Papa's Pizza and Pasta, Mona Vale Rd, St Ives

Papa's Pizza and Pasta, Mona Vale Rd, St Ives

Sunday 30 December, 2007

Tonight we all met up at the St Ives Shopping Village for dinner at Papa's. I've never eaten there before and it was buzzing with locals. The dining space spills out into a large open area and almost everyone was sitting outside on this balmy evening.

This is OK before sunset. After sunset the open air carpark fills with local P-platers. They hang out here and wander in and out of McDonalds all evening. There's got to be another place the local teenagers can go.....

Papa's is an Italian joint with a wood fired pizza oven. Next door is Wyld Ivy - what used to be known as Seven Wives. Papa's menu offers a mixture of wood fired pizzas, meat & seafood dishes and pastas. The staff were lovely and very friendly and we were well looked after. The decor was rustic with wooden table and chairs and a burnt orange colour scene throughout.

We ordered some thick cut garlic bread to start and it was delivered to the table in a large basket. It was very light on the garlic. Then we ordered several large pizzas to share:

- Margherita- mozzarella cheese, tomato and basil
- Tandoori chicken - marinated chicken in tandoori masala, mozzarella cheese, yoghurt, onion and basil

Some trivia for you.....Margherita or Margaret of Savoy (born November 20, 1851 in Turin, died January 4, 1926 in Bordighera), was the Queen consort of the Kingdom of Italy during the reign (1878-1900) of her husband, Humbert I. On January 9, 1878, Humbert succeeded as the new King of Italy. She became his Queen consort and remained by his side for the rest of his reign. Humbert was assassinated by anarchist Gaetano Bresci on July 29, 1900. Margherita encouraged artists and writers and founded cultural institutions, notably the Società del Quartetto, and the Casa di Dante. She was a benefactor of many charities, especially the Red Cross. In 1889 the pizza Margherita was named after her - it has the colours of the Italian flag - Red sauce, green basil and white cheese.

The pizzas were delivered to our table piping hot from the oven and looked impressive. The Margherita was the stand out - it was simple and the flavours shone. The pizzas were cut lazily so they weren't even - each piece was a different size - not by a fraction but by a significant amount.

For a local family pizza joint this is good value and the pizza is pretty good.

Papa's Pizza and Pasta - Shop 17/ 166 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives - 9988 3200

Golden Century, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Golden Century, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Saturday 29 December, 2007

It's been a while since I've visited my favourite Chinese restaurant and tonight we were looking for a quick bite before experiencing the recently released, quirky film by Wes Anderson, The Darjeeling Limited.

We had booked for 8pm and when we arrived there was a queue down the stairs of eager diners. The dining space was buzzing and we broke through the crowds to reach the top of the stairs. It was here that the chaos unfolded. The staff were rushing about in every direction and we couldn't get anyones' attention.

We checked the reservations list and waited by the front desk until a staff member returned. Finally we were directed to a table along the wall in the rear. This area is usually used as the private dining room but was opened up tonight to accommodate the crowds. Within 5 minutes of sitting down we realised that they were were actually going use this space as a quasi private dining room. A large extended family arrived and took over 3 big tables of 12 for the duration our meal.

The decor at Golden Century is looking a little tired, especially in the area we were seated in. The mosquitoes were flying around us and the windows were slightly ajar so we tried to force one shut. It didn't take us long to decide our order as the old favourites were high on the list:

- Salt & pepper calamari

- Grandmother's beancurd

- Wasabi beef

- Fried rice

The food was bought out in two deliveries - the rice, calamari and beancurd first and after 10 minutes the beef arrived. As always the food was excellent - the beef had just the right amount of wasabi to give it that alarming sensation. The beancurd was packed full of chilli and coupled with the soup like consistency of the beancurd and pork was divine scooped over the rice.

Washed down with an ice cold beer this was a great meal and we rolled across to Cinema Paris to see the movie.

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

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

Ripples, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman

Ripples, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman
Thursday 27 December, 2007

The clouds parted today to reveal a stunning blue sky - where have you been?? This made our visit to Ripples all the more enjoyable as it really is a location to savour in good weather.

