Trans, Military Road, Mosman

Trans, Military Road, Mosman
Friday 30 December, 2005

This was my all-time favourite Vietnamese restaurant for many years until I was introduced to Phuong in Willoughby.

I haven't been here for maybe 12 months, so it was time to return. I love the way you are greeted by Tri upon arrival, he's so friendly & enthusiastic and treats you like an old friend. As there were 7 of us dining and 3 that had never experienced Vietnamese food before, we decided to go with the banquet menu for $40 pp. What a bargain...

The decor is traditional and the air-conditioning was on high so within 10 minutes of sitting down we had no recollection that it was over 30 degrees outside.

The food is sensational. We started with 2 entrees - Vietnamese crisp rice pancake filled with prawns, pork, sprouts and served with a bowl of mixed fresh leaves & 'nuoc cham' and the Vietnamese ravioli (Banh Cu cai) steamed rice paper filled with prawns, pork, daikon & served with coconut milk and lime juice and fish sauce. Everyone was blown away by these 2 dishes - the freshness, the flavours and the taste. 10/10.

For main we really enjoyed the Drunken cow - tender veal in a claypot cooked with red wine, carrot and mushroom - the meat just fell apart it was so tender; Curry prawns - spicy curry prawns with Coriander - cooked with coconut milk; and the Crispy boneless duck - served with Gai Choy and other daily vegetables. It was all served with steamed rice and a couple of plates of steamed vegetables.

You cannot fault the food - it was all so good and the 3 uninitiated were well and truly converted by the end of the evening. It is also BYO.

Trans restaurant - 523 Military Road, Mosman - (02)99699275

http://www.transrestaurant.com.au

South, King Street, Newtown

South, King Street, Newtown
Friday 30 December, 2005

We had browsed the shops up & down King Street and decided it was time to eat before the movie (Broken Flowers). South looks inviting with it's wide entrance and mix of lounges, cube seats and chairs inside. Apparently there is a courtyard out the back but we didn't make it that far.

Sitting near the King St entrance is noisy with the constant stream of traffic and lively locals. We decided to order the mezze plate and share a salad (rocket, red kidney beans, sun dried tomatoes, olives, haloumi and a citrus balsamic vinegar dressing). It all sounded so delicious.

For drinks they do a good selection of fruit frappes that look great but I decided to revert back to my childhood and order a coke spider (scoop of icecream in a glass of coke). This was sensational and just what I felt like.

Sadly, the food didn't deliver. It was OK but nothing special - the mezze plate had a selection of olives, the smallest cubes of feta cheese I have ever seen and some greens.

We were given the wrong bill and took it to the counter to resolve. The Manager proceeded to reprimand our waitress in front of us (completely unnecessary) and then gave her a lesson in how to file the receipts (a complete waste of our time).

South - 232 King Street, Newtown - (02) 95578839

Super Bowl Chinese Restaurant, Dixon St, Chinatown

Super Bowl Chinese Restaurant, Dixon St, Chinatown
Wednesday 28 December, 2005

You can call this restaurant 'third time lucky'.

We started off our evening at Tai Wong BBQ in Campbell St (opposite the Capitol Theatre) to experience their Peking duck only to find out they closed at 6.30pm. What the!?*@ As we were only a stones throw from Chinatown we decided to visit the sensational Golden Century. There was a 45 minute wait in the 35 degree heat - next?

Walking through the Sussex Centre shops we arrived in the heart of Chinatown with no plan. Most places were full with locals and tourists. We chose to eat at the Superbowl Chinese Restaurant that was packed full of Chinese families and friends.

We were greeted outside by a pleasant staff member who invited us in and yes, they had air-conditioning. It was pretty average looking inside but the menu looked good as did the prices.

We ordered salt & pepper squid, grandma's beancurd and BBQ pork. When the squid arrived we tucked in devouring the lightly deep fried coating and salt & pepper seasoning. It was really good, the squid melted in your mouth. After we had enjoyed about 3 pieces each our waiter delivered the beancurd and BBQ pork. Within moments he returned with another dish of salt & pepper squid explaining that we had received the wrong dish. Wrong dish? We had already eaten some of it. Not to worry he said replacing it with the fresh dish explaining that we had incorrectly received salt & pepper seafood i.e. fish fillets, calamari etc. Oh well, it was good and we'll probably order it next time.


The BBQ pork was good with a thick glaze of plum sauce. The disappointment was grandma's beancurd. On the menu it was described as hot & spicy but it tasted more sweet & sour. Of course, we still ate most of it but we've definitely had better.

A sign at the front entrance stated, 'Don't forget your umbrella, but make sure is YOURS'. Reminds me of that funny site - http://www.engrish.com/

It was very reasonable, the service was efficient and the food was good. For a quick meal on the way somewhere I'd consider this place again.

Super Bowl Chinese Restaurant - 41 Dixon St, Haymarket - (02) 9281 2462

Costi's Famous Fish Cafe, George St, The Rocks

Costi's Famous Fish Cafe, George St, The Rocks
Thursday 22 December, 2005

I've wanted to try this cafe for ages. It's located in the heart of The Rocks which has been screaming out for a good seafood place for sometime. Not surprisingly, Costi's is doing a roaring trade with local office workers and tourists alike.

