Small Bar, Big Heart

September 6th, 2011

andjelka

Western Australia’s burgeoning small bar scene is spreading. No longer confined to Perth’s trendiest neighbourhoods, these establishments are sprouting up all over the state – to the delight of local tipple-loving foodies.

Boho Bar is one such small bar that sprung up in Margaret River in February. This stylish wine bar-cum restaurant offers a cosy, intimate dining experience and sets itself apart from the larger restaurants and wineries the region is famous for.

Masterminds behind this stylish watering hole are Darkhorse Developments, best known for their wildly successful small bars The Cabin in Mount Lawley and The Suite in Shenton Park.

Residents of Margaret River and tourists alike have welcomed the new addition, likely due to the restaurant’s dedication to showcasing the region’s best produce on their evergreen menu and wine list. Brendon Aitken, managing director of Darkhorse Developments says, “Our focus is on simplicity, using local produce. With the quality of produce available in the South West, it gives us the opportunity to frequently change the menu.”

The culinary artist responsible for keeping the menu fresh and delicious is head chef Dominic Grundy. His decade of experience was gained in Michelin starred restaurants in London and Paris, working under renowned chefs such as French chef Michel Roux Jnr. Grundy’s European influences and creativity shine through in the food he creates. “Our menu has a traditional French influence fused with modern British,” Aitken explains. “We change the menu every month and don’t carry over any dishes.”

Boho Bar is so more than just a gourmet wine bar. Integral to Boho Bar’s mission statement is the dedication to support local charities, which is why Aitken says the small bar jumped at the opportunity to get involved with Dine for Life’s Spring Dinner. “We really wanted to give something back to the community and the charities Dine for Life supports are fantastic and do great work. We love the directors and their philosophies!”

The feeling is mutual.

[fbcomments]

We have selected the charity!

September 4th, 2011

andjelka

The recipient of the 2011 Spring Dinner is…People Who Care!

It was such a difficult decision to choose just one charity out of all of the worthy organisations that applied to be the recipients of our 2011 Spring Dinner.

This cause resonated so deeply with us at Dine for Life because it is of such great concern that in today’s society and in our own prosperous community, the elderly and frail are being subjected to living their lives below poverty level.

People Who Care is a not-for-profit volunteer based agency whose aim is to look after the frail aged, younger people with disabilities, carers and other people in need. People Who Care has 37 staff supported by 300 weekly volunteers, 1000 youth volunteers and 12 corporate volunteer groups. People Who Care are commited to their mission of “realising a caring community where people who are able, look after those in need.”

People Who Care recently launched its first fundraising program ‘Power a Pensioner’. This program is about helping Perth’s frail aged, who rely solely on the pension not be forgotten or left behind in extreme poverty. As a community over the last three years we are all aware of the increased cost of living. Utilities have increased by 30%, as has transport, mortgages, rents and food costs. Yet for those reliant on an aged pension with no real increase to pensions, life has become a battle of survival.

Unlike many other problems in our community, this is one we really can put a stop to and ensure a brighter future for our elderly, frail and disabled.

For details on the 2011 Spring Dinner click here!

[fbcomments]

SPRING DINNER SET TO SIZZLE

September 1st, 2011

andjelka

Our simultaneous dining experience has just exploded!

For those that have attended our previous dinners and know the standards we set with each event, our 2011 Spring Dinner is going to truly blow you away!

October 13 will mark a first of its kind event in Western Australia!

Not only are we holding the event in Perth but the South West region are also opening their restaurant and winery doors to host a bi-regional simultaneous dining experience! Both dining events will be followed by an after party at their respective secret locations that are announced on the night.

We at Dine for Life are thrilled at the crème de la crème of Perth and the South West’s restaurants and wineries that have opened their doors to help us raise funds for a charity that is doing outstanding work within our community; People Who Care.

People Who Care is an independent not-for-profit volunteer organisation which provides services to the frail aged, people with disabilities, carers and others with special needs to enable them to live independently for as long as possible and to avoid premature or inappropriate admission to long-term care facilities.

If heading South is something you’ve been planning on, this is the event to make that trip for. We hope this event will mark the beginning of an annual bi-regional simultaneous dinner and really set the pace for how we West Australians wine and dine with a conscience.

Click here to purchase your tickets for the 2011 Spring Dinner.

[fbcomments]

Call for Charities!

May 30th, 2011

andjelka

In our preparation for the next event we at Dine for Life are also on the most important search of all, the search for a charity to support.

The call to Western Australian charities is out again for the third event in the Dine for Life dinner series – the Spring Dinner, which aims to raise $30,000.

We are seeking charities that do not currently receive any major corporate sponsorship.  Charities must also be officially registered as a non-profit organisation and have the facilities to directly receive funds generated from the event’s ticket sales.

Based on a unique 100 per cent donation model means all funds raised at the event are donated to the selected charity.

Dine for Life’s first event raised $12,500 for the Global Good Foundation and it’s second raising $19,500 for the Samaritans Crisis Line

Charities can apply by registering their interest at www.dineforlife.com/charities or by emailing charitymanagement@dineforlife.com. Upon registration an application form will be sent which must be completed and returned by June 30th 2011.

We look forward to your submissions!