Driving through the bushland towards Chowder Bay you are reminded how wonderful Sydney is. The location is still under development and the first time I visited I thought it was a find - there is still alot of work to be done with the access, parking and signage and sadly these still haven't been addressed. Also the service has deteriorated. However, the food is just as good.

We arrived at midday and had to stand around waiting for a staff member to attend to us. There were plenty of staff milling at the bar but apparently they couldn't show guests to tables. So, we waited. Then we were directed to a fabulous table on the balcony in the corner. As we were seated my chair legs sunk between the cracks of the wooden boards and almost caused a disaster. The waiter was more concerned with her reaction than mine. So, after I picked myself up and re-positioned the chair we ordered some wine.

The menu is Italian inspired and we couldn't go past the reggiano parmesan cheese w 12 yr old balsamic and lavosh. It was presented on a thin platter and the parmesan was crumbly and bitey. The balsamic gave it an edge and the lavosh dunked in virgin olive oil completed the taste.

Around this time the outdoor balcony was filling to capacity. The water was sparkling below us and the view was striking. There was so much activity around us with the scuba diving school, boats in the bay, families in the park and lively diners in the cafe. For mains we ordered:

- Pan fried kingfish fillet on roast tomato, haloumi, preserved lemon
& parsley salad
- Oven baked lamb rump on vegetable cous-cous & harissa sauce

The food was delicious. My kingfish was salted and crispy and I loved the pairing with haloumi and preserved lemon. My lunch buddy also loved her meal - the lamb was very tender and the cous cous was served in abundance. The food was definitely the saving grace today.

We could have sat there for hours and soaked up the atmosphere with another wine. Bring back the long lunch!

Ripples - Deck C, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman - 9960 3000

http://www.ripplescafe.com.au/

Sky Phoenix, Castlereagh Street, Sydney

Sky Phoenix, Castlereagh Street, Sydney
Sunday 23 December, 2007

Today we had a plan - get into the city early enough to beat the crowds for last minute Christmas shopping and reward ourselves with yum cha. The first part worked perfectly - there was no one around Pitt St Mall before 11.30am on Sunday morning so we had the pick of the stores and were able to browse at leisure without feeling rushed and we were not surrounded by frantic Christmas shoppers.

Afterwards, we took the huge escalators to Sky Phoenix in Sky Garden. I've always raved about this place but today I was a little disappointed. We arrived and they didn't look busy at all - in fact they had seated everyone in the front section which is partitioned off from the corridor to Bing Lee and the entrance from Castleraegh St.

We were directed to a table in the centre of the dining space and were immediately hit upon by staff with trays and trolleys. We actually wanted to start with some tea so felt like we were turning everyone away. This worked against us because when when we were ready to eat we couldn't locate anyone!

Having learnt from my last yum cha experience at Fisherman's Wharf Seafood Restaurant you can actually order any tea you want - it doesn't have to be the plain boring jasmine that they offer the masses. We ordered and waited. Fortunately the pace of the food was so slow that we could sit back and enjoy each dish in isolation and chat for hours.

We started with some prawn rolls that were wrapped in toast. I hadn't seen these before so was keen to try a few different dishes. Unfortunately, they were dry and virtually tasteless - the toast was thick and dulled the taste of the prawn in the middle. Next up, prawns wrapped in seaweed - again, I hadn't seen these before. The prawns were almost pureed and prepared in seaweed like sushi. Without the 'blow your head off' chilli sauce I don't think I could have kept eating them.

We did pick a few winners though.....BBQ pork pieces marinated in plum sauce - they were small bite size pieces glazed and cooked well. They were absolutely delicious and so good that we were tempted to go another plate. This was followed by salt & pepper calamari - the seasoning was so good that I could have just licked it off the calamari and been content.

The staff today were dull and distracted. Asking for drinks other than tea was a chore and even the servers who are usually engaging and friendly were not interested. However, no yum cha experience is complete without mango pancakes and egg tarts. It must sound strange to order these but they are reminders from my first ever yum cha experience and I love them. The mango pancakes aren't really pancakes but fresh mango and sweetened cream wrapped in a flat pancake like base. They are messy to eat and the cream goes everywhere but I really love them. The egg tarts are best served warm and come with the lightest, buttery pastry case.

