The Age Good Food Guide 2007 - no surprises there!

Tuesday 29 August, 2006

It was with great interest that I waited for the announcements from The Age Good Food Guide 2007. For you Sydneysiders, this is equivalent to the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Good Food Guide.

Whilst I knew that Vue De Monde would have to scoop the pool, it was incredibly satisfying to see that not only was it the only restaurant to retain it's 3 Hats but it also picked up Restaurant of the Year - read the full story here. Well done to Shannon & team - I cannot wait to return. Each time I have visited Vue de Monde (Jan 06 and Aug 06) I have been blown away by the experience.

As The Age aptly stated,

Culinary wunderkind Shannon Bennett's Vue de monde was awarded Restaurant of the Year, and was the only one of last year's four top-ranked restaurants to retain three hats. Its status was cemented by an unprecedented score of 19 out of 20.

Jacques Reymond's eponymous Windsor stalwart was elevated to join Vue de monde as Melbourne's only three-hatted restaurants.

"I think this is the first time the guide has given a 19 out of 20," said Necia Wilden, who co-edited the 2007 Guide with John Lethlean. "Vue de monde is such a tremendously exciting restaurant — the concept, the menu, the sense of occasion it affords. It dared to defy this trend away from fine dining. It's the glorious exception that proves the rule."

There were no surprises to hear that Circa lost a Hat (it still has 2 Hats). From a diners perspective there is no way in hell you can put Circa in the same category as Vue de Monde and I am thrilled that this was recognised. Whilst Circa is still a good restaurant to visit there are some opportunities for improvement as my partner in crime and I discovered when we dined at Circa recently.

I'm looking forward to returning to Melbourne in January to try some more restaurants/ cafes. If you have any recommendations please post a reply & let me know.

Opera Bar, Lower Concourse Level, Sydney Opera House

Opera Bar, Lower Concourse Level, Sydney Opera House
Monday 28 August, 2006

Visiting Opera Bar you are reminded that we live in the best city in the world. The view is tremendous - directly out to the Harbour Bridge and the skyline of North Sydney to one side and the city skyline to the other - it's spectacular and this is why I keep coming back. It's certainly not because of the food.

Tonight we were off to see Jefferson Mays perform his one man show for the Sydney Theatre Company, "I Am My Own Wife". As it was a 6.30pm performance we had to eat early and Opera Bar can accommodate. For the first time I noticed that Opera Bar is promoting their chef i.e. awarded chef, Christopher Whitehead. The food is modern Australian and there is something for everyone.

I'm a creature of habit so ordered the Beer battered flathead fillets with chips & tartare sauce for $24. I'm so predictable, I've had this each time I've visited - what gives!?@ - Feb 06 and Oct 05. My dinner buddy ordered the lasagne. This came out in a large deep dish with a perfectly cut square piece of lasagne sitting in the middle. The service is fast, the view is amazing and the food is average.

I am still impressed that Opera Bar is promoting the work of SHAG - a great artist that is splashed across their website and also used for their promotional cards. I absolutely love his work.

Opera Bar - Lower Concourse Level, Sydney Opera House - (02) 9247 1666

http://www.operabar.com.au/htmlfiles/index.html

Victoria Room, Victoria St, Darlinghurst

Victoria Room, Victoria St, Darlinghurst
Sunday 27 August, 2006

This has got to be one of the most fabulous ways to spend an afternoon with friends. Located in the heart of Victoria St, Darlinghurst, The Victoria Room is decadent and over the top. Enter via the discreet double doors at street level and then attempt to climb the dimly lit staircase with tea lights on one side. It's dark and for a first time visitor a little overwhelming.

It's not long before you hear the hum & buzz of the large open space. Female voices, the clink of champagne flutes and sound of cutlery. The noise escalates as you reach the top of the staircase. There's a desk positioned at the top of the stairs and as you turn left it hits you. The plush, dark tones, the wallpaper, the ambiance, the old lamps, leather lounges and regal chairs. It's OTT and it's fabulous.

The other element that stands out is that the place is packed - there are no spare tables for afternoon tea - so it is strongly advised you book well in advance. Fortunately we had a booking at 3.30pm and were led to our table. You can't help but look in every direction as there is so much to see. The other thing that stands out is the outfits the staff are in - gorgeous white kaftan tops with silver sequins and black pants. It's very appropriate as the Victoria Room can get very warm (even though they have about 20 fans hanging off the ceiling).

There are two options for afternoon tea - Standard High Tea for $25 pp or the Royal Tea for $35 pp - the only difference between the two is the Royal Tea comes with a glass of Domaine Chandon. Yes please.

The menu lists all the afternoon tea offerings and on the reverse side provides some guidelines for etiquette which states,

"Pick up your cup and saucer together - holding the saucer in one hand and cup in the other. The best way to hold a tea cup is to slip your index finger through the handle, up to almost the first knuckle, then balance and secure the cup by placing your thumb on the top of the handle and allowing the bottom of the handle to rest on your middle finger. Hold the cup lightly, by the handle - your pinky doesn't have to be extended (Contrary to popular belief, the ring and pinkie fingers should not be extended, but should rest by curving gently back toward your wrist). Hold the saucer under your cup while you sip your tea (lest you should spill or dribble).

When stirring your tea, don't make noises by clinking the sides of the cup while stirring. Gently swish the tea back and forth being careful no to touch the sides of your cup if possible. Never leave your spoon in the cup and be sure not to sip your tea from the spoon either. After stirring, place your spoon quietly on the saucer, behind the cup, on the right hand side under the handle.

Milk is served with tea, not cream. Cream is too heavy and masks the taste of the tea. Although some pour their milk in the cup first, it is probably better to pour the milk in the tea after it is in the cup in order to get the correct amount.

