Sugaroom, Harris Street, Pyrmont

Sugaroom, Harris Street, Pyrmont
Saturday 30 December, 2006

Chef, Greg Anderson, formally Moran's, ARIA and Pello has been at the helm of Sugaroom since 2005. It's a beautiful setting on the water at Pyrmont overlooking Balmain - it's isolated from the rest of the hustle & bustle of the casino district and the glass walls and outdoor dining space showcase the water views.

Tonight we were celebrating - so pre dinner drinks started at my place with Grey Goose vodka shots - divine. Seven of us arrived at Sugaroom with high expectations and it delivered. What a find!

We ordered cocktails to begin and almost everyone went with the Sugar Delight - fresh pear, lime, lychees with cinnamon infused vodka & grapefruit juice - it was fruity and delicious. We also tried the Vanilla Mojito - lime & mint muddled with sugar & absolut vanilla - lovely, fresh flavour.

The service was excellent, they were courteous, helpful and arrived at our table just as we were ready to order. There were a few specials but I couldn't go past the Duck liver parfait with spiced cherries & toasted brioche for entree. It was presented on a long thin plate with three large slices of brioche and was sensational. It was incredibly rich but gee, if you are going to have a heart attack I'd like to go out eating this! My other dinner buddies couldn't go past the Half dozen Pacific oysters w pickled cucumber & daikon or the BBQ pork belly with seared scallops, seeded mustard dressing & baby herbs. Everyone raved about their entrees.

For main I ordered the Pan fried atlantic salmon fillet with crab risotto & fennel salad - this was a popular choice and it was delightful - the fennel wasn't overpowering it was the perfect compliment to the salmon that was served medium rare and the crab risotto that was tender and very, very, more-ish. Also ordered were the Roast grain fed beef fillet w oxtail, potato fondant & bernaise sauce and the Tasmanian ocean trout prepared three ways - cured, tartare & confit. Again, we couldn't fault the food - it was superb.

The wine list is also good and we sat outside enjoying the evening. However, due to noise restrictions they must move everyone inside by 10.30pm which is disappointing but understandable considering you are surrounded by residential apartments.

I am a fan of Sugaroom and will be back.

Sugaroom - 2/1 Harris Street, Pyrmont - (02) 9571 5055

http://www.sugaroom.com.au/index.html

Apres Restaurant, Vintage Drive, Rothbury

Apres Restaurant, Vintage Drive, Rothbury
Thursday 28 December, 2006

The Vintage is Greg Norman's golf course in the Hunter Valley (just under 2 hours from Sydney) - it has expanded to include residential blocks, apartments, a club house, gym etc. Today we were visiting a friend who has Blueberry Hill vineyard (opposite The Vintage) and then lunching at Apres Restaurant within The Vintage estate.

Apres looks over the golf course and during the day offers a mixture of club sandwiches, salads and light meals. We had a drink in the bar first where they had the cricket on the TV. It was relaxed and we watched all the golfers come in off the 18th hole for a cleansing ale.

We moved into the restaurant and ordered some starters - turkish bread with 3 dips (olive tapenade, tomato salsa and baba ganoush) and steak fries with mustard aioli. The mustard aioli was sensational and the perfect compliment with steak fries. The wine list didn't have any of the Blueberry Hill wines on the menu so we had a bit of fun with our waiter around this.

For main I ordered the daily market special - filleted snapper served with scallops and salad. Four of my lunch buddies also ordered this and our other lunch buddies ordered the beef burger and prawn risotto. We all really enjoyed our meals - the snapper was delicious served with the skin on and filleted - the scallops were large and tender - I believe this was the pick of the mains.

As we sat back and enjoyed the atmosphere we were presented with the dessert menu. I shared the Max Brenner chocolate fudge cake with one of my lunch buddies and two lunch buddies shared the dessert plate that consisted of samples of several of the dessert offerings. Coffees all round we tucked into our desserts - the fudge cake came served with espresso gelato so my caffeine intake shot through the roof but it was very good.

The service was patchy as the staff had to keep track of all the bar patrons, the golfers seated outside and the restaurant patrons.

We could've stayed for hours but had to return to Sydney - there was hardly any traffic on the road so it was smooth run. What a great day!

Apres Restaurant - Vintage Drive off McDonald Road, Rothbury - (02) 4996 6789

http://www.thevintage.com.au/

Inferno Caffe, Herring Road, North Ryde

Inferno Caffe, Herring Road, North Ryde
Wednesday 27 December, 2006

Inferno Caffe (what were they thinking with that spelling??) is located on the top floor of Macquarie Centre at North Ryde. It also spills out over the bus interchange and across to Macquarie University. Inside there is a bar where you wait until you are seated. The decor is reminiscent of a large American diner and the maitre'd showed us to our table but did not speak to us which was a little odd. We were seated by the window and our waiter arrived full of enthusiasm and good humour.

We ordered a couple of Salt & Pepper Calamari's as starters - tender strips of calamari, spiced & lightly fried, served on prawn crackers with dipping sauce. Our waiter came back to check on us and politely kept his distance as we kept talking and hadn't even looked at the mains yet. The calamari was delicious - it had more pepper than salt and the choice of dipping sauces (sweet chilli and soy & garlic) were perfect.