Overall, not my favourite yum cha experience but I still left smiling after the sweet stuff.



Sky Phoenix - Level 3, Sky Garden, 77 Castlereagh St, Sydney - T: 9223 8822

http://www.skyphoenix.com.au/content/index2.html

Fig & Feast, Clark Rd, Neutral Bay

Fig & Feast, Clark Rd, Neutral Bay

Saturday 22 December, 2007

Fig & Feast has only been open for a few months and tonight was my second visit. My first visit was during the day which allowed us to sit outside and soak up the atmosphere on the white lounges.

Tonight we arrived for an early dinner and discovered an empty restaurant. Outside there were a few locals ordering pizza and ice cream from the take away bar but the interior was completely empty. Decked out with homewares from Fig - Katherine Lee Martin's store in Roseville which was rated by Australia House & Garden as one of Australia's top 10 homeware stores - the interior showcases white washed walls and exposed sandstone. The main part of the restaurant is intimate with tables around a bay window.

We were directed to a table and had our drinks orders taken. The wait staff were a little awkward and read the specials off a notepad for us. Chef, James Richards, is only 29 years old, served his apprenticeship with James Pignolet and was sous chef to Maggie Beer. With such an esteemed training ground our expectations were high.

The menu consists of salads, pastas, risottos and several meat dishes. I couldn't go past the roast lamb on a bed of asparagus and roasted onions whilst my dinner buddy ordered the kangaroo fillet and we shared a Pear, blue cheese, walnut & watercress salad with a balsamic dressing. By this point a few more diners had arrived and there was a definite buzz across the dining space.

The roast lamb was beautifully presented with several thick cut slices with a crispy outer layer. It was cooked to order - medium rare - and the asparagus was steamed with just the right amount of firmness. I really enjoyed it. My dinner buddy also loved the kangaroo and had asked for it medium rare which was prefect.

The intrusion of the staff constantly checking back to see if our meals were OK got very tired and but as we had enjoyed our mains so much we decided to order dessert. Bad move. What sounded great on paper was really disappointing. The chocolate souffle was described as dark chocolate with rum & raisin sauce. What arrived at the table was a microwave pudding with burnt sauce. It was edible.........just. We should have stuck to our delicious mains.

Despite the dessert and staffing issues the location is perfect with ample parking - I'm sure the local area will embrace it soon.

Fig & Feast - 62 Clark Rd, Neutral Bay - (02) 9955 9711

http://www.figandfeast.com/

Asakaze, George St, Sydney

Asakaze, George St, Sydney
Friday 21 December, 2007

Located in the retail space of the recently refurbished 259 George St complex, Asakaze offers Japanese cuisine including a sushi train on the lower level.

We finished work early today and a work buddy & I decided to give it a try. On arrival we were welcomed inside and invited to take a seat on the high chairs around the sushi train. With drinks ordered we watched the different coloured plates go past. My lunch buddy opened a brochure on the table which revealed the price attached to each plate ($3.50 - $5.00 each). We also prepared our own sauce concoction of wasabi and soy sauce - I love it with some kick.

Sushi is vinegared rice topped or mixed with various fresh ingredients, usually fish or sea food. I wasn't aware of this but there are several different terms for the types of sushi:

Nigiri-zushi - This is sushi with the ingredients on top of a block of rice.
Maki-zushi - Translated as "roll sushi," this is where rice and seafood or other ingredients are placed on a sheet of seaweed (nori) and rolled into a cylindrical shape on a bamboo mat and then cut into smaller pieces.
Temaki - Basically the same as makizushi, except that the nori is rolled into a cone-shape with the ingredients placed inside.
Chirashi - Translated as "scattered", chirashi involves fresh sea food, vegetables or other ingredients being placed on top of sushi rice in a bowl or dish.

The process for ordering at Asakze is simple:

1. Simply select the plate of your choice
2. If you can't see what you want, you can order through any of the staff members
3. When you have finished dining let the staff know, so they can count your plates
4. Take the bill and proceed to the register

We tried some salmon and tuna sashimi first and it was just delicious - the freshness and thick cut slices was truly delightful. We pondered our next move, watched the plates roll past and then selected some:

- Salmon rolls with spring onions
- Teriyaki rolls with chicken, avocado and cucumber
- Tuna rolls with mayonnaise

We were both impressed with the quality of the food. The place was buzzing and each time any guests leave all the staff sing out in unison a Japanese farewell. Once or twice is fine but when you hear it repeatedly it gets a little tired.