When serving lemon with tea, use lemon slices, not wedges. Either provide a small fork or lemon fork for your guests, or have the tea server neatly place a slice in the tea cup after the tea has been poured. Be sure never to add lemon with milk since the lemon's citric acid will cause the proteins in the milk to curdle."

On a beautiful silver tray with three levels we received:

Afternoon Tea Sandwiches - Chicken & Wild Herbs, Cucumber, Crème Fraiche & Dill, Smoked Salmon with fresh Rocket, Lemon & Capers
Scones & Conserve - Date & Plain Scones served with Triple Berry Conserve & Chantilly Cream
Assorted Sweeties - Mini Florentine, Flourless Orange & Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Bean Cup Cake topped with Pink Icing & Confetti, Passionfruit Yo-Yo

It was so relaxing to kick back with friends and enjoy all these treats. The service was attentive, although they didn't bring out the hot water for our second cup of tea until we were ready to leave. A minor gripe for such an immpresive afternoon.

I loved it and will definitely return.

Victoria Room - 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst - (02) 9357 4488

http://www.thevictoriaroom.com/main.php

Cafe Sofia, Swanson St, Erskineville

Cafe Sofia, Swanson St, Erskineville
Sunday 27 August, 2006

I was surprised to arrive at Cafe Sofia this morning and find there were plenty of tables free. The last time I visited we had to wait a while to secure a table. It's so laid back there, people wander through, stopping to say hello to Paul before heading out the back to the courtyard seating. There's also a good queue for the takeaway coffee so it's action stations in Erskineville.

There's a diverse crowd too - families with small children, friends, people wanting to sit & read the paper alone. Cafe Sofia accommodates. They don't try and rush you and are happy for you to sit and read for hours. The village like atmosphere of Erskineville is representative of the atmosphere at Cafe Sofia.

Having visited once before we knew the drill, secure a table then go and order & pay at the front bar. There are no menus just a massive chalkboard with all the options and it's extensive - eggs, toast, pancakes, burgers etc - and it's a long read.

My breakfast buddy ordered the pancakes with maple syrup and I ordered the scrambled eggs with mushrooms, roma tomatoes and fetta cheese. We both ordered coffees too (it's really good) but these took ages to arrive. It can be hit and miss with the service, but they mean well. The staff are all pleasant and laid back and know many of the patrons by name.

My eggs were average this morning but I splurged on a second coffee and this definitely made up for it.

Cafe Sofia - 7 Swanson St, Erskineville - (02) 9519 1565

The Old School Trattoria, Mona Vale Rd, St. Ives

The Old School Trattoria, Mona Vale Rd, St. Ives
Friday 25 August, 2006

It's been a few years since I dined here and I was looking forward to returning. The Old School Trattoria delivers Tuscan cuisine and as I am off to Italy shortly I viewed this as preparation.

Located in an old school house on Mona Vale it has an old world charm and laid back feel. Michael & Pina use to run La Trattoria on Hayman Island many years ago and continue to deliver the goods. The servings are large and the value is enormous. The decor is basic, wooden chairs and tables and with the wooden floorboards the noise carries - so if there is a rowdy group having dinner you will be entertained by them all evening. It's also BYO.

In 2005 the SBS Eating Guide stated, "It's in a gorgeous location-an old school house, hence the name-and it bills itself as offering Tuscan cuisine. This means that besides a few golden oldie menu offerings-pasta, pizza, veal and seafood-you'll also find a real fiorentina, a great big beautiful aged steak"

The menu is divided into categories, meat, seafood, pasta, pizza etc and they have an anti pasta bar that is filled with the freshest seafood, vegetables and cold meats. Tonight I couldn't go past the baked eggplant for entree and the veal shank for main. When I say the servings are large, consider this. When the entrees arrived at the tables almost everyone asked if these were the mains. They were huge. Sadly, there is just way too much food and most of us left half the serving on the plate.

The baked eggplant was layered with tomato, eggplant, and parmesan - it was a little rich and too cheesy but still enjoyable. The veal shank arrived at the table and I could not stop laughing - I had enough meat on this plate to feed a family of four! The presentation for these hearty meals is perfect, most of the meat dishes are delivered on large wooden cutting board with very sharp steak knives. The meat just fell away from the bone, it was tender and delicious. Three of my dinner buddies also ordered this dish and no-one finished it. I don't like to waste food, but this was unavoidable.

Another dinner buddy ordered their aged rump that comes out on the mother of all chopping boards. It's a sight to behold - the meat is almost hanging off the board and is cooked to perfection. It also comes with a special knife.

There was no way you could fit dessert in at The Old School Trattoria. Which is a shame as I heard they do a mean tiramisu.

The Old School Trattoria - 205 Mona Vale Rd, St. Ives - (02) 9144 6466

Doyles at the Quay, Overseas Terminal, Circular Quay

Doyles at the Quay, Overseas Terminal, Circular Quay
Friday 21 July, 2006

Where can you get an amazing view of Sydney Harbour and only pay $23.50 for 2 courses and a glass of wine?

As I caught the bus into work this morning I was thrilled that we had picked today to dine at Doyles. The weather was pristine. I know the photo attached looks fake but it seriously was the view from our table.

Why Doyles? The winter special beckons! What other excuse do you need to book in for lunch with some old work buddies? For the fabulous price of $23.50 we were treated to Fishermans chowder, Fish and chips and a glass of wine. The food was OK, it's not the best fish & chips I've ever had but it certainly tasted better with the spectacular views.

Doyles is located at the far end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Situated on the ground and first floors it looks directly across to the Opera House. The location is ideal but the interior is looking very tired. The furniture, decor and carpet needs a complete revamp.

The staff were pleasant and our waitress even offered to join us for a glass of wine. The staff don't have the polish of the nearby restaurants however Doyles is catering for everyone and is affordable for everyone (especially with the Winter Special). This was evident by the packed outdoor seating area.