You can smell the seafood a good 20 metres down George St and this certainly gets the taste buds working overtime. It is located in a gorgeous historic building that has a heritage listing. This listing means that they cannot renovate the upstairs floors so the original floor boards and rickety stairs will remain.

However, downstairs it is a fresh, white space with great seafood displays and a small kitchen. The staff are friendly and efficient - they are constantly cleaning the cafe tables and removing the trays so it looks clean and inviting. It is. You order and pay at the counter and receive a number on your docket.

A tip - take a table upstairs - it is air-conditioned unlike downstairs that gets the heat off the kitchen. When they call your number, collect your food and enjoy!

For lunch we ordered a selection of dishes to share - salmon cakes, salt & pepper squid, prawn cutlets and chips. Everything was delicious and you also get aioli, tartare sauce and lemon with each order.

I will be returning.....

Costi's Famous Fish Cafe - Cnr George & Argyle Sts, The Rocks

Belgian Beer Cafe, Harrington St, Sydney

Belgian Beer Cafe, Harrington St, Sydney
Tuesday 20 December, 2005

Lunchtime at the Belgian Bier Cafe is packed - for such a large space this place is full to the brim with city workers - where have they all come from? Probably Grosvenor Place across the road....

It's a fantastic old building and they have kept the beauty & charm of the historical building and matched it with a funky interior showcasing natural light, exposed beams and stained glass windows with a variety of beer logos.

The staff are friendly and efficient (we had a gorgeous Belgian waiter) and the menu is extensive - as a suggestion check out the menu online before you go, it is detailed, enticing and takes a while to get through. This will enable you to enjoy lunch and not feel rushed as you spent 20 minutes reading the menu and discussing the options with your friends.

The house specialty is mussels but today I ordered the steak frite with chips & salad. What a serious disappointment. I requested medium rare and it tasted well done. We also ordered a side of garlic bread and it was the chewiest bread I have ever eaten - stale??

Stick to the house specialty and you won't be disappointed.

Belgian Beer Cafe - 135 Harrington St, The Rocks - (02) 92411775

http://www.belgian-beer-cafe.com.au/

La Dolce Vita, Pittwater Road, Manly

Guest reviewer - Jane

La Dolce Vita, Pittwater Road, Manly
Monday 19 December, 2005

I’ve long wanted to try this little, too brightly lit, suburban Italian restaurant, but as it sits alongside my favourite Thai and a delicious Chinese, they’ve always won out. The Italian is always popular however, and for a pre-Christmas catch up with a local friend, we thought we’d give it a try. The menu is extensive and after much deliberation I settled on the marinated chargrilled baby octopus for entrée, and the spaghetti marinara for main. Servings are generous and I was quite excited when the octopus arrived - it was beautifully presented, fanned out around a fresh garden salad. It was tasty but too chewy …. my search for the perfect tender chargrilled octopus continues.

I was not disappointed however with the marinara – a generous serve with five large, juicy prawns, a number of mussels in their shells, fish and calamari in a garlicky, chunky tomato sauce. Nobody will come within 5 feet of me today, but I don’t care - I enjoyed every mouthful!

La Dolce Vita - 155 Pittwater Road, Manly - (02) 99765111

Sydney Dance Cafe, Pier 4 Wharf, Walsh Bay

Sydney Dance Cafe, Pier 4 Wharf, Walsh Bay
Monday 19 December, 2005

There's not much on offer in the cheap & cheerful bracket around the Sydney Theatre Company in Walsh Bay. You have the Wharf restaurant and Hickson Rd Bistro which are considered fine dining, but for a quick bite before the theatre there is really only one offering - the Sydney Dance Cafe.

Instead of walking up the stairs at Pier 4 to Theatres 1 & 2 and the Wharf restaurant walk past the stairs as if you are heading into the Sydney Dance Company premises. On entry is a very informal, rustic cafe.

The food is very simple with a handful of menu offerings and you order and pay at the counter. It's cheerful but I wouldn't say cheap with the $15 - $22 meal prices for a salad, bowl of pasta or risotto. They offer fast & efficient service, perfect when you are rushing off to see a play upstairs or across the road to the Sydney Theatre.

Tonight we were off to see the final play of the STC subscription series, The Cherry Orchard. For dinner I ordered orecchiette with chicken, pumpkin and parmesan. It was average so we splurged on brownies and coffee too.

Hopefully with all the new apartments and office buildings popping up in Walsh Bay & Millers Point we will see some much needed new restaurants/ cafes that offer a variety of food with reasonable prices attached.

Sydney Dance Cafe - Pier 4, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay - (02) 92415021

Eastwood Garden Peking Restaurant, Rowe Street, Eastwood

Eastwood Garden Peking Restaurant, Rowe Street, Eastwood
Saturday 17 December, 2005

According to some this restaurant offers the best peking duck in Sydney. Better than Golden Century, BBQ King etc etc? This, I had to try for myself.

Eastwood is not a destination I would typically drive to on a Saturday night. The best aspect was the parking, it was in abundance and it was free. Eastwood is also home to a large Asian population, hence the number of Chinese and Korean restaurants.