When we were finally ready to order our waiter returned joking that if we didn't order now the kitchen would close. The menu is made up of wood fired pizzas, pastas, wraps, salads, steaks etc and I ordered the "Broadway" Beef Burger - char-grilled beef, bacon, egg, onion, cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and BBQ sauce. My dinner buddies ordered a couple of pizzas, pasta and risotto:

Mexican - Pepperoni, bolognese, onion, jalapenoes, fresh tomato, topped with sour cream, guacamole & corn chips
A Taste of India - Tandoori chicken marinated in Indian spices, topped with shallots & cucumber yoghurt
Fettucini Salmone Di Mare - Strips of salmon, avocado & roasted pine nuts in a creamy sauce, with a hint of garlic
Risotto Pollo - Chicken breast fillet, fresh asparagus, leek, green peas, spanish onion, basil & garlic in a cream sauce.

My food was average - my burger bread was dry and bordering on stale but the burger filling was OK. My dinner buddies enjoyed their food but none of us finished our meals as the servings were huge - again, that Amercian influence coming through.

I think Inferno would be the perfect place to take kids as the menu variety is extensive and you could go & see a movie at the Greater Union Cinemas afterwards.

Inferno Caffe - Shop 454, Macquarie Shopping Centre, Herring Road, North Ryde - (02) 9888-9992

http://www.infernocaffe.com.au/

Reel cafe, Pacific Highway, Roseville

Reel cafe, Pacific Highway, Roseville
Wednesday 27 December, 2006

This morning we saw an early session of 'The Queen' at Roseville Cinema. Helen Mirren was brilliant in her portrayal of the Queen and it's a thought provoking look into the Royal Family and the British government. Afterwards we decided to lunch at Reel cafe next door.

Reel cafe is a light airy space with wooden floorboards and colourful artwork on the walls. We were invited to sit wherever we wanted except in the front bay window that was reserved.

We ordered some bruschetta to start and I wasn't surprised that it arrived at the table with toasted bread. When I was in Italy a few months ago I learnt (for the first time) that traditional Italian bruschetta is served on fresh, untoasted bread with vibrant, fresh tomatoes, basil and olive oil. I certainly wasn't aware of this but the explanation provided to us was that when you use fresh Italian bread you don't need to toast it. I would never have believed this had I not tasted it for myself (and...they were right).

Four large serves were delivered to the table and the bruschetta was lovely with large chunks of tomato, Spanish onion and strips of basil drizzled in oil. The menu for lunch is a mixture of light meals and something more substantial. Everything we asked the waiter about she referred to as 'light'.

I ordered the Cajun chicken foccacia with potato wedges and my lunch buddies ordered the red snapper, vegetarian tart and another Cajun chicken foccacia. Theses took some time to arrive but the food was lovely - we all enjoyed our lunch.

The Cajun chicken foccacia was excellent - the chicken was filleted and marinated in Cajun sauce - it was mildly spicy and tasted delicious - the potato wedges were also good but it would have been nice to receive a sauce e.g. sweet chilli or selection of sauces to dip the wedges.

The staff are pleasant enough but could be a little more assertive around sharing the specials, taking orders, picking up plates etc.

Reel cafe - 110 Pacific Highway, Roseville - (02) 9416 1066

Crossroads Bar, Swissotel, Market Street, Sydney

Crossroads Bar, Swissotel, Market Street, Sydney
Sunday 24 December, 2006

I love great service before you even arrive! Here's what happened when I completed the online booking form for the Swissotel:
Dear Stephanie

Thank you for your interest and I would like to confirm your booking for
High Tea on 24th December 2006 at 2pm at Crossroads Bar.

Once again thank you and we look forward to welcoming you.

Kind Regards,
Walter Ho
Bar Manager Sydney

So, as you can imagine we were very much looking forward to having high tea at Crossroads Bar.

We arrived on Christmas Eve (having popped in for some last minute shopping in Pitt St Mall) and caught the lift to the 8th floor. The Swissotel is one of those hotels I have walked past many times but never thought of going in - I'm really pleased we did - the hotel foyer is a large, white open space and beautifully decorated for Christmas. As you exit the lifts you are greeted with a large green Christmas tree and several large bauble wreaths in silver and red.

Crossroads is positioned in the centre of the foyer and the view is breathtaking - it's a dessert lovers paradise - starting with the centrepiece - the chocolate fountain....WOW! We were seated in lounge chairs and our waiter explained the drill - unlimited coffee/ tea and soft drinks and help yourself to the savoury & dessert buffet.

We ordered coffees and then went to suss out the buffet. We were all in agreement that we should start with the savoury and work our way up to dessert. The savoury offerings were triple layer sandwiches with a mixture of cold meats, smoked salmon and lettuce and also mini meat pies, spinach triangles, risotto balls and scones with jam & cream.

The savoury food was really average - it was mildly warm and didn't taste fresh - each item tasted like it had been out for days. The dessert offerings, however, were just delicious - there was a great mix of cakes, tarts, individual mousses and creme brulees including bowls of fresh fruit and mashmellows for the chocolate fountain. Everything was fresh and beautifully presented. My absolute favourite was the chocolate tart with fresh strawberries - the pastry base was light and the chocolate filling was rich and decadent.

The coffee, unfortunately, was terrible - it was from one of those pre-processed machines and was really ordinary - needless to say we only had one & then switched to soft drink.

The next time I am shopping with friends in town I may consider popping in for the dessert buffet however I am convinced there are far better options around town which we plan to discover in 2007.

