Bring-a-plate party shopping in Neutral Bay
It’s that time of year for summer gatherings with family and friends. While it can be great to make a dish from scratch if you’re asked to bring a plate, one of the great things about living in a multicultural city like Sydney is the range of ready-made gourmet delights you can pick up.
Holiday treats and where to find them
Neutral Bay in Sydney’s Lower North Shore has a diverse range of food venues to cater for almost any taste, with many offering takeaway options. Here are our suggestions for starters, mains and sweets that you can pick up and take with you to any gathering over the holiday season and beyond.
Starters
Finger foods and share plates are always great options for starters at any casual gathering. Why not pick up some delicious Sydney rock oysters from finefish at 75 Grosvenor Lane in Neutral Bay?
For breakfast gatherings, there’s a huge range of bakery treats you can check out at Bourke Street Bakery, including croissants, muffins, cookies and tarts. Don’t let the name fool you. You’ll find it at 19 – 25 Grosvenor Street in Neutral Bay.
Main meals
There’s nothing more Australian than a good old-fashioned barbecue, and there’s sure to be plenty of them to see in the New Year. If you get invited to one and you’re asked to bring meat, check out Mr Gordon in Theo’s Arcade, 202-212 Military Road in Neutral Bay. Their housemade sausages include ingredients such as truffles, pistachios, macadamia and duck, making them a step up from the standard beef.
Sushi is an easy crowd-pleaser, especially on a hot day, and you can pick up tasty sushi platters from Sushi Izu. You’ll find them at 43-51 Grosvenor Street in Neutral Bay.
Gourmet pizzas are another fail-safe option, and you can find an authentic range of wood-fired pizzas made the traditional way at the Italian Street Kitchen at 19 Grosvenor Street in Neutral Bay.
Gourmet vegetarian and vegan options in Neutral Bay are on the rise, and Green Sprouts Vegetarian at 166 Military Road is a great option if you’d like a choice of Chinese foods to bring to your gathering.
Sweets
There’s nothing better than some cold gelato on a hot summer’s day or night. Yologelato at 162 Military Road in Neutral Bay offers gourmet gelato dessert or cake options in a range of refreshing flavours.
Or if you’re looking for a more traditional cake, why not check out the gourmet French range at Le Breton Patisserie further down at 519 Military Road in nearby Mosman. Their signature cakes include the Croque en Bouche and St Honoré (profiteroles dipped in toffee or chocolate and garnished with strawberries) and for January, a traditional Galette du Rois of pastry and almond.
My Little Cupcake at 62 Ben Boyd Rd in Neutral Bay is another dessert option, offering a range of buttercream cupcakes, cakes and sweet treats.
Something to drink
Of course, no summer gathering is complete without a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments. If you’re looking for a diverse range of wines, check out Vintage Cellars at 202 Military Road in Neutral Bay.
The bottom line
After the year of restrictions we’ve had on our social lives, getting together with family and friends over the holiday season is more important than ever. Gourmet food can really add to any occasion, and there are plenty of takeaway options in Neutral Bay and the Lower North Shore.
Over to you
Have we missed any great ideas? Feel free to leave a comment to let us know your favourite local dishes and food venues. Don’t keep them a secret!