I had come prepared. Earlier this year I had visited China and experienced the best food I have every tasted. Since that time I've been on a mission to find comparable food in Sydney. Big ask but I'm up for the challenge. About 5 weeks ago I was sitting next to a lady in our employee induction program at work who had just transferred from the Beijing office. I took the opportunity to talk food and asked her to write down for me in Chinese characters the dishes we discussed. So, I had this piece of paper with me as I entered Eastwood Garden Peking Restaurant.

The decor wass basic, the buzz was loud and the crowd were primarily local families. There is a ramp into the restaurant where people queue while they are waiting for tables. This ramp was continually full between 7 - 9pm, it didn't let up. We were seated alongside the ramp so dealt with the hungry looks from the ramp as each dish was presented to the table.

We ordered a feast of mermaid's tresses (lightly deep fried crispy chinese cabbage, cashews and pork floss), steamed prawn gow gees, peking duck (pancakes only - the duck noodles were to take away), grandma's beancurd and sizzling king prawns. It was all good but not great and certainly not the best Chinese food I have eaten in Sydney.

As we had ordered so much our very pleasant waitress bought large take away containers to the table so we could scoop in what we wanted to take home. I've never seen that done before but I will be enjoying duck noodles and grandma's beancurd tomorrow.

Eastwood Garden Peking Restaurant - 167 Rowe Street, Eastwood - (02) 98041289

Sonoma, Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Sonoma, Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Saturday 17 December, 2005

According to Jen this is the best bakery in Sydney. It's a shoebox with a small amount of tables but a great selection of breads, muffins and treats.

We arrived after 1pm and all the spelt breads were sold out. I ordered a wholewheat loaf that smelt delicious and Jen ordered a loaf of white sourdough.

It's not somewhere you go to hang out but it's a great place to stop at and pick up a loaf of woodfired bread - but you must get there early!

Sonoma, 215 Glebe Point Road, Glebe - (02) 96602116

http://www.sonoma.com.au/home

Toby's Estate Roastery, Cafe and Tea Emporium, City Road, Chippendale

Toby's Estate Roastery, Cafe and Tea Emporium, City Road, Chippendale
Saturday 17 December, 2005

We arrived here with the specific intention of buying organic coffee. It didn't take long for us to get sidetracked. On entering you are drawn to the glass cabinet with beautiful quiches, tarts, baguettes etc. I immediately decided I wanted the pumpkin, feta and onion quiche - it was delicious.

This location houses the roasting premises of Toby's Estate with a large factory/ warehouse out the back. The open plan cafe is nestled amongst the large dark wooden bookshelves that display the tempting teas, coffee beans and equipment.

I was completely engaged in a conversation with a gorgeous staff member about which coffee I should purchase when Jen jumps in and commences her 324 questions assault on him. I decided to go with Peru which is grown in the Villa Rica area of the Eastern Andes Mountains at an altitude of up to 1800 metres. It is described as a smooth, rich and balanced coffee with a smokey caramel aftertaste. Simply divine.

Toby's Estate Roastery, Cafe & Tea Emporium - 32-36 City Road, Chippendale - (02) 92111459

http://www.tobysestate.com.au

The Providores Market, Ralph Street, Alexandria

The Providores Market, Ralph Street, Alexandria
Saturday 17 December, 2005

The Providores Market houses four offerings: Simon Johnson, Matt Brown's greens, Joto Fresh Fish and Bite. It's a large open space with plenty of street parking. On entering we were greeted by Simon Johnson himself.

We had a specific task here to enjoy a coffee (Allpress - delicious) and purchase some vegetables. We ordered coffees and sat down in Bite. It has floor to ceiling glass windows and no air-conditioning. With the sun streaming in it was a little hot box. We drank our coffees and walked back into Matt Brown's greens.

The staff do not wear uniforms here, so it is near impossible to know who to ask for assistance. One gentleman struck up a conversation in the potato section and it took us a moment to realise that he was a staff member. He definitely knew what he was talking about but it was little disconcerting.

There's a decent cheese room and you can find some bargains here, so it's worth a visit. The signage out the front is tacky but if it is an overcast day I'll definitely go back and have a meal in Bite.

The Providores Market - 24a Ralph St, Alexandria - (02) 82448288

http://www.simonjohnson.com.au

Foodie tour with Jen

Jen is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Her knowledge of food is extraordinary and her cooking prowess is faultless, hence the reason for her nomination in the SMH's Homecook Hero. When Jen says she is popping out to pick up some bits & pieces you know it's not to the local Coles. So, I accepted the invitation to tag along.

The Providores Market, Ralph Street, Alexandria
Saturday 17 December, 2005

The Providores Market houses four offerings: Simon Johnson, Matt Brown's greens, Joto Fresh Fish and Bite. It's a large open space with plenty of street parking. On entering we were greeted by Simon Johnson himself.

We had a specific task here to enjoy a coffee (Allpress - delicious) and purchase some vegetables. We ordered coffees and sat down in Bite. It has floor to ceiling glass windows and no air-conditioning. With the sun streaming in it was a little hot box. We drank our coffees and walked back into Matt Brown's greens.

The staff do not wear uniforms here, so it is near impossible to know who to ask for assistance. One gentleman struck up a conversation in the potato section and it took us a moment to realise that he was a staff member. He definitely knew what he was talking about but it was little disconcerting.