Crossroads Bar - Level 8, Swissotel, Market Street, Sydney - (02) 9238 8888

http://sydney.swissotel.com/

Sean's Panorama, Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach

Sean's Panorama, Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach
Friday 22 December, 2006

The double seating! This is one of my pet peeves - restaurants that move you on quickly after your meal so they can do another cover. I know I'm probably in the minority but I really enjoy having a meal where you can kick back, enjoy your food and wine and not feel rushed! It's not too much to ask is it?

I reserved a table for 4 tonight and was informed we could come in at 7pm to leave by 9pm-ish or come in at 9.30pm. As one of our dinner buddies had just flown in from the UK and one was working the following day we opted for the 7pm dinner.

I had heard/ read nothing but favourable reviews of Sean's Panorama so was keen to experience it. We arrived on time and was shown to a lovely table by the window overlooking the beach - how gorgeous. The dining space is small and a little cramped but it has warmth and character. The menu and wine list is written in chalk on square chalkboards that are hung over the kitchen and bar and down one wall.

Our waiter was on top of things - she was courteous, helpful and listed each of the menu items with extra commentary. There are 4-5 choices for entree and main and I could not go past the Peppers Putenesca (inspired by Skye Gyngell) for entree and the Pink Snapper for main.

The peppers putenesca was absolutely delightful - think one red and one yellow pepper gutted and stuffed with anchovies, bocconchini and capers. It was drizzled with oil and presented on an oval shaped plate. I loved it.

The Pink Snapper was served with the crisp skin on and served with mash and green vegetables - it was also lovely. Of the dishes my dinner buddies selected one was the standout and one was really disappointing. The Kangaroo Island duck liver pate was dishes out as a massive ice cream scoop serve with sour dough - it was sensational - there was so much pate that we all got to sample it - yum! Sadly, the grain fed veal was disappointing - it was served only marginally warm (almost as if it was left out waiting for the other main meals to cook). It was dry-ish and tasted bland.

There was no way we could fit in dessert and it was nearing 9.15pm so we thought we'd have coffee/ tea. We were surprised no-one tried to move us on as most tables were on their second cover at this time. We sat enjoying the evening until 9.45pm then asked for the bill. We split the bill and as no-one had change we each gave some extra so we could work out change afterwards. Unfortunately, our waiter thought this was a tip and never returned with the change. After 15 minutes I politely asked for our change and she seemed really pissed off and asked how much we required. This put an unnecessary dampener on the evening.

Sean's Panorama is a relaxed, casual joint - I would definitely return for an early dinner again to watch the sun set over Bondi Beach.

Sean's Panorama - 270 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach - (02) 9365 4924

http://www.seanspanaroma.com.au/

Pony Lounge & Dining, Cnr Argyle St and Kendall Lane, The Rocks

Pony Dining, Cnr Argyle St and Kendall Lane, The Rocks
Thursday 21 December, 2006

Located within the Rocks Centre, Pony Lounge & Dining is unmissable. Widely known as the latest 'hotspot' to visit the decor is captivating and draws you inside. The bar is lined with faux pony and the overhanging lights have stretched raw hide across them (if I didn't have any inhibitions I'd have jumped up and beaten them like drums!). Designer Michael McCann (Flying Fish, Whitewater) has transformed this space into an engaging, exciting venue.

Actually getting a reservation for Pony can be a challenge however, as one of my lunch buddies discovered. This was her experience,

I sent an email through their website at around 11.30 a.m. yesterday - no response has yet to come through. I rang this morning and left a message on their answering machine to follow up on my emailed reservation request - no-one has phoned back.

I phoned again about 5 mins ago - it was so hard to hear the guy on the other end due to the noise coming from the kitchen. Anyway, finally the reservation was made but unfortunately we have to sit outside - I did request an inside table. They have a large booking inside so we are stuck outside - I hope it is not a hot day although he did say that the outside dining on the outside deck in an alley way where you do get a cool breeze.

Let's hope the service at the restaurant is better than the reservation service !!

The chef, Damien Heads, formerly of Fuel Bistro on Crown St, Garfish etc offers up bistro quality meals and also smaller plates to share (why is every man & their dog doing 'tapas' inspired meals lately?) Don't get me wrong I love it but it's becoming really common now.

We arrived today and were shown to the very long share table out on the deck. The staff didn't really seem to know what was going on or who was looking after which guests. It was clumsy, however once we scanned the menu our concerns subsided. The menu is really tempting and I jumped straight to the sirloin with bernaise, hand cut fries and watercress.

One of my lunch buddies asked about the size of the risotto and was informed that the entree is half the main - well, thanks for clarifying we are so much more clearer now! My lunch buddies opted for the Risotto with prawns, pea, basil & mint and the parmesan crusted lamb cutlets with zucchini fritters, baby carrots and glazed eschalots. There was some confusion by the staff as to who on the very long share table ordered what - they kept bringing out dishes and trying to off load them to the wrong people - it was getting a little tired. We finally got our meals and they were delicious - the food is really impressive.

After contemplating dessert we were drawn to the apple galette baked with frangipane and sauce anglaise - WOW! This is by far the best dessert I have eaten in several months. It was light puff pastry with thinly sliced green apples! Delightful! Two of us ordered this and our other lunch buddy ordered the strawberries & cream with crisp pastry. Again, we were not disappointed.