Doyles at the Quay - Overseas Terminal, Circular Quay - (02) 9252 3400

http://www.doyles.com.au/13669+0+winter-special.htm

Caffe Cento Venti, Collins St, Melbourne

Caffe Cento Venti, Collins St, Melbourne
Sunday 20 August, 2006

We wandered out on this chilly Melbourne morning to find somewhere for breakfast. Walking down the laneway from our hotel we hit Collins St and saw Caffe Cento Venti just opposite the Grand Hyatt. That'll do....

We entered and were warmly greeted by our engaging barista. The dining space was small but cosy and it was almost full. There was more seating on the other side of building but this is typically kept for dinner reservations. Caffe Cento Venti is a fine Italian restaurant but breakfast offers eggs, toast, pancakes etc.

Our barista was fantastic, the conversation flowed as he made our coffees an discussed his brief, but enjoyable, time in Sydney. The coffee was sensational and we also discovered a Victorian brand of juice called Apple Time that do apple based juices with blackcurrent, passionfruit, mango etc - they are soooooo good.

I ordered my old favourite Eggs benedict and my breakfast buddy ordered toast with jam. It arrived at the table slightly burnt and on two slices of white toast (not muffins). The ham was shaved leg ham (burnt around the edges) and the eggs were swamped in home made hollandaise. It was OK but I came to the realisation that Eggs benedict is so easy to get wrong. It's not consistently good and if you order it for the first time somewhere (as I did two mornings in a row) you will be dissapointed. My breakfast buddy was given frozen butter for her toast and we laughed as she tore up her bread trying to spread it.

It was an average breakfast - I'd go back for coffee & juice but that's all.

Caffe Cento Venti - 120 Collins St, Melbourne - (03) 9650 5621

www.caffecentoventi.com.au

Circa @ The Prince Hotel, Acland St, St Kilda

Circa @ The Prince Hotel, Acland St, St Kilda
Saturday 19 August, 2006

No restaurant should have to follow Vue Du Monde....it's such a tough act to surpass and it was doomed before we even arrived. However, we both agreed to remain fair and take the experience at face value (well, we tried...). Circa has received some great accolades - 3 hats from The Good Food Guide and 3 stars from Gourmet Traveller. The head chef, Andrew McConnell has an interesting background with stints at M on the Bund in Shanghai, Diningroom 211 and Mrs Jones in Melbourne.

Circa @ The Prince Hotel is located at the quiet, residential end of Acland St. There are a handful of restaurants/ bars in the vicinity that were packed. We entered The Prince Hotel and it screams boutique. The mellow lighting, the minimalist design and staff with slick black suits.

The entrance to Circa is up a flight of stairs from the reception area. You walk through a dimly lit bar/ lounge with intense artwork hung on the walls. The Maitre'd saw us approach and continued with her phone conversation. She even turned away to do some work with the till before finally addressing us with the surliest, most bland welcome.

We were then shown to our table in the first of two dining areas. The decor was stark white seating with sheer black curtains hung from each wall and there were stunning flower arrangements in each room. We were handed the wine list and were staggered by the size - it was a thesis of wine ranging from approx. $45 - $3000 per bottle (I'm not joking....there were several bottles over the $1000 mark).

As we studied the wine list we thought it might be nice to see the food menu and tried to attract the attention of a staff menu (this was near impossible and got worse over the course of the evening). The food looked appealing and we engaged in a foodie conversation with the table next to us who shared that Circa was their favourite restaurant and the chef had recently changed the menu.

The menu itself was bizarre. The food menu came out on a massive A3 size sheet of paper but the food was typed in the bottom third - so there was an enormous blank space. They were hard to navigate and you couldn't put them down on the table as they were too large and wouldn't rest between the wine and water glasses. I just don't get the purpose of having such unpractical menus.

For entree I ordered the Golden chicken broth with sesame dumpling, white fungi and tempura pigean breast and my dinner buddy ordered the Spice crusted braised pork cheek, kohlrabi puree, pear & endive salad. Before they arrived we were treated to a white cauliflower and blue cheese soup - delicious and a mix of sourdough and wholegrain bread that was cold (dissapointing).

The entrees were lovely - the chicken broth was delightful. It was heavier than I thought it would be and wasn't like the clear Chinese soup I imagined. It was served as a small portion in the bottom of the bowl with the mushrooms, dumpling and tempure pigeon that was exceptionally tasty.

For main I ordered the Slow cooked chicken with pressed jerusalem artichoke, creamed sprouts and almond crumb and my dinner buddy ordered the Pan fried King George Whiting with fennel custard and salmon consomme. Well, we waited and we waited. Over an hour later they arrived at the table with a meek apology from our over-the-top waiter who really grated on our nerves by the end of the evening. It appeared that the table next to us had complained about their ridiculously long wait and had been delivered a complimentary salad (gee..thanks).

Again, the food was delicious. The slow cooked chicken was so tender and the pressed artichoke was served like a round potato bake - yum. At this point there wasn't much talking as we were too captivated by our food and were surprised by how good it was. We contemplated not ordering desserts as it meant we would be there well after midnight, but caved as soon as the menu was delivered.

I ordered the Circa snickers and my dinner buddy ordered the Chestnut Mont Blanc, drambuie ice cream and hazelnut nougatine. Well, I was completely floored by the Circa snickers - it was absolutely fantastic - the chocolate layer, with caramel middle, hazelnut layer, peanuts and more chocolate - WOW!

It's pretty hard to fault the food but where it just pales in comparison with Vue de Monde is with the service and the overall experience. Our surly Maitr'd did not crack a smile all evening, she was one cranky woman.

Circa @ The Prince Hotel - 2a Acland St, St Kilda - (03) 9536 1122

http://www.theprince.com.au/

The Great Provider, St Kilda Marina, St Kilda

The Great Provider, St Kilda Marina, St Kilda
Saturday 19 August, 2006

Located on the waterfront by the marina, The Great Provider has a spectacular setting. It is relaxed, you can watch the world go by (or rather the joggers and cyclists) and you feel a million miles out of the city.