There's a decent cheese room and you can find some bargains here, so it's worth a visit. The signage out the front is tacky but if it is an overcast day I'll definitely go back and have a meal in Bite.

The Providores Market - 24a Ralph St, Alexandria - (02) 82448288

http://www.simonjohnson.com.au


Toby's Estate Roastery, Cafe and Tea Emporium, City Road, Chippendale
Saturday 17 December, 2005

We arrived here with the specific intention of buying organic coffee. It didn't take long for us to get sidetracked. On entering you are drawn to the glass cabinet with beautiful quiches, tarts, baguettes etc. I immediately decided I wanted the pumpkin, feta and onion quiche - it was delicious.

This location houses the roasting premises of Toby's Estate with a large factory/ warehouse out the back. The open plan cafe is nestled amongst the large dark wooden bookshelves that display the tempting teas, coffee beans and equipment.

I was completely engaged in a conversation with a gorgeous staff member about which coffee I should purchase when Jen jumps in and commences her 324 questions assault on him. I decided to go with Peru which is grown in the Villa Rica area of the Eastern Andes Mountains at an altitude of up to 1800 metres. It is described as a smooth, rich and balanced coffee with a smokey caramel aftertaste. Simply divine.

Toby's Estate Roastery, Cafe & Tea Emporium - 32-36 City Road, Chippendale - (02) 92111459

http://www.tobysestate.com.au

Sonoma, Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Saturday 17 December, 2005

According to Jen this is the best bakery in Sydney. It's a shoebox with a small amount of tables but a great selection of breads, muffins and treats.

We arrived after 1pm and all the spelt breads were sold out. I ordered a wholewheat loaf that smelt delicious and Jen ordered a loaf of white sourdough.

It's not somewhere you go to hang out but it's a great place to stop at and pick up a loaf of woodfired bread - but you must get there early!

Sonoma, 215 Glebe Point Road, Glebe - (02) 96602116

http://www.sonoma.com.au/home

Quayside Brasserie, East Circular Quay

Quayside Brasserie, East Circular Quay
Friday 16 December, 2005

Located underneath ARIA in East Circular Quay, this brasserie has an amazing view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It is hard not to be impressed with the view. The outdoor area can tend to get a little windy so sit inside by the window for dinner.

For the location, the prices are excellent. For a quick bite before the ballet (tonight we loved the final Australian ballet of 2005 - Sleeping Beauty), it is much nicer & better for the cholesterol levels than the rich food offered by Guillaume @ Bennelong.

Our waitress was super keen to take our order. She visited the table three times before we were ready with an abrupt, 'are you ready to order?', 'are you ready to order yet?'; 'can I take your order NOW?'. Gee, relax a little.

We had both had big lunches so ordered salads off the entree menu. I enjoyed the prosciutto, rockmelon, rocket & parmesan salad drizzled in honey and my ballet buddy enjoyed the caesar salad with a poached egg. They were both great.

For dessert we splurged and I had the warm apple crumble with ricotta and apple, balsamic gelato (it definitely wasn't gelato but it was still good) and my ballet buddy enjoyed the chocolate, orange & hazlenut bread & butter pudding with hazlenut ice cream. They were delicious.

It was very affordable and we were hesitant to tip because the waitress had a permanent scowl on her face. What is it with service in Sydney???

Quayside Brasserie - Shop 1/2 East Circular Quay, Circular Quay - (02) 92510122

http://www.quaysidecafe.com.au

Bungalow 8, The Promenade, King Street Wharf

Bungalow 8, The Promenade, King Street Wharf
Friday 16 December, 2005

On any Friday Bungalow 8 is packed. I am telling you this to manage your expectations & so you don't turn up and assume you will be seated in the groovy booths. These can be booked for groups, so do this well in advance.

Today was our team Christmas lunch. An opportunity to kick back, get to know your work colleagues in a social setting and enjoy lunch. What a fabulous location, King Street Wharf has so many restaurants and Bungalow 8 is the place to be seen. It's hip, it's happening and I'm glad we arrived at lunch. By 4pm it was beginning to burst at the seams and the crowd was spilling out onto the promenade.

We arrived late. A call had been made to let them know but they had given our table away to another group. No dramas, we ordered drinks while they prepared another location for us to sit. It was cosy but once the wine started flowing and the food arrived no-one cared.

The staff were efficient and pleasant. It happened to be one of the most hot & humid days of the year and many of us were quietly melting. The food was good and was served quickly. The poor guys in the kitchen had their work cut out for them in the heat.

I loved the colourful parasols hanging upside down from the exposed beams and the open plan setting. It is a noisy, buzzing, lively space but there's really no where to escape the heat. Even inside near the bar, with its dim lighting, did not provide any relief.

The table ordered fish & chips, calamari & chips, salt & pepper squid, atlantic salmon, the tasting plate, honey soy chicken, peking duck salad and tuna nicoise. The servings were large and there were no major complaints.

As the afternoon wore on, we were replenishing our jugs of water regularly. Our lunch kicked on into after work drinks and the crowd increased every minute. What a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Bungalow 8 - The Promenade, 8 King Street Wharf - (02) 92994660

http://www.bungalow8sydney.com/

Restaurant Assiette, Albion St, Surry Hills

Restaurant Assiette, Albion St, Surry Hills
Thursday 15 December, 2005

I'd heard this is one of Sydney's best kept secrets. Well, what an experience. Warren Turnbull has created an intimate restaurant with incredible food and understated decor (I love the knife, fork and spoon images) - take note Sydney. What a shame the service started off sooooooo bad and only improved marginally.