There are some service issues here but the food is great - I'd like to come back for a long lunch during summer and work my way through their wine list.

Pony Dining - Cnr Argyle St and Kendall Lane, The Rocks - (02) 9252 7797

http://www.ponydining.com/

Koume Japanese House, Military Road, Neutral Bay

Koume Japanese House, Military Road, Neutral Bay
Wednesday 20 December, 2006

After a quick drink at The Oaks we walked across to Kyushu for some takeaway - they didn't look too busy but every second table had a 'reserved' sign and the wait for takeaway was upwards of 40 minutes. No thanks! So, we walked back past The Oaks, crossed Military Road and walked into Koume Japanese House.

What a frantic little place! They were quite full and the dining space is small & cramped so we all squashed in and asked for menus. The hostess looked and sounded frazzled - she rushed in and out of the kitchen, back and forth between tables, to the register - it was hilarious to watch - but actually getting her to focus and take our order was a challenge.

We ordered beef maki (the rolled beef with vegetables,) 2 x beef teriyaki, tempura vegetables, salmon & avocado sushi, a large sushi & sashimi and japanese rice. Once we shared our order I couldn't wait to leave - it felt a little claustrophobic inside and watching our hostess at work was exhausting.

The best thing about being a local is that we walked to one of our dinner buddies' homes for a pre-dinner drink before returning to collect our meal - it looked like an enormous amount of food however between the 5 of us we polished it all off with only rice to spare.

The beef maki was good but not a patch on the pork maki you can order at Kyushu - it was served as a larger roll that unraveled as your transferred it from the takeaway container to your plate. The tempura was OK - I had a large piece of broccoli covered in batter but it hadn't retained it's crispness. The beef teriyaki was lovely with rice and the sushi was good.

There are so many small restaurants along that strip of Military Road and I am ashamed to say I haven't tried many of them. My mission over the next few months is to sample as many of the local offerings as possible...stay tuned!

Koume Japanese House - 8/81 Military Road, Neutral Bay - (02) 9908 4280

Doyles Palace Hotel, Military Road, Watson's Bay

Doyles Palace Hotel, Military Road, Watson's Bay
Tuesday 19 December, 2006

After our team workshop this morning we hopped on a ferry from Circular Quay to Watson's Bay - WOW! I love being surprised by our magnificent Harbour - it made me realise that I take it for granted. It was worth every penny of the $10 return ticket price. Word of caution - if you are concerned about your hair - sit indoors - we were blown all over the place!

We arrived on this sunny afternoon and were pleased to discover our tables were upstairs on the deck under the verandah - sitting in direct sunlight would have been just too hot. That said, it was so windy we had to keep a hold of our wine glasses and Christmas goodies - reindeer ears and Santa's hats!

The deck has it's own bar which sounds great but sadly service was lacking. The two bartenders were more concerned with imitating Tom Cruise from Cocktail than actually serving us drinks (it's a business fella's...). We probably waited 20 minutes for our first drinks and then decided to order in bulk. Trying to get water was another challenge altogether.

Our table had pre-ordered our meals and we were served two large antipasto platters first. These were enormous and looked great with fresh prawns, oysters, smoked salmon, marinated eggplant & mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, fetta cheese and lettuce - yum! We also received fresh bread rolls with small packets of butter. Unfortunately, one of our team had requested the vegan option and they were unable to accommodate - they didn't offer an alternative they just said they couldn't provide anything so would refund the money. Poor form.

We sat enjoying the view and taking in the atmosphere - for a Tuesday lunchtime Doyle's Palace Hotel was packed - outside - but inside was like ghost town. We were starting to wonder if they had forgotten our main meals after 45 mins but they eventually arrived. I ordered the tasmanian salmon with creamy mash. The size of the salmon was impressive and it was cooked well - the mash was creamy with chives dotted throughout. For pub grub it was pretty fair.

However, the service was just appalling - the wait staff grabbed stuff off the table and slammed down glasses and plates. The whole 'service with a smile' philosophy hasn't reached the team at Doyle's Palace Hotel - which is a real shame as they are working in a fabulous location with a great mix of tourists and locals.

Doyles Palace Hotel - 1 Military Road, Watson's Bay - (02) 9337 5444

http://www.doyles.com.au/12204+0+palace-hotel.htm

Relish, Fox Valley Way, Wahroonga

Relish, Fox Valley Way, Wahroonga
Monday 18 December, 2006

Hospitals are not usually known for their food - however the team that offered Relish at Chatswood Chase have opened Relish at the Sydney Adventist Hospital. Located in the San Clinic, Relish is a small cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor balcony looks out over tall trees and on a beautiful sunny day feels a world away from the hospital grounds.

We ordered coffees and sat outside on the sunny deck - the menu is written up on the blackboard inside the cafe or posted in small plastic sleeves on each table. The idea is you order and pay at the counter and are provided with a table number. The staff are friendly and the clientelle is a mix of hospital staff, patients and visitors.

We ordered 1 x fish cakes & salad and 2 x ricotta hot cakes & salad. The ricotta hot cakes were absolutely delightful - they were crisp on the outside and very soft & gooey on the inside. Two medium sized ricotta hot cakes came on each plate with a side salad. The fish cakes came served as small balls with a side salad and whilst they looked tempting did not match the ricotta hot cakes.

