What is the friendliest Airport you’ve ever experienced?
Bouillabaisse (Love it or Leave it?)
Bouillabaisse is the most famous fish stew of the Mediterranean made with cooked fish, shellfish and vegetables. To give the dish zeal a variety of herbs and spices are used.
The soup’s most distinguishing characteristics gives the soup what it is widely famous for, soupe d’or, soup of gold is derived from garlic, orange peel, basil, bay leaf, fennel and saffron.
Trattoria Prego’s bouillabaisse has a mix of fresh Kingfish, pippis, prawns and mussels.
Do you want this bouillabaisse to feature on the menu at Trattoria Prego?
Love it or Leave it?
We have it on good authority that seafood and veggies are good to have before a flight. It’s recommended that you have a small, light and warm meal before you departing and this bowl of goodness is just one of the fantastic options on the menu at Trattoria Prego - Sydney International Airport’s only clay oven al fresco eatery.
With all the nutrients from the veggies and the fact that seafood contains omega 3 and loads of protein, we think that a visit to Trattoria Prego is a must before your long haul flight!
Love Traveling to Sydney Australia come see the specials on our Fan Page for discounts you can use! http://on.fb.me/eHCRud