On arrival we were 'greeted' by someone who treated us as more of an inconvenience than paying guests. Strike one.

There were six of us dining and apparently we were sitting in the service void. To put it bluntly the wait staff did not acknowledge our presence. We tried ordering drinks, then tried again and finally got some service but only half of our order was delivered to the table. After almost 20 minutes of this one of my dining companions who shall remain nameless (you know who you are) starting waving her hands wildly in the air and called out 'would it be possible to get some service or are we seated in the service vortex' or words to that effect. Strike two.

Well, this changed everything. Our waiter kicked into service mode and acknowledged that if he had been dining here he would have caused a bigger scene that what our table had. Orders were taken, drinks appeared and the butter was replenished. About time...

What a shame the other two wait staff treated the guests so appallingly - I mean seriously, how hard is it? We all have bad days but two out of three wait staff (both female) having a meltdown is unacceptable. Put a smile on your face, treat customers with respect, take the order & deliver the order to the table. Done.

Before our entrees arrived, we were delivered a complimentary starter that was almost thrown at us. After she had thrown the starter at three of us & we had reacted with 'are you serious?' The other three arrived and were slammed down on the table while she muttered what it was. I honestly could not tell you tell what it was. We tried to ask but she had marched off. Strike three.

Sadly, the food is faultless. I was in food heaven. For entree I devoured the roast quail with onion bhaji, parsnip, lentils and a curry veloute - simply divine. Some of my friends ordered the carpaccio of kingfish with a spring roll of crab and a chilli & avocado vinaigrette and it melted in your mouth, the blend of flavours with coriander was exquisite.

For main the table ordered four x roasted veal fillet with caramelised veal sweetbreads, mushrooms, asparagus & almond foam and two x confit pork belly and roasted pork fillet with colcannon, apple puree and pork jus. The pork belly was incredibly tender and again melted in your mouth and the grain fed veal was beautifully presented and had a lovely flavour (which I was informed by one of my foodie friends would have been ruined if the veal was milk fed). We also ordered some sides of baby beans with confit shallots. Absolutely delicious.

Our main waiter tried his utmost to win us back in the service stakes. He chatted about the quality of the produce used (his knowledge was very limited) & referred to the chef for some of our more complex questions. There is no sommelier on staff which is a shame as some of the wine on the menu is seriously pricey and it would have been nice to discuss this with someone who understands how to match food & wine.

Overall, Assiette is a foodie's paradise. I would go back in a heartbeat for the food but until they address the lack of service - I could not in good conscience recommend it to anyone.

Restaurant Assiette - 48 Albion Street, Surry Hills - (02)92127979

Industrie, South of France, Pitt St, Sydney

Guest reviewer - Jane

Industrie, South of France, Pitt St, Sydney
Thursday 15 December, 2005

I've been to Industrie, South of France several times for an after work drink, but never to eat. The major appeal for me has always been the ambiance - funky and sophisticated, comfortable and friendly, with a true south of France feel to it. I love how the wait staff greet you in French and appreciate when you at least try to reciprocate. (Bonjour et merci is about the extent of my school girl French!)

I met a business associate there for a quick lunch, and I was not disappointed with the food. I ordered the Confit de Canard - Twice cooked duck leg with asparagus risotto and cranberry relish. The duck literally melted in the mouth, and the flavours were to die for. My companion had the Poussin Fermier - Roasted Thirlmere spatchcock with grainy mustard hollandaise, which will be my pick next time. She highly recommended the chips to share, and I have to say they were THE best chips I've ever had! Just the right amount of crunch.

The service was first class, the meals were divine, and ambiance as always, was just right. Highly recommended for lunch or after work.

Industrie, South of France - 107 Pitt Street, Sydney - (02) 92218001

http://www.industriebar.com.au/

Cafe Sydney, Customs House, Circular Quay

Guest reviewer - Jane

Cafe Sydney, Customs House, Circular Quay
Wednesday 14 December, 2005

I sit next to Steph at work and love to hear of her foodie experiences on a daily (and sometimes on a multiple-times-daily) basis!

Given the festive season and the multitude of opportunities to indulge, here is another review of my fine dining experience last night at one of my faves – Café Sydney. With a view to die for, dark furniture and dim lighting, the ambience hits the mark. Oh, and I’ve never been disappointed by the food or service either!

My friends and I arrived a little late for our 6:30pm booking to be told that they “needed our table back by 8:15pm”. This didn’t make us feel particularly warm and fuzzy and we started the evening on a slightly unhappy note. It did, I’m pleased to say, improve as the evening went on.

The menu is divine and there was much deliberation by us all before we finally settled on our choices. For entrée I chose warm salad of grilled squid with lime aioli, fennel, frizze, pomegranate and citrus dressing. Yes, it was as good as it sounds!

For main I selected the oven roasted snapper with steamed asparagus, lemon, watercress and sauce gribiche. The meal initially arrived sans watercress and sauce and was swiftly swept away by a waiter who had noticed the error. Moments later the meal returned and it was truly delicious. My only gripe was that it was almost swimming in olive oil and I found myself positioning the snapper on the higher ground of the plate rim to avoid the oil.