Inside the cafe there are magazines, papers and journals to keep you occupied and there are still renovations happening inside and out, but it is definitely the best food offering in the hospital grounds.

Want some good news? The hospital has decided to provide free on site parking over the Christmas period - this kicked in after I had paid my all day pass but I love that festive cheer!

Relish - 185 Fox Valley Way, Wahroonga - (02) 94879111

www.sah.org.au

Maggio's, Miller Street, Cammeray

Maggio's, Miller Street, Cammeray
Sunday 17 December, 2006

I was up at 6am this morning to pick up my sister from the airport - she lives in London and is visiting for 3 weeks. Sydney airport was a hive of activity with family & friends being reunited before the holiday season - it was emotional to watch some of the reunions, tears flowed freely and hugs were shared.

I had been searching for a cafe to take my sister for breakfast on the North Shore - somewhere I hadn't been before. I'd received a recommendation from a work buddy for Maggio's. I had driven past it several times and it was always busy with tables spread out across the pavement.

There were no tables outside when we arrived, so we wandered inside. My initial impressions were - babies and dogs. These are the accessories de jour. However, when we were handed menus I had de ja vu.....we were in the Australian arm of Carluccio's. For those that have visited London before you would have noticed the blue cafes in every location by Antonio Carluccio. I last visited Carluccio's in September so was very familiar with the menu. Strangely, Maggio's menu was an almost direct copy.

We spotted a table outside and grabbed it but then realised that all the babies and dogs were outside so it was very noisy. Nonetheless it was lovely to sit outside and enjoy the morning sun. My sister ordered the fruit salad with yoghurt and turkish bread with vegemite (she was having withdrawals) and I ordered the scrambled eggs on turkish.

The staff were friendly and courteous but after serving our coffees forgot our water. So, we had to ask for it again and it was delivered promptly. Everything was served at intervals, so the fruit salad arrived first followed by our coffees. After 10 minutes the turkish bread and vegemite came out and then another 5 minutes later my eggs. It was all over the place.

Our breakfast was really average - not a patch on Carluccio's.

Maggio's - 459 Miller St , Cammeray - (02) 99553303

Brown Sugar, Curlewis St, Bondi

Brown Sugar, Curlewis St, Bondi
Saturday 16 December, 2006

There appears to be some confusion around Brown Sugar - not being from the East I was provided with some mixed messages...it's down at the beach, no..it's back up in Bondi central. Thankfully, the power of the web enabled me to find this explanation from the SMH,

"Brown Sugar used to be divided into Brown Sugar Nights, for dinner, on Curlewis Street, and Brown Sugar, for breakfast and lunch, on Brighton Boulevard. But Brown Sugar has now shut (it's become Three Eggs) and Brown Sugar Nights has dropped the "nights" to do breakfast, lunch and dinner all in one place. Got it?"

It's like that was directed just to me! Anyway it was very helpful. I have actually eaten here before, maybe 18 months ago and clearly remember the amount of fish pie's coming out of the kitchen - it's their specialty. I didn't have it but planned to tonight.

I was catching up with an Irish/ Australian buddy & her fiance tonight who has just returned to Sydney after 12 months away. What a venue - it's relaxed, laid back and unpretentious - I love it. The dining space is small and there is a buzz from the kitchen that spills out across the room. From the exterior the decor is subdued but inside it is loud - bright coloured dots positioned on the feature wall, a coloured glass jar display and large chalkboard that display the menu.

We ordered the pate and the haloumi salad to share up front. They never deliver enough bread with the pate so we had to ask for more servings....... twice. They were obliging and our waitress was just lovely - she was friendly and happy to give some background on the menu items (the chef first offered the Fish pie 9 years ago and although he updates the menu regularly has not been able to take the Fish pie off the menu).

I, of course, ordered the Fish pie whilst my dinner buddies ordered the Angel hair pasta with tomato & chilli and baked lamb for mains. After devouring the last of the pate (it's really good) our mains were served. The Fish pie arrived and at first glance it is enormous - but the reality is the top layer of flaky pastry appears high but the actual pie filling is minimal - fish chunks, leeks and a mild creamy sauce. I decided to deflate the top of the pie and pull each corner into the dish and mix it all together to create a creamy mess. It was delicious.

After enjoying our meals so much we decided to order one dessert to share between the 3 of us - tiramisu. It came to the table in a large martini glass and 3 long spoons. It was creamy, layered and swimming in espresso. We couldn't finish it.

As we sat chatting and contemplating the last of the tiramisu our waitress returned to explain they had to reset our table for the next sitting. This is one of my pet peeves - why don't they state this up front when you book? If we had known this beforehand we could have made other arrangements. This seems to be a trend with Sydney restaurants and I'm not a fan - what happened to settling into a place for a long night?

Brown Sugar - 106 Curlewis St, Bondi - (02) 9130-1566

Cafe Sopra, Danks Street, Waterloo

Cafe Sopra, Danks Street, Waterloo
Saturday 16 December, 2006

What a fabulous way to spend a Saturday morning. Danks St has totally changed in the past few years, there are now 3 different eating experiences - Danks Street Depot, Wah Wah Lounge and Cafe Sopra. The choices!

You enter the large stable like doors of Fratelli Fresh and walk past the small parking space and fresh produce stacked high on pallets to reveal the green grocer and cheese section. To the left is the new Electrolux kitchen where cooking classes are scheduled and just beyond this are stairs. The stairs take you up to Level one where a wonderful array of pastas and olive oils are displayed. At the rear is the buzz of Cafe Sopra.