Asakaze - 259 George St, Sydney

The Royal George, George St, Sydney

The Royal George, George St, Sydney

Thursday 20 December, 2007

Due to open mid December the Ivy still looks like a construction site from the street. However, with all the press around The Ivy and it's almost failed liquor license, Justin Hemmes is sitting on a goldmine again.

The Ivy is to comprise a boutique hotel, bars, a day spa, nine restaurants, a swimming pool with bar, European-style laneways, gardens, cafes, retail outlets, delicatessens, a ballroom and office space. I can't wait to see it finished.

Tonight we decided to try the only open venue within The Ivy complex....The Royal George. This is a blokes pub complete with exposed brick walls, wooden panelling, minimal chairs & tables, a large billiard table and pokies. Even though it has been open since last Friday it could have easily been opening night. The comedy of errors was a mile long but we still had a great time.

Justin Hemmes was sitting outside with some friends as we wandered up to the entrance. The huge bouncers welcomed us inside and we took the stairs up to the main bar. It was packed inside but we managed to find one table at the rear just near the back stairs. On the table was a postcard advertising lunch and dinner and the message - receive a complimentary beverage with every meal purchased*. There was no explanation around what this involved so we grabbed the first available staff member who had absolutely no idea what it referred to. To his credit he went to the bar to find out for us and returned to say we would receive a complimentary house wine, spirit or beer with each meal ordered. We asked where we ordered the meals and again, he didn't know so went to find out. Turns out you order and pay at the bar and are provided with a buzzer. Then you retrieve your meals from the kitchen and grab some cutlery and napkins from the bar.

One of my dinner buddies went up to the bar to order a bottle of wine and asked to see the wine list. 'Wine list?' came the reply. She asked to see a list of the available bottles and was told there was no wine list. She asked what they did offer by the bottle and the bar tender replied with 'you tell me what you want and I'll see if we have it'. So, there are some teething issues in their first week of operation.....

This extended to enquiring where the female toilets were - 'sorry, no idea' came the reply; when we did find out we discovered that there were only 3 female toilets, two basins and one mirror - clearly it was designed by a man; and being served an empty pepper grinder with our meals.

The minute, open kitchen with two chefs working side by side seemed far too small but the meals were pretty good and excellently priced. One of my dinner buddies enjoyed chatting up the head chef who was very easy on the eye and more than happy to speak with us. The menu comprised of t-bone steaks, home made lasagna, pork cutlets, pies and schnitzels which could be summed up a pub grub.

I ordered the Steak, guinness and mushroom pie with peas and mash as did two of my dinner buddies and the others ordered the Poached chicken salad with iceberg, bocconcini, roasted cherry tomatoes and Chicken schnitzel with mash, salad and a choice of sauced. Each meal was priced under $15 each. The pie was served on large plate with a medium size ramekin dish filled with steak, guiness & mushrooms and covered with a layer of thin, flaky puff pastry. We were all disappointed with the amount of peas & mash served alongside the pie

For pub grub is was pretty good and I'm sure the venue, service and food will continue to improve.

The Royal George - 320 George St, Sydney - (02) 9254 8002

Cafe Chicane, Bond St, Sydney

Cafe Chicane, Bond St, Sydney

Tuesday 18 December, 2007

Nestled at the rear of a forecourt between 2 large buildings on Bond St is a real find. Cafe Chicane offers indoor/ outdoor seating, large screen TV's, a bar and restaurant. I didn't know it even existed until today and will definitely be back.

We arrived at 1pm with a group of 8 - the place was packed to the rafters and there was a great buzz. There were no staff around however we found our reserved table and made ourselves comfortable. The decor offers a feature wall, wood panelling on the side wall and low hanging light fixtures - it's appealing and a little bit funky.

Shortly afterwards a staff member appeared and took our drinks orders. The menus were already on the table and we were transfixed. Offering breakfast (including Toby's Estate coffee) & lunch during the week and dinner on Thursday & Friday this place is very, very reasonably priced. The menus also recommend a beer or wine with each meal which is a great touch.