I’d definitely recommend Café Sydney to anyone looking for a special occasion restaurant, or those looking for somewhere to take (and impress) out-of-towners.

Cafe Sydney - Customs House, L5/31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay - (02) 92518683

http://www.cafesydney.com/

Bar Milazzo, Bridge St, Sydney

Bar Milazzo, Bridge St, Sydney
Tuesday 13 December, 2005

Lunch in the city always feels rushed; you have to get back to work, your friends want to keep talking, your meals take ages to arrive etc

Bar Milazzo is located at the bottom of the Royal Exchange building on Bridge St. It is protected from the city heat with an enclosed verandah and large umbrellas. It wasn't busy and the staff seemed more concerned with chatting than serving the tables. When we finally ordered my friends selected their meals from the specials blackboard; chicken & asparagus broth and 2 x spatchcock salad with roasted vegetables. I chose the smoked salmon salad with chat potatoes, spanish onion, roasted capsicum and lemon mayonnaise.

Twenty five minutes passed and we still hadn't received our meals. We wondered what the service would be like if the cafe was packed - it would probably be closer to fifty minutes.

The meals were good, when they arrived, however the smoked salmon salad was very light on the salmon and would have been more aptly called potato salad.

For an inner city cafe, surely they understand that the lunchtime rush is just that -a RUSH. I don't know about you but my days of the long lunch seem a distant memory (much to my disappointment).

Bar Milazzo - 21 Bridge Street, Sydney - (02) 92527355

Young Alfred, Ground floor, Customs House, Circular Quay

Guest reviewer - Jane

Young Alfred, Ground floor, Customs House, Circular Quay
Tuesday 13 December, 2005

I had the pleasure of attending a business lunch at Young Alfred (Ground floor Customs House 31 Alfred St Sydney, aka Cnr Young & Alfred Street, Circular Quay).

On a beautiful, blue and sunny day, my lunch companions and I had an outdoor table on the lower verandah of historic Customs House, fronting onto Alfred Street at Circular Quay. Service was prompt and friendly, and the restaurant is clearly accustomed to the lunchtime crowd. Meals were prompt and well presented. I had the Seafood Casserole, which was tasty but a little on the small side. The selection was confined to mussels (one of two shells was empty), octopus and pippis (some of which hadn’t opened and needed to be discarded). The title promised so much more!

Two of my three companions had pizza – one the Martha (basil and mozzarella), and the other the Young Alfred “surprise”. I’m glad to say he was pleasantly surprised!. Our fourth dining companion had cod on a bed of cannellini beans, which she found fresh, tasty, and satisfying.

The festive season is taking its toll so with great willpower I abstained from dessert and shared a cheese plate with one other. Four miniscule pieces of cheese just doesn’t cut it in my book, and whilst the prices were reasonable, I expected more.

Young Alfred - Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay - (02) 92515192

Sea Level, The Kingsway, Cronulla

Sea Level, The Kingsway, Cronulla
Saturday 10 December, 2005

I'm ashamed to say I've never been to Cronulla. Of all the nights I was to be initiated to The Shire, Cronulla was the centre of a media frenzy due to racial tensions and the bashings of two Cronulla life guards earlier in the week.

On Saturday night there was a big police and ambulance presence in anticipation of the rumoured 'war' between locals and non-locals. I'm pleased to report nothing happened and Cronulla was quite tame.

Sea Level is located right on North Cronulla beach - it has prime position & is surrounded by several cafes/ restaurants. We were warmly greeted and shown to our table on the elevated level. As my friends gave the toast, 'Welcome to Cronulla' our waiter remarked about it being my first time and jokingly stated, 'Where are you from - the Northside?' Laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation we ordered;

- damper with sides of pesto and garlic butter
- pear, walnut, rocket & blue cheese salad
- seafood platter with lobster

What a feast - everything was delicious. The damper was fresh and served warm, the pear salad was drizzled with balsamic and was the perfect accompaniment for our seafood platter. This was enormous - on the menu it is recommended for two people however we shared it between three and still had leftovers. It is definitely their signature dish as every table seemed to order it. It had a great selection of oysters (kilpatrick, mourney & natural), lightly crumbed calamari, scallops, prawns, battered fish, chips, lobster & balmain bugs. Wow!

The only downside is the noise, it is very noisy and you have to lean in to have a conversation. However, it's lively, the staff are welcoming and it was great introduction to Cronulla.

Sea Level - 2 The Kingsway, Cronulla - (02)95238888

http://www.sealevel.com.au/default.html

Chris' Seafood, York Street, Sydney

Chris' Seafood, York Street, Sydney
Friday 9 December, 2005

Chris' Seafood used to be located in a smaller location down the road. The service was great, the food was really good and you had to book in advance to secure a table.

Now, Chris' Seafood has moved into massive site up the road that has changed everything. Sure, it's a larger restaurant and they can accommodate many more guests, but the entire atmosphere and feel of the place (not to mention the service and quality of the food) has gone.