Chef Andy Brun (ex Fuel Bistro) commands a happening, busy dining space that is open for breakfast & lunch. There are no menus just a large blackboard with everything listed resting against the wall. There is seating at the bar and a queue for the tables. Fortunately we didn't have a long wait for our table of five.

Coffees ordered we read the extensive menu but then decided to scan the floor to see what everyone else had. Every second table had plates of eggs piled high on a large round piece of bread. It looked like it had feta or goats cheese on top - so 4 of us immediately decided to go with this option.

We asked one of the friendly staff members what this dish was and it was the fritatta with goats curd and basil. Yes please! We also ordered sides of bacon and mushrooms. Our other brunch buddy ordered the fruit toast with ricotta and honey.

A short time later our waitress returned to explain that they were out of mushrooms. Not worries, we ordered tomatoes instead. Our waitress had us in hysterics as she kept coming back to the table with coffee & juice orders that weren't ours - she then made a call that she would just bring every order to us first...just in case. It was very funny and she was great value.

The fritatta was sensational - the eggs were so creamy and the goats curd was incredibly more-ish. We ordered more coffees and enjoyed the atmosphere before starting to feel guilty with the ever growing queue. We weren't made to move on at all - we decided it was time to go.

I'd like to return for lunch.

Cafe Sopra - 7 Danks Street, Waterloo - (02) 9699 3174

Mirabelle, Alfred Street, Sydney

Mirabelle, Alfred Street, Sydney
Friday 15 December, 2006

I like the look & feel of Mirabelle - it is white, slick and the red lounge seating offers some cheekiness to the formal vibe of the dining space. Walking into Mirabelle from Circular Quay on this unseasonably cold, wet day we were greeted and shown to our table in the foyer of the AMP building. There are dividers to differentiate the restaurant and the office foyer however it has the general hum of a city office.

My last visit to Mirabelle was in October where I enjoyed the pot roasted chicken. Today I felt like comfort food and was pleased to see the menu had changed with lots of seasonal produce.

Our table of 5 were served drinks and bread - and our French waiter came by to read the specials out to us. The specials had been hand written on the dark green marble above the bar but were almost impossible to read, so having them read out to us by this lovely Frenchman was just divine.

I went with the snapper fillet served with summer vegetables in a light cream & lemon sauce. My lunch buddies ordered the spaghettini with yamba prawns, witlof salad with gorgonzola, honey & walnuts and 2 x the antipasto platter.

There was some confusion as one antipasto platter was requested with no olives and one was requested with olives. Both arrived at the table without olives. We had a series of waiters serve us and when this was explained another waiter appeared with two dishes of olives - what the!@?!

The food was delicious - my fish was absolutely perfect and the cream & lemon sauce was decadent but very, very good. The combination of summer vegetables was just lovely. We all commented on the great food and how we would love to sit back and enjoy the afternoon with a glass or two of wine but the office beckoned.

Mirabelle - Shop 1, 33 Alfred Street, Circular Quay - (02) 9252 3553

http://www.mirabelle.com.au/

Hemmesphere, George St, Sydney

Hemmesphere, George St, Sydney
Thursday 14 December, 2006

Located on the 4th floor of the Establishment building - Hemmesphere is a lounge with a difference. I could easily move in - the low level lounges with colourful cushions, plush patterned carpet, sheer grey taffeta curtains, the mild scent of incense wafting across the floor and the high exposed beam ceiling. Sound inviting?

We were warmly greeted as we came out of the lift and shown to our designated area. Within moments we had been provided with a glass of bubbly - now, I'm definitely moving in. We had a small section near the George St side of the floor - it was still light when we arrived but this didn't last for long.

The staff swan around looking like they have not put much effort into their appearance but you know their look is well crafted with many sporting some interesting body art. Our waitress was pleasant and had topped up my glass one too many times without me paying too much attention. We desperately needed food by 7.30pm (all that alcohol without food could have spelled disaster) and thankfully they delivered:

- chicken fillet skewers
- lamb skewers
- goats cheese & sun dried tomato wafers
- fish & chips served in Chinese boxes

Maybe it was because of all that alcohol that the food tasted so great - we couldn't get enough of the chicken fillet skewers. The best part? Our waitress recommended the house specialty shots - glenfiddich, blueberries and vanilla foam - not a combination that I would usually consider but they were absolutely sensational!

Justin Hemmes was holding court on the lounges behind us - it's that kind of place, relaxed, unpretentious but very, very cool. I'll be back soon.

Hemmesphere, Level 4, 252 George St, Sydney - (02) 9240 3000

http://www.merivale.com/establishment/hemmesphere

Firefly, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay

Firefly, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
Monday 11 December, 2006

The first time I visited Firefly I loved it and vowed to become a lifelong devotee. I was just waiting for the right moment to return and tonight we had our last STC play of 2006 - Alaska & Reunion. This is the double act by Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton.

Tonight we were welcomed like old friends and provided with a great table overlooking the boats on the Harbour. It's enough to make all your cares & worries disappear.

