Suckling pig, duck, octopus, madeleines, figs and a $300 bottle of wine were on the menu at an $1800 dinner where Ian Macdonald signed off on a mining licence.
The items are listed on a bill shown to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which is investigating the former Labor minister's 2008 decision to grant a mining exploration licence in the NSW Hunter region to Doyles Creek Mining.
It's alleged that Mr Macdonald granted the licence to give an improper benefit to former union boss, John Maitland, and his associates, who had stakes in Doyles Creek.
The ICAC was told on Monday that Mr Macdonald inked the licence in the company of Doyles Creek stakeholders at a "signing ceremony" at a fancy Sydney restaurant in December 2008.
The $1800 Catalina's at Rose Bay bill, dated December 15, 2008, includes a $99 suckling pig, a $300 magnum of pinot noir, and $135 worth of snapper.
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The group also spent $165 on madeleines and $54 on sparkling water.
They also got through octopus, duck, beef tenderloin, tuna, oysters and squid, and left a $200 tip.
"As the ink dried, a magnum of pinot noir helped wet the celebration," counsel assisting the commission, Peter Braham SC, quipped in describing the occasion.
The Catalina bill contrasts with one for $200 racked up by Mr Macdonald, Mr Maitland and his co-venturers at the NSW parliament dining room in June 2008.
That bill includes a $12.50 lime mousse and three $7 "steamed puddings".
The group had to eat at parliament because the private dining room at Sydney's exclusive Prime Steak Restaurant was booked out, ICAC was told. It's claimed that Mr Maitland and entrepreneurs Craig Ransley and Andrew Poole made millions from Mr Macdonald's decision to grant the exploration licence over Doyle's Creek.