We arrived during the lunchtime rush. Menus were promptly handed out and we asked for water all round. This took sometime to arrive and not everyone received glasses. So, we asked again and waited. When they came to take the order, we had to ask whether they still offered the two-course and three-course special as it wasn't advertised on the menu. Yes, came the reply. We then had to ask another waiter whether we could order from any of the menu items or was it confined to a few dishes for the special deal? Any, came the reply.

With eight of us dining a variety of dishes were ordered. For entree, the salt & pepper calamari looked very uninviting, gone was the appetising calamari rings in a lightly seasoned coating. Now, it is long strips of calamari that looked rather sad piled high on the plate. The smoked salmon with feta, olives and capers was good, however they could have been more generous with the feta and olives.

Before the mains arrived there was a power failure and all the lights and air conditioning disappeared for several minutes. None of the staff seemed to know what was going on but thankfully everything returned to normal shortly afterwards.

For main I had the fish & chips cooked in macadamia nut oil. I left most of it. The chips were undercooked, the fish was heavily battered and the mayonnaise that accompanied it was sickly sweet (Praise anyone?). The baked salmon received good reviews but the Seafood platter was very disappointing. Three were ordered and each arrived at the table with a different selection of seafood - some had one prawn, some had three, one had a huge crab claw, one didn't - there was no consistency whatsoever.

The best part of the meal was the three bottles of wine we enjoyed. When the bill arrived, they had not indicated we had ordered the two-course special, so we were charged full price for everything. It was corrected but what a way to finish....

Chris' Seafood - 71 York Street, Sydney - (02) 92993094

http://www.chrisseafood.com/

Saigon Saigon, Glebe Pt Road, Glebe

Saigon Saigon, Glebe Pt Road, Glebe
Wednesday 7 December, 2005

Tonight we were in search of a restaurant with air-conditioning - a big ask in Glebe. We settled on Saigon Saigon as it had opened the front wide doors and the rear door - trying to encourage a breeze to flow through.

This is a pleasant local restaurant. The staff are attentive & helpful when ordering and the food is above average. Having visited Vietnam earlier this year, I have been spoilt. You cannot compare the food - Phoung in Willoughby is the only Sydney vietnamese restaurant that has transported me back to Hoi An & Quy Nohn.

We devoured about four bottles of water before our entrees arrived - rice paper rolls and the vietnamese pancake. I think the pancake is the best offering on the menu. For our main courses we chose, chicken & cashews, beef luc lac and salt & pepper prawns & octopus. The last dish was too chewy, it should have had a light, crisp batter but it was heavy and hard.

By the end of the meal we had probably devoured another four bottles of water - it was that kind of night. With the bill you are presented with Snow mints - soft chewy lollies (almost like milk bottles) - I really like them & popped a few in my handbag for later.

Saigon Saigon - 97 Glebe Point Road, Glebe - (02) 96603888

Cafe Kouzina, Australia Square forecourt, Sydney

Cafe Kouzina, Australia Square forecourt, Sydney
Wednesday 7 December, 2005

This city cafe is located opposite Ryan's Bar in the Australia Square forecourt. It has indoor & outdoor seating & thankfully we sat indoors as the temperature today was in the high 30's.

There is a good selection of salads & pizzas available and a decent selection of daily specials. The table behind us had their meals delivered as we received our menus. I couldn't resist, I had to ask, 'what did you order?' The dish in question was the lamb special - presented in an iceberg lettuce leaf - it looked fantastic. However, the size of the meal and the heat outside meant lunch was going to be light.

I opted for the chicken caeser salad - it was enormous and I left about half of it - what a waste. Several of my work colleagues ordered the octopus salad - the verdict...chewy and they had sore jaws afterwards. The ham & cheese pide was just a ham & cheese toasted turkish sandwich, the roasted vegetable salad was too oily and the schnitzel burger with chips looked big enough for four people. In short, the servings are way too large for lunchtime.

Cafe Kouzina - Shop 16/ 264 George Street, Sydney - (02) 92475698

Asagao, Pitt Street, Sydney

Asagao, Pitt Street, Sydney
Tuesday 6 December 2005

On our way to see Joe Cocker at the State Theatre, we were stumped to find a good place to grab a quick bite. Losing time, we decided to meet friends at the Sushi Train opposite Pitt St Mall.

To our surprise, it is no longer the Sushi Train. It's still Japanese with a train traveling around the restaurant carrying small plates of sushi & sashimi but it now has wooden benches that can accommodate up to four diners as well as the traditional sushi stools. It is now called Asagao - a relatively new Japanese chain that has popped up at Westfield Bondi, Manly Wharf etc.

Alarm bells should go off when you enter a restaurant and there is a sign blu tac'd to the wall that states, 'Please!!! Take a extra care for your belongs!'. This was word for word, not a spelling mistake or error on my behalf.

I decided to go for some goyzas and a tempura prawn cake. They were chewy, hard and disgusting. They had probably been sitting there since 10am that morning. My friends went for the BBQ chicken noodles and vegetable noodles - these were passable.

The ginger bowls were empty, the staff do not understand the concept of service and the restaurant closed as we, and about 6 other diners, were still eating.

Don't bother....

Rise, Craigend St, Darlinghurst

Rise, Craigend St, Darlinghurst
Sunday 4 December, 2005

I first experienced Rise back in March. It was touted as the next Tetsuya's and whilst I thought it was good - it was no match for Tetsuya Wakuda.