I have never visited St Kilda so had visions from 'The Secret Life of Us' in my mind. It was spot on. This morning I was catching up with old friends who are locals so we had loads to talk about including a complete run down of Vue De Monde from the night before.

The interior is wood themed with spectacular tulips lining the window and low hanging lights. It's a small space inside with more seating outside on the verandah overlooking the marina. We ordered coffees and a tea (the tea was delivered to the table with a dirty cup that was promptly sent back - this happened twice) before reviewing the breakfast menu. The menu was basic and included the usuals suspects....toast, eggs, porridge, corn fritters, piklets etc. I ordered my trusty favourite eggs benedict and a pink grapefruit juice.

The food was average - nothing to write home about, just a decent breakfast that hit the spot. We watched the different meals coming out of the kitchen to each table and it looked like the eggs benedict had a loyal following.

The fresh juice was divine and I am a firm fan of anything with pink grapefruit. The staff were courteous but having to return 2 dirty cups was not that impressive and as it reached 12 midday we were asked to move so they could set up the tables for the lunchtime crowd. We took this as our queue to leave.

The Great Provider - 42a St Kilda Marina, St Kilda- (03) 9525 5855

www.thegreatprovider.com.au

Vue de Monde, Little Collins St, Melbourne

Vue de Monde, Little Collins St, Melbourne
Friday 18 August, 2006

I first experienced food by Shannon Bennett in January - there is no other way to describe it other than to say he is a genius.

After raving about this place to anyone who would listen I just had to return with my partner in crime. Fortunately they thought nothing of flying to Melbourne to have dinner there tonight. I know what you are thinking..........so, let me get this straight, you flew to Melbourne to have dinner at Vue De Monde? Well, there is no other answer but YES! The anticipation was immense........Would it be as good? Would we be disappointed?

The premise behind the experience as stated on their website reads, "Vue de monde is testament to the belief that restaurant food can be a wondrous, unforgettable experience. The philosophy at Vue de monde is to provide an individualised dining experience which is never to be repeated. This is achieved through dedication to the dining experience as a whole; from the sourcing of rare ingredients and an uncompromising approach to classical technique, to a commitment to the very best in restaurant service including crockery, cutlery and glassware."

On arrival we discovered that we had the same table (Table 2) which is set up to face the kitchen so it feels as though you are at the theatre. We were thrilled. The maitre'd remembered us (I don't know how or why) and we were welcomed like old friends. After soaking up the atmosphere, realising they had installed a mirror above the preparation area so that you can watch everything from a different angle and ordering champagne to kick off the evening, we were engaged by our waiter in a discussion as to any dietary requirements, food preferences, how many courses, matched wines etc.

Without much hesitation we decided to experience the Gourmand Menu - inspired by the days best available produce, with a menu tailored for our table creating a tasting style experience. We didn't have a clue what we were in for, but were happy to be led in whatever direction Shannon wanted.

The beauty of this experience is that there are so many complimentary items thrown in. First up was a single mussel served on a skewer coated in champagne jelly with champagne froth, later on we received Verbena lemonade served with dry ice so it was flowing like lava out of a volcano and finally pink grapefruit lollipops coated in lemon syrup. Each was innovative, the presentation was exceptional and the taste....delicious! The tasting dishes from our Gourmand menu were as follows:

- Papaya circles served with sea scallops tartare and Californian caviar
- Seared abalone set into a sweet corn taco shell with an avocado puree and diced tomato
- Classically inspired Western Australian Manjimup truffle risotto (this is my all time favourite dish - it is without a doubt the most spectacular dish I ever tasted)
- Foie gras powder with earl grey caviar and garlic croutons
- Hot smoked ocean trout with beetroot, celeriac bound with crab meat, celery leaves and grapefruit dressing (this was absolutely fantastic and would rate up there with the risotto)
- Tumeric spiced meringue encasing Manjimup marron, baked and dressed with vegetable carbon and daikon shoots
- Pork belly served with apple cider foam and pork rillette (again, this dish was amazing, the pork was so tender it melted in your mouth and the apple cider foam was the perfect accompaniment)
- Vue de Monde's steak & fries - wagyu beef served with thick cut chick pea fries and tomato relish (the ultimate steak & fries...it will be hard to go back to the pub)
- Brie de Nangis with deep fried blackcurrant jelly (I never thought I would say this but deep fried blackcurrent jelly is to die for and is so tasty with soft, stinky cheese)
- Demoulded Grand Marnier souffle with an apricot sauce
- Banana split 'inspired by the original', enhanced with schezwan pepper and a little touch of theatre (the presentation of this dish was brilliant. It came to the table in a tall cylinderndar that the waiter lifted slowly to reveal the layers of banana split that then fell in a small pile on the plate - it was to die for)
- A selection of coffee, teas, infusions and miniature teacakes

I'm not overstating things when I say each dish was phenomenal. Each mouthful was a taste explosion, the unique food pairings were magic, the presentation along with the plates (that are specially made for Vue de Monde) all add to the experience - it is faultless. The sheer brilliance of the wine team to be able to source and match wines to each unique dish is unbelievable. There were several moments during the evening when we both just stopped and said, 'how did he think of that?'.

I have to say in all honestly that I have never experienced a restaurant like this in Australia or any part of the world. It is by far the best.

Vue de Monde - 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne - (03) 9691 3888

http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/default.aspx

Bistrode, Bourke St, Surry Hills

Bistrode, Bourke St, Surry Hills
Wednesday 16 August, 2006

I have wanted to visit this gorgeous place for ages - I had read the reviews, salivated over the recipes they shared and was looking for an opportunity to go. My dinner buddy this evening had actually been before and also to several of my other suggestions. Well, my persistence paid off as my dinner buddy was more than willing to return. Now, I was more eager than ever!