We each ordered a glass of the Grove Hill Sav blanc and then a selection of sharing plates from their tapas menu:

- Prosciutto wrapped haloumi, Asparagus & tomato
- Housemade gyoza style dumplings with spicy soy dipping sauce
- Crispy pork belly, spiced apple
- Salmon carpaccio, dill & cucumber yoghurt
- Lamb, pea & mint fritters

I really enjoy the food at Firefly and having tasting plates allows you to indulge in several dishes. I like the way they space every dish so you can really savour every mouthful and not feel rushed. The presentation is to be commended too...our gyoza's came to the table in a steaming basket and every other dish was presented on a different shaped plate.

We got so carried away that we decided to order dessert too:

- Eton Mess.' Savoiardi biscotti layered with strawberries, passionfruit & clotted cream
- Pashmak with rum & raisin gelato
- Firefly's traditional tiramisu

Let's just say...WOW! The pashmak on my gelato was like spun silk and reminded me of the fairy floss I enjoyed as a child.

You wouldn't think this could happen twice - but we lost track of time and had to bolt over to Wharf 1 for the play. Again, I could have stayed at Firefly all night.

Firefly - Pier Seven, 17 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay - (02) 9241 2031

http://www.fireflybar.net/

Cine, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Cine, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Saturday 9 December, 2006

I'll get this out of the way up front.....I love Robbie Williams. Oh how we had anticipated this evening. The best concert I have ever been to was Robbie's last concert tour in Australia in 2003. It was sensational.

Tonight, six of us gathered at Cine for a pre-concert meal. The Entertainment Quarter was beyond busy - it was actually chaos with people queuing for every single restaurant and spilling out of every bar and pub.

Fortunately, we had booked a table at Cine. It was unbelievable to me that other concert goers didn't think to do this either as the thought of queuing for up to an hour was ridiculous (especially in high heels and not much else........the standard uniform of most women attending the concert).

We were met with evil stares by the queuers as we cruised through the entrance and were seated immediately. The vibe in Cine was loud - the buzz of laughter, chatter and the Robbie Williams CD playing over the sound system was enough to get anyone pumped about the concert.

Our table of 6 ordered a garlic pizza to share first (it was swimming in garlic and cheese and was served piping hot - not bad) because let's face it..if we all eat it it doesn't matter and it's not like we were going to camp outside the Park Hyatt and wait for Robbie after the concert (unlike the table behind us).

The food at Cine is described as Italian and it has something for everyone from seafood, steak, risotto and pizza. Even though there were plenty of staff in the restaurant it was very difficult to attract service at times - we didn't have a waiter assigned to our table so just grabbed anyone that went past. It was a tad frustrating but we managed to order the following:

- Oven baked salmon fillet served on chat potatoes & topped with mediterranean salsa & a drizzle of basil oil
- 300gm t-bone steak with your choice of baked potato or chips x 3
- grilled milk fed veal back strap served on sun dried tomato risotta with beetroot puree & topped with sweet potato crisps
- risotto di gamberesi sauteed prawns tossed with rocket, goats cheese & pinenuts finished with shaved parmasan

There was a delay with our meals but when they arrived we were pleasantly surprised - the servings were huge and it was value for money - with the mains averaging at $23 each. Our steaks were cooked well and our request for a double serve of bearnaise was met however they didn't bring it in a side dish just slathered over the top.

The layout of Cine is awkward - the indoor and outdoor sections are cramped as they have tried tosqueezee way too many tables and chairs into the space. For example, we couldn't move our seats in or out as they were so tightly locked against each other. This was not only uncomfortable but very awkward every time someone moved.

We had no intention of going to see the Support Act for Robbie, so stayed at Cine and ordered dessert - 2 x Cherry Ripecakess to share. These were sickly sweet and chock full of desiccated coconut.

The concert? Robbie was on fire....what a performer.

Cine - Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park - (02) 9332 1409

http://www.cine.com.au/index.html

Bavarian Bier Cafe, O'Connell St, Sydney

Bavarian Bier Cafe, O'Connell St, Sydney
Friday 8 December, 2006

Another day another lunch - it's Christmas! Today, we returned to the recently opened Bavarian Bier Cafe in O'Connell St. We had visited about a month ago for a team function after work (in one of the upstairs booths) and the catering and service was so good that we were keen to return for lunch.

Located inside the heritage listed art deco bank building the interior is slick, and inviting. They describe themselves as, "destined to become the new destination du jour for bier and design aficionados alike." Well, I can't comment on the beer as I didn't try any however the design of the space is impressive.

We arrived for a 1pm reservation and were warmly greeted and shown to our table to the left of the large bronze bar. There is also a restaurant downstairs but we dined on the entry level where there are slick wooden booths and raised tables & bar stools. Each table was full and there was a large buzz emanating throughout the bar area due to the very high ceilings.

Our waitress arrived at the table and introduced herself. We couldn't help but notice her tight blue shirt was unbuttoned to reveal her cleavage but then also noticed that the male staff had their blue shirt sleeves rolled up to show off their muscles - it's blatant but at least it's consistent.

I ordered the Swiss Schnitzel - chicken schnitzel topped with smoked ham & cheese served with fries or mash potato and my lunch buddy ordered the JÃger Schnitzel - milk-fed veal schnitzel topped with forest mushrooms served with fries or mash potato. Our meals arrived & the plates were so large that they almost did not fit across the width of the table.

The schnitzel was fabulous & the portions are large so you get value for money. We decided to splurge and share a dessert - Apple Strudel with Vanilla Anglaise. The perfect way to finish a meal - the thin pastry was light and it was stuffed full of apple chunks.

