Lunch with Picasso: The Restaurant, Art Gallery of NSW

A jaunt from Sydney to Paris for a good dose of art and food may not always be feasible, but this summer, Sydney siders can take a trip to Europe without the jetlag.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is hosting Picasso Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso in Paris while the museum is closed for renovations. To complement the exhibition, The Restaurant, located within the Art Gallery has put together a Spanish-inspired Dine with Picasso lunch time menu.

Dine with Picasso menu

The Restaurant is set in a vast and contemporary dining room that gives an impression of space and light. Floor-to-ceiling windows maximise the magnificent views over the Royal Botanic Gardens and Woolloomooloo.

Dining area with water views

Views over Woolloomooloo

The kitchen

Lunch with Picasso is a two course Spanish inspired lunch with a glass of wine and entry to the Picasso exhibition. There is a choice of three entreés, three main courses and two desserts – all options combine summer flavours with colourful presentation on the plate.

Sardines with manchego crumbs, sorrel and radicchio

The sardine entrée has five tightly rolled sardine pieces on wilted radicchio, with the manchego crumbs adding flavour and texture to the fish. This is paired with a 2009 Albariño, “Vina 24” Raimat, a dry and medium-bodied white wine from Costers del Segre in Spain.

L – beef carpaccio                                                                   R – Heirloom tomato salad

The beef carpaccio is artfully presented with confit of lemon, nasturtium flower and goats curd cream, and paired with 2009 Granacha Tinta, “De Casta” Torres from Catalunya. The heirloom tomato salad with labneh and pomegranate paired is the lighter alternative and is paired with 2009 Verdejo, basa Blanco from Rueda in Spain.

Spanish mackerel

The pan-fried Spanish mackerel with braised pimento, confit of cuttlefish and fava beandish is a celebration of Spanish flavours. The fish is moist and flaky, the cuttlefish has a light texture and transparency while the fava beans make it a filling dish without being too heavy. This main course is paired with a glass of 2010 Parellada, “Vina Sol” Torres from Catalunya.

The chorizo and pistachio stuffed chicken breast with polenta and zucchini ribbons is equally tempting with its vibrant colours and the addition of chorizo and pistachio. This is paired with a glass of Australian 2010 Tempranillo from Taylors Wines in the Clare Valley.

The Spanish pearl barley, wild mushroom with zucchini flower and murcia al vino is a vegetarian option and comes paired with 2009 Mataro, “A1 Muvedre” Telmo Rodrigues from Alicante.

The mains are served with a side of patatas bravas or a salad of butter lettuce, watercress, cherry tomatoes and green olives.

Warm almond cake

If a Picasso masterpiece was to be served on a plate, it would have the taste and texture of the warm almond cake. Every component of this dessert stands out on its own, be it the moist and flavoursome almond cake, the moresih saffron ice cream or the honey roasted soft figs.

Spanish cheese with fig chutney and muscatel

As alternative to dessert, a Spanish cheese platter with fig chutney and muscatels is a lighter alternative.

The Picasso exhibition runs from 12 November 2011 until 25 March 2012 with timed entry ticketing to minimise long queues and waiting times. The exhibition includes 150 paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings set within 10 rooms of the Art Gallery, each representing a period in Picasso’s career. Tickets cost $25 for adults and can be pre-booked.

Lunch with Picasso ($75.00) is available every day from midday and includes a two course Spanish-inspired lunch in The Restaurant, a glass of wine and entry to the Picasso exhibition. High Tea with Picasso ($55.00) is also available throughout the exhibition daily from 2.00pm and includes a selection of sandwiches, savouries, sweets, coffee and tea as well as entry to the exhibition.

Sydney can now dine with Picasso throughout the summer period.

Art Gallery of New South Wales
http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

The Restaurant – Art Gallery of New South Wales
Trippas White Group
Art Gallery Road
Sydney NSW 2000
www.artgalleryrestaurant.com.au