Having visited Langton's earlier this year (sadly, it closed in July) I was thrilled to learn that Jeremy & Jane (Bistrode owners) met in the kitchen. What a great story!

Bistrode is located on Bourke St just near Il Baretto (the Italian institution). It can be a nightmare to park around here, so be prepared. I walked past Il Baretto and it was packed to the rafters with eager diners waiting on the sidewalk. When I arrived outside Bistrode there was only one table occupied - what the?@*. This didn't last for long - by 7.30pm there were no spare tables.

It's a simple setting - large windows, old skinny front doors and a long bar that dominates the inside space. On arrival I ordered a glass of wine from their extensive wine list but sadly the wines by glass were quite limited, with only one offering per variety. The menu itself was presented on coloured A4 paper and presented on thin cardboard attached with a paper clip - I thought it looked a bit cheap. Even though it was dated today I thought they could have made more of an effort.

However, the menu itself offered some wonderful meals, hearty, home cooked meals that make you feel like you are at a friend's place for dinner. After we decided on our meals, some fresh spelt sour dough was delivered to the table - it was divine. After must deliberation I ordered the Mullaway with beans and bacon and my dinner buddy ordered the Roast Chicken with witlof. Both were lovely and the servings were just right. We also splurged on some french beans that were exceptional.

After enjoying another glass of wine we decided to check out the dessert menu - I opted for the Chocolate tart with milk & mint sorbet and my dinner buddy selected the winter fruit crumble with clotted cream. The chocolate tart melted in your mouth and the milk & mint sorbet was surprising. I would have preferred just mint.

At times the service was nowhere to be found which was frustrating but there appeared to be only 2 staff working the floor. I'm glad I can now cross this one off my list - the food was lovely - but I couldn't help feeling they could so much more to take it to the next level.

Bistrode - 478 Bourke St, Surry Hills - (02) 9380 7333

Becasse, Clarence St, Sydney

Becasse, Clarence St, Sydney
Tuesday 15 August, 2006

I visited Becasse many years ago in its former location - Surry Hills. It used to live in the site that is now occupied by Restaurant Assiette but moved to Clarence St in July 2005. The current location is a show stopper - it's so elegant as you enter the premises and sets the tone for a great night ahead.

As you open the clear glass doors a large floor to ceiling black velvet curtain blocks your entrance. As you ponder what to do for a moment it's a dramatic way to enter - you sweep the curtain across to reveal a few carpeted steps into the main part of the restaurant. The lighting is spectacular - large round fittings dominate the main dining room - they sparkle like diamonds. The flower arrangements on the front desk are stunning and the greeting we received was enough to make us both feel like we wanted to move in permanently.

Before I arrived I did some research on their french fare. As Franz Scheurer - Australian Gourmet Pages states, "The food is French / Mod Oz and nothing short of superb, presented with flair"... "One of the few places where main courses are every bit as good as the entrees. Desserts, so often the weak link, shine"... "Value for money is astounding".

The Becasse website lists all their awards, accolades, quotes from notable foodies etc and offers a great insight to potential diners. It's rare that you find a restaurant with a mission statement but Becasse do. It's listed as:

Bécasse Restaurant was opened in November 2001 with the aim of serving great Modern French food and wine at a reasonable price in a comfortable, elegant location. We aim to provide service that is professional, yet still relaxed and friendly. At Bécasse our primary objective is to exceed both our customers and our own expectations. We wish not to become stagnant, but to continually evolve and to constantly strive to improve upon what we have already achieved.

We ordered pre-dinner drinks and commented on how wonderful it was to have your gin & tonic delivered in a massive tumbler (now, that's my kind of drink). The menu was delightful and we were blown away by how tempting everything sounded.....decisions, decisions. After we ordered, a few complimentary servings were delivered to the table:

- small pastry shell filled with goats cheese and roma tomato (it melted in your mouth)
- small teacup filled with mushroom & bacon soup (it was incredibly hot)
- Warm baked bread rolls with butter (very more-ish)

For entree I ordered the duck special - light custardy creme brulee look alike and champagne jelly served with mushroom truffle sauce and thin slices of duck (I have no other words to describe this other than WOW!). For main course I ordered the Seared loin of swordfish with crushed Nicola potato and caponata dressing. It was perfectly prepared and we shared the Broccoli with beurre noisette and toasted almonds - yum! After our mains we were delivered another complimentary dish - tropical fruit salad in shot glass (it wadelightfulul).

I have a confession to make....this is the first time I have no recollection what my dinner buddy ordered! We devoured our meals and enjoyed every moment and the only thing I can recall is dessert. This was primarily because I didn't order any anregretteded it as soon as it arrived at the table. My dinner buddy ordered the Rum and muscatel omelette souffle with Grand Marnier ice cream. This dessert had to be seen to be believed - it arrived at the table and looked like a fat pancake but it was actually a souffle - light, fluffy and divine. I had to try some.

As we neared the end of our evening Baz Luhrman arrived with some friends. Becasse is that kind of place, understated but a show stopper.

You have to go.

Becasse - 204 Clarence St, Sydney - (02) 9283 3440

http://www.becasse.com.au/

Fox Golden Century, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Fox Golden Century, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Sunday 13 August, 2006

After watching Vareki (the latest Cirque du Soliel show to arrive in Oz) we were in need of a good feed. Watching those performers on stage is enough to work up an appetite!

Fox Golden Century is one of favourite places to eat but......the service is usually hit & miss, sometimes it's so busy that the queue goes down the stairs, the Chinese guests are whisked ahead of you, there are only 2 female toilets for a restaurant that sits a couple of hundred people, your order is delivered all at once (or in rapid succession), and don't be surprised if the wrong dishes are delivered to your table. Have I turned you off?

If you can get past this and maybe visit on a quieter night I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The food is seriously good and if tonight's example is anything to go by - we enjoyed a feast (there were leftovers) plus wine for $35 pp.

