Love a cabaret, old chum? Sydney’s swankiest venue will transform into a chic cabaret lounge for American Express delicious. Month Out this May.

Cabaret Soiree will be the first event at The Charles to utilise all three of the venue’s spaces in one night, starting with cocktails and canapes at The Charles Bar, followed by dinner in the Grand Brasserie and finally, dessert and
cabaret at Tiva downstairs.

“The venue complements cabaret so well,” says culinary director Sebastien Lutaud. “The venue is elegant and decadent, but with a wonderful sense of theatre created by tableside service and the charm of old-school hospitality that’s reminiscent of the warm and welcoming brasseries of Europe.”

Executive chef of The Charles, Billy Hannigan, has created a special two-course menu for the event, which is just as luxurious as the setting. Diners can expect fine French fare from whipped Brillat Savarin on witlof and spanner crab
and caviar tartlets, to the pièce de la résistance, Aylesbury duck a la presse with queen garnet plums.

To make the signature dish, Maremma ducks are dry-aged then pressed in an extravagant copperplated duck press, which takes pride of place on the kitchen pass where guests can see it in action.

“The carcass is packed into the press and slowly compacted, resulting in an incredibly flavoursome liquid, which is sweetened with Pedro Ximenez (sherry) and reduced to create this distinctive duck sauce,” Lutard says. “It takes around two weeks to make, but it’s nothing short of splendid to eat.”

The Grand Brasserie’s duck a la presse is usually only available to order as a whole duck to share (at a cost of $170), so this is a rare opportunity for guests to try the dish as a main course. For the final stop, diners will head downstairs to late-night basement lounge Tiva for a nightcap.

For the grand finale, guests will be served chocolate and muscovado caramel tart canapes while enjoying cabaret performances and live entertainment.

“Tiva is like a little secret hidden downstairs, and so, for those who’ve
not yet visited, we think it will be a very welcome surprise to finish the evening.”

American Express delicious. Month Out is a month-long event that runs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide throughout May.

The event promises exclusive functions, special offers and unmissable deals, encouraging foodies to get out and support the hospitality industry.

Cabaret Soiree at The Charles
66 King St, Sydney
Wednesday, May 3 
$150 a person, which includes a multi-course set menu, drinks, live entertainment and gift 
Tickets available from resy.com

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