Chef Hideki Okazaki offers the OMAKASE - special selection which comprises of 7 signature dishes. It is typically $70 per person but more recently has been available for between $35 - $42 per person. This is a serious bargain and consists of:

Appetiser - prawn & cauliflower salad with orange cream, pickled plum tomato salsa
Soup - potato soup with oyster tempura & tofu
Sashimi - assorted 5 varieties of today's fresh market sashimi
Seasonal plate - Rise style crispy fried soft shell crab tacos; miso - flavoured duck sushi; simmer eel fresh spring rill, cucumber, gochujang mayo
Pasta dish - zucchini flower on polenta cube with chunyung chilli sauce
Main course - braised 'kakuni' pork with asian green vegetables & chinese five spice jus
Dessert - pannacotta with black sesame ice cream & tuile

The food is beautiful, it is artfully presented and fresh. For the discount price of $42 this place is a must - there is no way this deal will remain in place for long, so take the initiative and book your table now.

The downside is the service - the staff are well-meaning and very pleasant however they are not polished & have a long way to go. They need to make more of an effort to explain the dishes as they are presented to the tables and interact with their guests; and the location - parking is a premium in this area and there is no parking station in the near vicinity - if you can score a park on the main road where the parking is free after 6pm - take it.

Rise - 23 Craigend Street, Darlinghurst - (02) 93571755

Fox Golden Century Seafood Restaurant, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Fox Golden Century Seafood Restaurant, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Saturday 3 December, 2005

Spur of the moment meals are often the best. On our way to see Jamiroquai at Centennial Park, we decided to stop in at the Entertainment Quarter for a quick meal at Fox Golden Century.

The food here is consistently good and there is a loyal following - the staff greet many of their guests by name. Tonight it was packed and we had to wait about 15 mins to be seated - not a problem when you can review the menu but it's a tight squeeze with limited space available at the top of the stairs. The kitchen is off to the right and the banquet tables and private rooms are off to the left. Directly in front is the body of the restaurant with a diverse crowd of families, friends and couples. The service is fast and attentive.

We ordered way too much food - steamed gow gees, salt & pepper squid, fried rice, chicken with ginger & shallots and my all time favourite dish - grandmothers bean curd. It was sensational.

Fox Golden Century Seafood Restaurant is an associate of the Golden Century in Sussex St (awarded one hat in 2005/ 2006).

Fox Golden Century Seafood Restaurant - Shopp 220/ 888 Driver Ave, Moore Park - (02) 93584488

http://www.goldencentury.com.au

Summit, Australia Square, Sydney

Summit, Australia Square, Sydney
Friday 2 December, 2005

Catching the lifts from the Australia Square foyer up 47 floors to the Summit you are distracted by the 3 screens with the latest news headlines. Today, the major headline was Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are engaged.

Arriving on the 47th floor you are welcomed at reception by several staff all dressed in black. The stark white decor is minimalist, probably not to detract from the sensational views. It is 360 degrees of Sydney and it is stunning.

We were offered an arrival cocktail called 'Sydney cider passionista' that was a blend of mint, lime, sparkling apple cider and passionfruit. It was tangy. On seating we were presented with an appetiser of seared yellow fin tuna on a bed of baby cress - it was pleasant but was served on a chinese soup spoon i.e. too large to place in your mouth, so a challenge to eat.

The major downfall of the Summit is the service - there is none. The staff, whilst there appears to be plenty of them, are less than impressive. Our table was continually asking for drinks that took forever to arrive and the food was bought out at different times, so some had finished their main meals before the others even started.

For entree I enjoyed the salmon trout mascapone, tiny capers, baby cress and pressed orange oil and for main the roast beef roasted angus rib eye, roasted garlic potato, horseradish and shiraz glaze. It was all pleasant and there is so much potential - it is one of the best locations in Sydney however the service lets the entire experience down.

Summit Restaurant - L47/ 247 George Stret, Sydney - (02) 92479777

http://www.summitrestaurant.com.au/

La Renaissance Patisserie Francais, The Rocks, Sydney

La Renaissance Patisserie Francais, The Rocks, Sydney
Thursday 1 December, 2005

This place is a major find, so much so I'm reluctant to write about it. On the corner of George & Argyle Sts in The Rocks, Costi Seafood cafe has just opened, just a few doors up Argyle St is La Renaissance.

From the street it looks like a shop front only. Walk in and join the hordes of people admiring the amazing pastries and cakes on display - Chocolate Granache, Black Forest, Raspberry Charlotte Mousse, Mixed Fruit Flan - the list is extensive. What most people don't realise is that the shop front leads out to a courtyard cafe.

Lunch offerings are sausage rolls, pies, quiches & a variety of gourmet rolls - small enough that you can easily justify an individual cake serving to follow. Select and pay for your food in the shop front and take it out to the courtyard.

On my first visit I enjoyed a sausage roll with delightfully thin flaky pastry and a delicious creme brulee. The courtyard cafe out the back is a sensational space set amongst the gorgeous cobbled laneways of the surroundings pubs and restaurants. There's adequate shade in this sunny space and the best part is it's not crowded.

I'll be back next week.

La Renaissance Patisserie Francais - 47 Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney - (02) 92414878

http://www.larenaissance.com.au/