We started with san choy bow and fried dim sim - this was delivered to the table in record time and we devoured both dishes as if we hadn't seen food for 48 hours. Within rapid succession (and this is a pet peeve of mine) we received every other dish:

- Braised chicken with ginger & shallots
- Wasabi beef
- Beancurd Grandma style
- Poached Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce

It's hard to know where to start when everything comes to the table at once. You don't want to run the risk of it getting cold so you find yourself gobbling down everything so you don't miss out!

I think I have learnt my lesson with introducing people to my favourite dish (Beancurd Grandma style) - just because I love it doesn't mean everyone else will. I tend to talk up this dish so much that people are almost salivating in anticipation but it rarely lives up to their expectations (note to self: back off on the beancurd).

At the moment my new favourite dish is Wasabi beef and it is a speciality of Fox Golden Century - be prepared, your sinuses will be cleared in moments. The beef is so tender you could cut it with a spoon but they provide you with a serrated steak knife anyway.

I'm a fan of Golden Century - the food is consistently good and I plan on eating Beancurd Grandma style for many more years!

Fox Golden Century - Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park - (02) 9358 4488

http://www.goldencentury.com.au/

Guillaume at Bennelong, Opera House, Bennelong Point

Guillaume at Bennelong, Opera House, Bennelong Point
Saturday 12 August, 2006

Tonight we were off to see Anthony Warlow and David Hobson (of recent, 'It Takes Two' fame) in Pirates of Penzance (one of my favourite Gilbert & Sullivan works). As a child I was exposed to every Gilbert & Sullivan known to man and whilst I remember resenting being dragged off to see these musicals with my brother, sister, Mum and Dad, it's only later in life that I have developed an appreciation for their work.

We made dinner reservations at Guillaume at Bennelong to sample their pre-theatre menu. Two courses for $60 and three courses for $72. It's a spectacular location and the restaurant is located in the front two shells of the Sydney Opera House.

We arrived for dinner and were welcomed inside. It's an impressive entrance up the warm chocolate coloured staircase to see the half dozen large didgeridoos standing upright in a bed of sand. The seating is located in the space looking back towards Circular Quay and there is a bar and lounge area that commands the view of the Harbour Bridge.

The pre-theatre menu offers 7 or so choices for entree, main and dessert. After ordering some pre-dinner drinks and taking in the surroundings I ordered the Basil infused tuna with mustard seed and soy vinaigrette for entree and my dinner buddies ordered Freshly shucked Pacific oysters with shallot vinegar (8) and the Sealed QLD scallops on a confit of leek with Avruga caviar. The Basil infused tuna was absolutely divine, the tuna was almost rare and wrapped around the edges in basil - it was the perfect light entree.

Our sommelier, Stuart Halliday (formally Est), was excellent. He was knowledgable, attentive and happy to discuss the Guillaume at Bennelong winelist. He even shared with us that most of their stock is kept in Millers Storage as they don't have the facilities onsite.

For main I decided to try the Braised veal shanks on Paris mash with lentils and winter vegetables whilst my dinner buddies opted for the Grainfed beef tenderloin with tombé of field mushrooms, spinach and confit of shallot with merlot sauce and In-house smoked salmon roulade with baby mache and toasted brioche. Thee veal shanks were so tender and it was served off the bone on a bed of lentils and creamy mash.

I was impressed with the servings - they weren't massive (maybe this was intentional as it was the pre-theatre menu and they know people are on a strict time limit).

Only two of us decided to splurge on dessert and this was a mistake. Neither of our selections were anything special - I ordered the Pear & honey creme brulee with lemon shortbread and my dinner buddy ordered the Fine apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. Dissapointing all around. The brulee was soggy beneath the crispy top layer and the apple tart was almost burnt on the bottom, making it near impossible to cut through. That'll teach us - we didn't really need dessert anyway....

Despite this ending, Guillaume at Bennelong is very good. I'm not sure about their 3 hat status though......

Guillaume at Bennelong - Opera House, Bennelong Point - (02) 9241 1999

http://www.guillaumeatbennelong.com.au/

Whatever happened to Meals with Steph?

Whatever happened to Meals with Steph?
Thursday 10 August, 2006

Let me clarify something up front. I am not the Steph from Meals with Steph. I do know Steph, we share the same first name, have known each other for over 20 years and I thoroughly enjoy her cooking & recipes. My point here is that I want Meals with Steph to return...

Meals with Steph went AWOL in March, so that's an absence of over 5 months. Steph, why haven't you updated your blog? I have grown tired of cooking the same old, same old. I need inspiration! I know you have a plethora of recipes just waiting to share with everyone.

My favourite recipes from Meals with Steph are:

- Infamous Crab Cakes
- Toblerone Mousse
- Guinness Beef Stew

If this doesn't encourage you..I don't know what will. I look forward to seeing some new recipes on Meals with Steph soon!

Three Clicks West, Booth Street, Annandale

Three Clicks West, Booth Street, Annandale
Tuesday 8 August, 2006

It's been several years since I've visited Three Clicks West. My only memory of it was we arrived with a bottle of wine and they refused to allow us to open it. They were fully licensed at the time but it more the way they dealt with it that left a bad taste in my mouth.

Tonight, I decided to let bygones be bygones and return. Well, thank goodness - tonight's experience was near flawless. Everything from the service, quality of the food and atmosphere was divine.

My dinner buddy lives nearby so we wanted to visit what is widely known as one of the best local restaurants. Three Clicks West is owned by Chris Woodyard, who is also the head chef. Chris has previously worked at Jaspers in Hunters Hill and Restaurant VII in the city. An interesting tid bit - Harunobu who also worked at Restaurant VII and is now the Head Chef at the Observatory Hotel (Galileo) has recently been asked to be the challenger on the TV series Iron Chef!