The booths are a little tight to get in & out of and my feet did not hit the floor once I had climbed up onto the soft leather seats. Getting out of the booth was even more of a challenge!

Bavarian Bier Cafe - 16 O'Connell St, Sydney - (02) 9221 0100

http://www.bavarianbiercafe.com.au/oconnell.cfm?objID=103

Botanic Gardens Restaurant, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

Botanic Gardens Restaurant, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Thursday 7 December, 2006

The office Christmas Party! It's that time of year, so approx 45 of us gathered at the base of our building for the 20 minute walk to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Kris Kringle gifts in tow we wandered into these amazing gardens and it struck me....I honestly can't recall the last time I stepped foot in this prime piece of real estate.

Botanic Gardens, as the name suggests, is located in the heart of the Royal Botanic Gardens. This beautiful space occupies 30 hectares and is located around Farm Cove at the edge of Sydney Harbour. Established in 1816, The Royal Botanic Trust is the oldest scientific institution in the country and home to an outstanding collection of plants from Australia and overseas.

We arrived at the restaurant after following the signage through the maze of footpaths and greenery. It's situated amongst tropical rainforest and looks out across the ponds to the Harbour - just lovely. We had been informed that we must be seated by 1.30pm sharp as entrees would be served at 1.45pm. Of course, the entrees didn't arrive at the tables until after 2pm but that's OK as we were more than happy to continue drinking and enjoy the surrounds.

Our menu options were:

Entree: Kingfish carpaccio with beetroot, preserved lemon and hazelnut vinaigrette OR Roast lamb loin with leek, green bean and salsa verde

Main: Pan fried barramundi with olive & tomato salsa and kipler potato OR Grain fed beef tenderloin with carrot puree, potato galette and sauce vierge

Dessert: Dark chocolate brulee with pistachio biscotti OR Almond & pear tart with cinnamon ice cream

I had the Kingfish, Barramundi and the Almond & pear tart. To summarise, everything was very good. The Kingfish was light and combination of beetroot & preserved lemon added a real tang. The Barramundi was huge and was perfectly cooked - it just fell apart. The Almond & pear tart was moist and the cinnamon ice cream was a great compliment.

The atmosphere was excellent - the restaurant opens up to create a large open space. The staff were a little slow at times and it was hard to get your glass topped up at different times but overall it was wonderful venue with great food on offer.

Botanic Gardens Restaurant - Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney - (02) 9241 2419

http://www.trippaswhite.com.au/venue/botanic_gardens

Belvoir St Theatre, Belvoir St, Surry Hills

Belvoir St Theatre, Belvoir St, Surry Hills
Tuesday 5 December, 2006

Tonight we saw our final Belvoir play of 2006 - Keating! What a way to end the year - this musical is an absolute riot - it's seriously entertaining and real good belly laugh.

Located inside the recently revamped Belvoir Theatre is Silver Spoons Catering. They occupy one end of the bar downstairs and offer pre-theatre food & snacks. This evening their blackboard writer failed to turn up so they had no menu on display. Instead the guy on the cash register had to recite the meal offerings to every single person.

Tonight the offerings were Lamb & Pickles on a Greek Salad, Fish & Quick (poached salmon and potato salad) and a vegetarian offering that I didn't pay much attention to. We decided to go with the poached salmon. Each meal is served in the aptly named, Belvoir Box (think Chinese takeaway box).
Fortunately we arrived early enough to beat the rush so our Belvoir boxes were ready within 5 minutes. Our boxes consisted of large chunks of poached salmon on top of halved chat potatoes with a light mayonnaise on a bed of spinach leaves. It was light but needed to be mixed up to merge the flavour of the mayonnaise with the salmon, potatoes and leaves. Not bad..but for $14 a box a little $$$ as was the water for $4 per bottle.

I'd much rather go to Jazsushi just one block down on Devonshire St.

Belvoir St Theatre - 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills - (02) 9699 3444

http://www.belvoir.com.au/

Mino, Military Road, Mosman

Mino, Military Road, Mosman
Saturday 2 December, 2006

I had received so many recommendations to dine at Mino that I couldn't ignore them any longer. Tonight we were dining early before going to see 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan'.

Mino is a Japanese restaurant located next to Trans - one of my favourite Vietnamese restaurants and also directly opposite the Mosman Hotel. It's a small space with minimalist decor.

We perused the menu before deciding on the Kaiseki banquet for $55 each. I was not familiar with Kaiseki cuisine, however learnt that it means a light meal served at a Japanese tea ceremony but is now also used for a style of light meal, a tasting menu, served in a Japanese restaurant. When researching the origin I discovered that Kaiseki originally meant Onjaku, a rock or a konnyaku heated by an open fire that was wrapped by clothes to warm oneself.

The Kaiseki banquet comprises 5 dishes and all had a seafood component. The presentation was just spectacular and every mouthful was an experience. By far my favourite dish was the sashimi - I could seriously live on this forever. It was cut in large chunks and presented in abundance with a good selection of wasabi and pickled ginger. Delicious!

Our other dishes were equally as impressive - the crab soup was another standout. The service is discreet and sometimes non existent but everyone is polite and there is a buzz throughout the small dining space.

The restaurant is packed most nights of the week so book ahead.

Mino - 521 Military Road - Mosman - (02) 9960 3351