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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11 posts tagged airports
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/
Edamame - a yummy snack from Itacho, and you can score it for free at Itacho Sushi for being a part of our online elite. Tell our staff you say the offer on our blog and use the unlock code Fresh-On-The-Go. (By the way, we love Instagram at Itacho Sushi). Please note that Itacho will be closed for a renovation from October 18 - November 5th, 2011.
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
A Montreux Martini?
My, my it’s Martini-time! In the spirit of our two-for-one happy hour at Montreux Jazz Cafe at Sydney International Airport we thought we’d share our recipe and a complete how to video on making the perfect Espresso Martini! It’s the drink you always order when out and about and can now make at home with ease. Cheers to that!
Ingredients
1. I freshly brewed espresso coffee
2. 45mL Absolut Vodka
3. 45mL Kahlua liquor
4. 1 tablespoon of sugar syrup
Method
Chill a martini glass with ice. Put aside. Over a filled Boston shaker of ice, add coffee, vodka, Kahlua and sugar syrup. Shake vigorously. Prepare the martini glass and strain mixture into the glass. Garnish with three coffee beans and enjoy!
Montreux Jazz Cafe is located in front of Gate C (Qantas First Class Check In Area), before customs and security. The Cafe first up it’s espresso machine every morning from 6AM and serves until late. Added benefit the lovely cocktails is the Montreux Jazz Cafe music. sourced from exclusive footage from the legendary Swiss music festival.
We’ve got Football Fever.
A serious case of it.
The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner and after the Wallabies redeemed themselves with a convincing win over South Africa’s Springboks over the weekend we’re feeling confident (Hush now! These B-team utterances about the ‘Boks need not be brought up here!).
It’s not long before we’ll be donning the green and gold jerseys and heading to Sydney International Airport with a ticket to New Zealand in hand and when we get there we’ll be stopping off at the Danks Street Depot cafe (which is just before security at T1) to let it be known to Jared Ingersoll that Australia is the greatest rugby playing nation on earth…contrary to what he claims in this little video!!
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie….Oi, Oi, Oi!
Egg-ceptional Travel…
Ok, I’m putting it out there…I think dinner and lunch are overrated. In my personal opinion breakfast is, hands down, the greatest meal of the day. Those people that claim they never eat breakfast or they aren’t hungry in the mornings furrow my brow. These poor misguided people really don’t know what they are missing out on. Breakfast truly is where it is at. What other meal allows you to start with a sweet buttery goodness of a croissant or flaky Danish, then progress to warm slow food and finish with fruit and not be given the guilty look that accompanies dessert indulgence.
You might think this a big call and perhaps it is an outlandish statement but I’m confident making this claim because Jared Ingersoll, sustainable foodie extraordinare of Danks Street Depot is with me. He’s so crazy about breakfast that he has put it on the menu all day long.
All. Day. Breakfast. These three words together make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
So for all those folks who don’t get around to eating until lunch time you are in luck, you can get the greatest eggs going at lunch. For those who get cravings for eggs at dinner-time, don’t feel awkward or embarrassed about it, Jared knows where you are coming from and had got you covered.
At Dank Street Depot at Sydney International Airport the eggs are not just good - they’re exceptional. In their natural and organic state they resemble smooth cool pebbles with hues of earth tones that are appealing to the eye but even more seductive on the plate.
He uses Cornucopia Farms fresh bio-dynamic eggs sourced locally in the Hunter Valley that deliver an amazing flavor experience - just as nature intended. At Danks Street Depot you can enjoy eggs poached, creamed (scrambled eggs taken to a whole new sensational level), eggs and hash and so much more.
Tell us about your breakfast experience and send us a photo at facebook.com.au/sspaustralia or on Twitter @DanksStARPT.
Travel Better!
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?