Three Clicks West has the look/ feel of a Parisian bistro - it is small and intimate with a raised level offering booth seating. We tried sitting here first but felt like our backs were in a back brace - the high backed seating makes you sit up so straight that your thighs start aching - you have been warned. We moved to the front nook and got to enjoy the view over the entire restaurant - low hung dim lighting, deep red lighting behind the bar, impeccably set tables etc.

The most impressive thing we noticed was the staff & the quality of the service. I was completely overwhelmed by their knowledge and their attention to detail. For example, each time any staff member refilled our water glasses or wine glasses they returned the bottle to the same spot and turned it so that the label was facing us - precisely. I love this attention to detail! Aside from this they were also really nice guys who knew the right balance between having a chat and sharing key information about our meals.

Without hesitation we decided to indulge and have the Three Clicks West Tasting Menu which comprised of:

- Daily amuse-gueule (Beetroot soup with thin potato wafer and sour cream)
- Truffled salmon - confit salmon fillet with truffled leeks, four herb dressing and truffle jus
- Pork belly and artichokes - slow braised pork belly with globe artichokes, cumquats and petit leaves
- 'French onion' our way - braised beef cheek parcel with parmesan crisp, beef consomme and a black onion beignet
- Matelote of jewfish - derived from a French tradition, with steamed Jewfish, smoked eel, rockfish quenelle, and a red wine sauce of speck, chestnut mushrooms and pearl onions
- Cumin spiced lamb - cumin rubbed loin of lamb, a spiced lamb sauce of almonds and raisins and cauliflower cooked two ways
- Pre-dessert - Gooseberry mousse, champagne jelly & gooseberry sorbet with a brandy snap
- Your choice of dessert - we ordered 2 and shared - Rhubarb pavlova (nougatine crusted pavlova with rhubarb compote and vanilla bean yoghurt sorbet) and Apples in Nightdress (cinnamon apples baked in puff pastry with vanilla apple compote, apple sorbet and toffee apples

As well as this the kitchen bake their own bread on the premises - honey sourdough - which was delivered to the table warm with soft butter! I was in heaven...... The dishes were sized perfectly and delivered with ample breaks between each course. We started at 6.30pm and walked out the door at 10pm and did not feel rushed.

My favourite dish was the Matelote of jewfish - it was a surprise package - the eel was smoked, the jewfish fell apart & was so tender and the rockfish quenelle was a great accompaniment.

We also decided against their matched wines and asked for a recommendation. They steered us in the direction of a French beaujolais that was superb. You couldn't have asked for a more suitable recommendation - it was absolutely perfect.

We chatted to the staff all evening, enjoyed their stories, background to the restaurant and food creations. On departure we thanked them for making our night so enjoyable and they turned back to my dinner buddy and I and thanked us for being great guests. Gotta love that...

Three Clicks West - 127 Booth Street, Annandale - (02) 9660 6652

http://www.threeclickswest.com.au/index.php?id=1

Sydney Dance Cafe, Pier 4 Wharf, Walsh Bay

Sydney Dance Cafe, Pier 4 Wharf, Walsh Bay
Monday 7 August, 2006

Each time I dine here I always say to myself afterwards, 'that's the last time'. The trouble is the lack of choice around the Sydney Theatre - but I have since been informed that I must try Firefly, Front, Hickson Rd Bistro etc. You don't know what you don't know!

Anyway, tonight we were off to see 'Ember's at Wharf 1 - a play by the STC based on the Victorian fires in 2002. Due to sheer convenience we met at the Sydney Dance Cafe.

Since my last visit, they have revamped the look/ feel of the cafe. There is a new bar area with great images of dancers across them, brighter lightening and new display cases for their cakes/ desserts. The menu has also been revised with more dinner options - thank goodness! If I had to eat that chicken pie one more time.....

Another change has occurred with the staff - new faces, polite and courteous service etc. However, you still have to queue at the counter to order and pay. There are no menus as such just a whiteboard that lists what's available. On night's when there are plays scheduled upstairs, there's always that inner fear that by the time you reach the counter they won't have your dishes left. Don't laugh, this has happened to us several times which is why I've had the chicken pie more times than I care to remember.

Tonight we ordered the salt & pepper squid on white beans and avocado with a balsamic vinegar dressing. Are you grimacing? The vinegar with the avocado and white beans was just too over-powering. A lighter dressing or no dressing at all would have been just fine. The salt & pepper squid was good but there wasn't enough of it - 4 large pieces left you craving more.

For $16 I think this is a little on the steep side and will keep the cafe for dessert/ coffee only from now on.

Sydney Dance Cafe - Pier 4 Wharf, Walsh Bay - (02) 9241 5021

www.sydneydancecompany.com/studios/cafe.shtml

Majors Bay Cafe, Majors Bay Road, Concord

Majors Bay Cafe, Majors Bay Road, Concord
Saturday 5 August, 2006

Today I visited a part of Sydney I have never been before - Concord. I was meeting a friend for breakfast - we hadn't decided where but were just going to wander until we found somewhere. We met at the bottom of Majors Bay Road near the roundabout and walked up. There were a handful of places to choose from. Some had spruikers out the front trying to engage you in conversation and encourage you to come inside. We settled on Majors Bay Cafe or MBC.

There was seating inside and outside - the inside seating appeared far more comfortable with cane woven chairs. We were welcomed in and sat in the rear on the raised platform. Unfortunately, there was no heating inside so it was cold and became freezing as the morning wore on. The seating outside looked uncomfortable but they had large heaters keeping the crowds warm.

We ordered coffees which were delivered promptly. The warmth from the coffee was a welcome relief from the cold. We scoured the menu which had a variety of breakfast options including pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, eggs & bacon etc. We both settled on the eggs benedict with homemade MBC hollandaise and I ordered a side of sauteed mushrooms. We also ordered freshly squeezed juice - I ordered apple and my breakfast buddy ordered orange.