I couldn't go past the steak burger with caramelised onion, iceberg lettuce, tomato and house mayo and I asked for it to be cooked medium rare. My lunch buddies ordered the salt & pepper calamari, grilled salmon, fish & chips and porcini risotto. We did have to wait a little while for our meals however we were in no rush today and were happy to soak up the atmosphere. The staff were run of their feet trying to accommodate the crowds but did so with a smile on their faces.

The meals arrived in stages and my steak burger was delivered on a large white round plate with a small side dish of tomato sauce and a large side dish of chunky fries coated in chicken salt. The steak wasn't cooked medium rare it was more like a medium well steak however it was actually pretty good.

There wasn't much talking as we tucked into our meals. Cafe Chicane is a find - it is very reasonable, the food is good and it offers some great people watching.

Cafe Chicane - Shop 2 /10 Bond Street, Sydney - (02) 9232 4456

Belgian Beer Cafe, Harrington St, The Rocks

Belgian Beer Cafe, Harrington St, The Rocks
Monday 17 December, 2007

My dinner buddy had recently returned from Ireland where she was based for several years - so tonight was a great reunion. We met in the bar which is to the left from the entrance. First, you need to step across the clear perspex flooring exposing foundation stones - that are decorated for Christmas - very tacky!

The Heritage Belgian Beer Cafe was designed by the trendsetting Belgium-based design firm, Creneau. It is a place of glowing mahogany-stained solid oak, engraved bar stools, bevelled mirrors, vintage beer posters and etched glass. We were directed to a table for 2 by the window and then left alone for ages before our drinks orders were taken. This was fine as we were talking so much but after we did finally order drinks we were then approached in quick succession by several staff members for our meal orders.

On the menu is traditional Belgium food ranging from schnitzels, 'moules frites' (mussels with chips) cooked up eight different ways, steaks, sausages, meat balls and a variety of seafood. I decided to order the house speciality - this is the first time I've ordered the mussels - usually I go with the steak - and I opted for the Provencale cooked with tomatoes, herbs and garlic. The menu also provides some necessary advice:

Hint: Keep the shell from the first mussel you eat and use this as your pincher for the rest of the dish. So please... NO KNIVES AND FORKS. Our mussels are always of prime eating quality, however, in July and August they may have a slightly different taste because it is their spawning season.

My dinner buddy ordered the Chicken & Mushroom Vol au Vent - slightly creamy chicken, mushroom & asparagus casserole served in puff pastry case with chips and salad. When our meals arrived we laughed at their size - they were enormous! My mussels arrived in a large black pot with lid that was removed by the waiter and also served with a side of chunky fries. I thoroughly enjoyed the mussels but struggled to get through the entire pot. I did, however, use their recommended technique and it worked a treat!

The Belgian Beer Cafe currently offers several promotions:

MUSSEL MEN ...

Wednesdays will never be the same again - boys can head down between 6-10pm on Wednesday nights for half-price mussels.

LADIES IN RED ...

Ladies, while the guys are stuffing themselves with half-price mussels, you can be sipping your way (responsibly of course) through your complimentary Kriek draught beer - all you have to do is be sure to be dressed in red, and you can enjoy Belgium's finest cherry-flavoured beer - between 6-10pm the Krieks are on us.

Belgian Beer Cafe - 129-135 Harrington St, The Rocks - (02) 9241 1775

http://www.belgian-beer-cafe.com.au/default.asp?id=1

Fisherman's Wharf Seafood Restaurant, Bank St, Pyrmont

Fisherman's Wharf Seafood Restaurant, Bank St, Pyrmont

Saturday 15 December, 2007

Who knew there was yum cha at the Fish Markets? I certainly didn't so it was a real treat to experience it today. When I arrived at the Fish markets this morning I was really impressed to discover parking attendants directing you to the available car spaces - what a nice surprise.

I met my yum cha buddy on the ground floor at the base of the stairs leading up to the restaurant. The entrance is almost directly opposite the Blackwattle Deli. There is a restaurant attendant and counter on the ground floor to direct you upstairs and show you to a table. Up the stairs is a large open dining space with plush blue carpet and formal tables and chairs. To the left is a spectacular fish tank and long bar area. We were seated and my lunch buddy who is very experienced with yum cha and speaks the language took control. This was great as I learnt heaps today.

