Getting A Taste For It

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday April 23, 2008

ILSA CUNNINGHAM

A new Kiama restaurant and wine bar has hit upon the novel concept of a bite-sized menu, writes ILSA CUNNINGHAM.

Do you look at a restaurant menu and can't decide what to try first?

The owners of a new Kiama restaurant and wine bar think they have found the solution.

Dan and Sharon Henricson have created a wine and "tastings" menu, featuring a selection of regional, interstate and overseas wines, and small servings of foods from around the world.

Situated in a heritage-listed building in Terralong St, 127 Restaurant Wine Bar serves its meals on two-tier platters, similar to those used for high teas.

Such delicacies include salt and pepper cuttlefish, Peking duck wrapped in a mandarin pancake, seared tuna rolled in black and white sesame seeds, and Moroccan lamb cutlets.

In the kitchen at 127 is executive chef Dudley Wood, who recently moved to Kiama with his family.

Wood has previously worked at Cafe Sydney at Circular Quay, the Hotel InterContinental in London, and Wollongong's City Beach Function Centre.

The Henricsons man the front of house, taking a step back from their other gourmet cafe and specialty goods business, the Manning St Deli, which opened 18 months ago.

Sharon also previously managed delis and cafes in Sydney and the Gold Coast, and a restaurant in Parliament House.

She says both she and Dan are looking forward to chatting with people.

"We moved because this is my home town and we wanted a lifestyle change," Sharon explains.

"There was also a business opportunity, Kiama needed a good deli and cafe."

It's been a busy time for the Henricsons, who have been renovating their new building, giving it a relaxed, "warm and sexy" feel.

"It's somewhere you will be happy to take a visitor, and say 'this is my local'," Sharon says.

Darker colours are a strong theme in 127, with a huge black marble bar, with black material lights and velvet lounge and warming brown and grey interior.

The intention is to create an intimate dining feel, to appeal to the over 30s.

They've also opened up the floor area to accommodate an outdoor deck for alfresco dining.

Sundays will feature live music, typically jazz or blues.

"We'll supply really good, tasty food and wine, where you can listen to music in a friendly, warm atmosphere," Sharon says.

The Henricsons also plan to host private functions and wedding receptions in an upstairs room and outdoor area.

127 Restaurant Wine Bar is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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