Behind the long bar, which runs the length of the on wall, was a barista who also doubled as the juicer. She proceeded to prepare our freshly squeezed juice using the industrial juicer that sent shockwaves through the interior of the cafe. Surely, this would better placed in the kitchen?

Our breakfast arrived and looked a little bare on the large white plates. A spot of garnish or something would have been a nice touch. The homemade MBC hollandaise was sensational and the perfect accompaniment for the sauteed mushrooms. The button mushrooms looked like they had been boiled and were served whole. They tasted bland on their own. However, with the hollandaise they were edible. The eggs benedict was good not great.

After breakfast, we decided to walk through the local shops which has a village like feel to it. We discovered a hidden gem - Bella Nice - which sells clothes, gifts, homewares etc. It is adorable and the prefect place to browse through. We both spotted beautiful clothes, quirky pieces of jewellery and really pretty scarves, evening bags etc. What a fabulous find!

The real purpose of my visit to Concord today was to experience Balcony Living. My breakfast buddy had first spotted this place in an airline magazine and been a loyal follower ever since. After months of raving about it I just had to go there.

Balcony Living does not disappoint. It is an inviting space created by Terril and Andrew Gibson. Terril's aim, as it states on their website, is to provide everything it takes to transform your balcony or outdoor room into a beautiful and innovative oasis. Today, Andrew was looking after the store whilst Terril was on a buying trip overseas. Their shop is amazing - it stocks beautiful gifts such as candles, soaps, display plates, homewares, cushions, unique jewellery, vases, coffee table books etc. Outside they have wonderful displays of water features, furniture and decorative pieces. I have become a fan.

Majors Bay Cafe - 80 Majors Bay Road, Concord - (02) 9743 1060

Bella Nice - 87 Majors Bay Road, Concord - (02) 9743 0074

Balcony Living - 54 Mortlake Street, Concord - 902) 8765 1789

http://www.balconyliving.com.au/

The East, Macquarie St, East Circular Quay

The East, Macquarie St, East Circular Quay
Wednesday 2 August, 2006

This is one of our favourite Chinese restaurants. The food is consistently good and I always leave feeling very satisfied. It's a little on the $$$ side, but worth it. Located along the strip of shops/ restaurants underneath 'The Toaster' it commands a breathtaking view across to the Harbour Bridge, so not surprisingly, attracts tourists.

It is a little hit & miss with the service - some staff are impeccable and some are down-right hopeless but it's really all about the food. Tonight, we were dining at The East before heading off to see, 'The Hanging of Jean Lee' at the Opera House Studio. There was a minor inconvenience with our table - we were seated, then asked to move then requested to move again! What the@!*

The music playing tonight was attempting to prepare us for battle - as my dinner buddy suggested, they had purchased the latest orchestral CD from the Opera House and played it in high rotation. It was alarming....

Now to the food - we ordered one of our old favourites salt & pepper squid - this was mildly disappointing - it didn't have a kick but did have a good smattering of salt & pepper. Then, we ordered fillet steak with wasabi - WOW! My dinner buddy had been raving about this dish since first trying it at Golden Century at Fox Studios. It is now firmly on my 'must have' list. The fillet steak was so tender and it was smothered in wasabi - it definitely cleared the sinuses.

We decided to wait a while before ordering our final dish - eggplant & pork hot pot. This was sensational. It had the sweetness of the eggplant with the savoury of the pork - we both devoured this dish and decided that it also had to be added to the 'must have' list.

After we finished dinner we were sitting back chatting when my dinner buddy's CEO walked in. He came over to the table immediately with his wife, introduced himself to me and picked up the bill. Within moments he had paid for our dinner despite our protests! What a lovely gesture - this hasn't happened to me before, so it was a little overwhelming. What a lovely way to end a meal!

The East - Shop 8, No 1 Macquarie Street, East Circular Quay - (02) 9252 6868

Panzerotti Cafe, Cnr Margaret & York Sts, Sydney

Panzerotti Cafe, Cnr Margaret & York Sts, Sydney
Wednesday 2 August, 2006

I had walked past this place while it was being renovated (can't recall what was there previously) and made a note to self: must visit. Sadly, with a memory like a sieve, I forgot all about it.

Today, my lunch buddy surprised me again (she's 2 for 2 at the moment) and suggested we visit Panzerotti. What is panzerotti?

The food translation is pastries stuffed with Gruyère and ham or, as I have discovered after doing a quick search of the web, tomato, mozzarella, anchovies, parsley - the list goes on. My interpretation of this is - put anything you like inside.

In cafe terms......it's in a great spot with large open windows but is located down a few flights of stairs from the main entrance on Margaret St. It located in a corner location at the opposite end of the building where the swanky Portico residential site has opened. There is a small dining space inside Panzerotti that is decorated with Italian flags and memorabilia so try to book ahead if you can.

As you enter you are met with coloured cube seating and a handful of tables. It's a quirky touch that works. Down some steps is the counterwherer you can order take away coffee and food. On arrival we were greeted and welcomed inside - the staff were really friendly and happy to offer assistance. What a refreshing approach!

We sat down and our waiter explained what was on offer for lunch today. There are no menus at the table but there is huge signage over the front counter with pictures and text. They offer fresh, oven-baked, handmade and organic produce and this roughly translates to a variety of pastas, chicken burgers etc. It's an interesting mix of food and changes daily.

I ordered the italian sausage and garlic with fusilli pasta and my lunch buddy ordered the penne with tomato and chilli. Both were delivered steaming hot, fresh and with the obligatory parmesan grated over the top. The italian sausage was delicious and had a decent amount of sausage to compliment the garlic which was not over-powering. We both devoured our meals and our waiter checked back to confirm we were happy with everything. It was service with a smile from beginning to end.

I enjoyed the experience and will return.

Panzerotti Cafe - Cnr Margaret & York Sts, Sydney - (02) 9290 1119