Did you know you can request several different types of tea? I had always thought that Chinese Tea was jasmine only but my yum cha buddy explained that is is similar to asking for English tea where the varieties are Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Darjeeling etc. Personally, I'm not a fan of tea so was happy for my yum cha buddy to order the Tit-kwon Yan which is a Chinese black tea.

We watched the trolleys and trays go past and decided to start with BBQ pork wrapped in flat noodles and a hefty dose of chilli sauce. This was swiftly followed by vegetable dumplings, fried calamari and scallop dumplings. I was in heaven. I also learnt that if you speak the language you can obtain more food and better yet, request food that hasn't even done the rounds yet! I wanted eggs tarts and was determined to have them before we left but we couldn't see them anywhere. We asked a few people and then my yum cha buddy took control and spoke with someone who returned promptly with 2 egg tarts - sensational!

I was really impressed with the food and as we were settling our bill Luke Mangan from Glass Brasserie, Hilton Hotel arrived for lunch. The bill worked out to be less than $15 each - bargain. Fisherman's Wharf Seafood Restaurant is open for lunch from 11.00 am to 3 pm (Mon-Fri) and 10.00 am - 4 pm (Sat-Sun) and dinner from 5.30 pm to midnight every night.

Fisherman's Wharf Seafood Restaurant - Bank St, Pyrmont - (02) 9660 9888

Blue Water Cafe, South Steyne, Manly

Blue Water Cafe, South Steyne, Manly

Thursday 13 December, 2007

It's been years since I've taken a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly and I'd seriously forgotten how big the waves are as you cross the heads - I'm not joking....these waves were huge and the ferry was being rocked back and forth like a small dingy.

We arrived safely at Manly Wharf and it was like the whole of Manly was on holidays - everyone was out and about and the standard outfit was boardshorts and thongs. It takes a while to adjust after coming from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Blue Water Cafe is located on the beachfront, so we walked from the ferry wharf through the shops and up the paved mall to South Steyne. The whole area has undergone a facelift and some of the beachfront cafes/ bars look great e.g. The Shore Club. The Blue Water Cafe spills out onto the sidewalk and has large feature walls inside and a long bar area.

Outside the decor is white chairs and tables and inside it is all wood with sideboards displaying huge vases of flowers. Our group of 20 were welcomed inside and shown to a table at the rear of the cafe directly in front of the kitchen. They had spilt us over 2 tables which was a little awkward however there was plenty of room.

The menu is varied with daily specials and I couldn't go past the Red snapper with chilli fries and tomato salad. My lunch buddies ordered the salt & pepper calamari, beef burger, prawn curry, nachos and beer battered fish & chips. The staff took the orders from each table at intervals which meant we were all eating at different times.

After enjoying a mix of herb & garlic bread our meals arrived. The servings were huge and my red snapper was presented as a thick cut slice on a bed of thin fries coated with chilli flakes with an enormous salad on the side. My lunch buddies were equally impressed with their meals and we all eyed of each other's meals with envy.

The wine flowed and we exchanged Kris Kringle gifts which resulted in lots of laughs. The dessert menus were placed on the table and there was no need to twist our arms.....the chocolate rocher cake with frangelico anglaise was the absolute highlight - it was truly extravagant, incredibly rich and very, very good.

We could have sat there for hours but moved onto the Manly Wharf Hotel instead.

Blue Water Cafe - 28 South Steyne, Manly - (02) 9976 2051

Vaucluse House Tearooms, Wentworth Rd, Vaucluse

Vaucluse House Tearooms, Wentworth Rd, Vaucluse

Sunday 9 December, 2007

The Tearooms overlook the grounds and gardens of Vaucluse House - an historic house set amongst 26 acres of beautiful greenery. I remember coming here as a child on a school excursion and some background research provided/ reminded me of the following information:

"Vaucluse House is a rare survival of a 19th century harbourside estate. It retains most of its domestic offices and kitchen, stables and outbuildings and is still surrounded by 26 acres (ten hectares) of gardens and grounds.