[fbcomments]

Spring Dinner 2011

May 25th, 2011

andjelka

The rumblings of the Dine for Life Spring dinner are starting to make waves across Perth’s restaurant scene. Who will be involved in this next spectacular event?

Our past two dining experiences have seen some of Perth’s top restaurateurs get involved and support the important causes, celebrate their exquisite gastronomical fare as well as bring liveliness to Perth’s mid-week dining scene.

With each dinner, Dine for Life steps it up a notch and the coming event is no exception, the Spring Dinner has a surprise in store! With a number of the restaurants already confirmed, we are looking around to see who can add to the high standard that has been set by our previous restaurants to give Perth’s diners more of the sumptuous culinary experiences they are now accustomed to at the Dine for Life dinners.

And as for the surprise…you’re going to have to stay tuned to find out. A little hint to whet your appetite…it is big, it’s of grand proportions and it hasn’t been done before.  Keep your eyes closely peeled to our rumblings to make sure you don’t miss out!

[fbcomments]

A Fashionable Donation by Aurelio Costarella

December 1st, 2010

andjelka

Tonight’s Summer Dinner is gearing up to be an incredible event. We exceeded our goal of securing 10 restaurants and now have 13 of Perth’s best dining establishments on board, surpassing our goal of raising $15,000 for the Samaritans Crisis Line. Our soon-to-be-disclosed after party will be attended by 100+ diners, celebrities and media figures, all of whom will be enjoying dessert and cocktails concocted especially for the night by the mixologists at Cocktail Gastronomy.

If the Summer Dinner is anything like last May’s Autumn Dinner, the event offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate the featured charity and donations raised for it.

This spirit of giving has prompted the involvement of award-winning fashion designer Aurelio Costarella. The WA-based designer has dressed the likes of Rihanna, Sharon Stone and Eva Mendes, and is fast becoming an internationally recognised luxury brand.

The fashion house has generously donated the exquisite Cunnard Cape (pictured above) to be won by one lucky female diner. The Cunnard Cape is one of only five created by the designer. Made from silk and hand beaded, its retail value is $1600.

Aurelio Costarella has also donated hand-made silk flowers that will be worn by the Dine for Life Ambassadors – the representatives who will be welcoming the diners at each of the restaurants and attending the after party.

We are extremely grateful to Aurelio Costarella for their generosity and look forward to discovering which lucky diner will be taking the gorgeous Cunnard Cape home with them.

[fbcomments]

Love at La Lola

November 24th, 2010

andjelka

Nedlands’ quaint cafe strip on Hampden Road has always been known for its coffee shops (like the delicous Boubar) and tucked-away fashion boutiques – but that’s now changed thanks to the recent arrival of Italian eatery La Lola, which the West Australian Good Food Guide 2011 calls “the sexiest Italian in town”.

Head Chef Tony Garita – best known for his work at Bar One – has created a menu to transport you straight to Rome, with mouth-watering antipasti plates like heavenly buffalo mozzarella, crunchy bruschetta and fried calamari. The homemade pasta – pappardelle, linguine and ravioli – is to die for. Diners are spoilt for choice with the array of classic Italian desserts like tiramisú, semifreddo and affogato – all perfect for a warm summer evening.

And a warm summer evening is just what we expect at the Summer Dinner – making La Lola the perfect addition to the upcoming event, happening in just one week on 1 December. We’re thrilled to offer diners the chance to sample from La Lola’s fare for a good cause.

While most of the Summer Dinner restaurants are offering a set, multi-course menu for the night, La Lola is allowing diners to choose from the full menu – a generous act that adds a different element to the event.

A made-to-order Italian feast without the guilt? Priceless.

[fbcomments]

So Much More than a Friday Night Watering Hole

November 23rd, 2010

andjelka

There’s only one thing better than the moment the work week ends on a Friday arvo: the moment just after. You know, the one where you head off for drinks to celebrate the beginning of weekend bliss.

For most people, the choice of where to partake of said drinks is a clear one: the George. This bar cum restaurant attracts smartly dressed Perth professionals who appreciate the George’s super convenient CBD location, contemporary decor and extensive wine and beer lists.

Read the rest of this entry »

[fbcomments]

Thirteen is a Very Lucky Number

November 22nd, 2010

andjelka

For anyone following the flurry of activity surrounding these last few months leading up to Summer Dinner, you’ll know that we were cheering when we reached our goal of 10 restaurants a couple of weeks ago. You might also have heard the squealing when we hit 11, the screaming when we reached 12.

Now might be a good time to plug your ears – we have THIRTEEN restaurants on board for the Summer Dinner!!! That means on 1 December, diners will be toasting the fact that together we raised an incredible donation – the total amount will be announced at the after party – for the Samaritans Crisis Line.

Read the rest of this entry »

[fbcomments]

A Snapshot of Restaurant Amuse

November 18th, 2010

andjelka

It’s been a good year for Restaurant Amusé, a degustation restaurant run by husband and wife team Carolynne and Hadleigh Troy. The Western Australian Good Food Guide 2011 gave Restaurant Amusé an impressive score of 18/20 and two stars – the publication’s highest rating. And in October the eatery won the esteemed award for Restaurant of the Year by the National Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Awards For Excellence, beating the likes of Tetsuya’s in Sydney, Adelaide’s The Manse Restaurant and La Fontaine in Queensland.

Read the rest of this entry »

[fbcomments]