Begun as a small cottage in 1803, Vaucluse House greatest significance comes from its later ownership by the Australian patriot William Charles Wentworth, his wife Sarah and their family of 10 children. The Wentworths lived at Vaucluse House from 1827–53 and again in 1861–62. They rebuilt and greatly enlarged the house.

William Charles Wentworth's achievements include exploration, lifelong agitation for representative government, the formation of the nation's first university and numerous other political achievements. He was instrumental in drafting the constitution which gave New South Wales responsible government in 1856.

Vaucluse House paints a picture of the social aspirations and lifestyles of the Wentworths and of the servants both convict and free, who lived and worked there. The Gothic Revival mansion, with its picturesque turrets and castellations, includes fashionable entertaining rooms and functional 'back of house' areas. The interior includes original Wentworth pieces together with furniture, furnishings, and collections of the early to mid 19th century.
The extensive gardens and grounds have been restored to their 19th century character. The 26 acre estate includes pleasure garden, kitchen garden, paddocks, bushland and beach frontage. Today, Vaucluse House is one of the few 19th century houses on Sydney Harbour retaining a significant part of its original setting."

We had walked to the Tearooms this morning from New South Head Rd with a pram in tow. The walk down hill was quite pleasant until it dawned on us that we would have to walk back up! The Tearooms were empty and we grabbed a table in the shade as it was a scorcher in the sun. The staff were still setting the tables and it looked as if every table was reserved for lunch. The brunch menu was lean with only 5 offerings:

• french toast, honey & ricotta
• tearooms porridge, rhubarb compote, brown sugar
• bacon, free range eggs, mushrooms, tomato chutney
• smoked salmon, spinach & goats cheese ‘open faced' omelette
• raisin & cinnamon toast or banana bread

We decided to order a few things and share. I thought the food was OK and very reasonable - there was nothing over $14. The staff were inexperienced but pleasant and they kept the water glasses topped up. The lunch crowd started arriving around 12pm and the Tearooms filled quickly. We were not hurried to move on and ordered another round of coffees.

The gardens and grounds are worth a visit and yes, the hike back up to New South Head Rd was a challenge with a full belly..........

Vaucluse House Tearooms - Wentworth Rd, Vaucluse - (02) 9388 8188

http://www.hht.net.au/museums/vaucluse_house/tearooms

Pink Salt, Cross St, Double Bay

Pink Salt, Cross St, Double Bay
Saturday 8 December, 2007

The Diva's came together today for Christmas lunch. After a year of high tea's and lunchtime catch ups in the city we decided to try Pink Salt. One Diva knows the owners of Pink Salt and arranged a fabulous table for us in the enclosed terrace that spills onto the sidewalk.

The look is shabby chic or as Pink Salt terms it - pink chic. Each table has pink throws draped over the chairs and the white leather lounges host an array of cushions. It's warm and welcoming and almost like you are visiting a friend's place as the leather is a little worn from over use. The interior is decked out with chandeliers, a pink metallic feature wall and a white marble bar. Further inside it is quite dark and when you visit the toilets there should be torches provided (especially if you have been sitting outside in the sun!).

For those of you who remember, Pink Salt was first featured on 'My Restaurant Rules 2' and owners Evan Hansimikali and Belle Serventi have gained quite a following since they re-opened in Double Bay. Evan was present today and was a gracious host, happy to chat and gave us each a complimentary pink fluffy cupcake as we were leaving.

The menu is small with specials offered each day of the week that include a main meal, glass of wine and salad for $33. There are burgers, a handful of fish and meat dishes plus list of entrees to select from. We decided to share a couple of entrees up front:

- Salt & pepper calamari
- Duck liver and foie gras terrine with toasted brioche and fruit relish

The salt & pepper calamari was sensational and served in very large scored pieces with a very light crispy outer. A nice, spicy chilli sauce was provided to accompany the calamari and we polished that off with ease. The terrine was incredibly decadent and we ordered some extra bread rolls to polish it off. Why it that always the way? Do they expect you to layer the terrine an inch thick on each piece of bread?

For mains, we ordered:

- Beef fillet steak served with hand cut fries and bearnaise sauce x 2
- Steamed blue eye cod with chilli fennel
- Confit duck leg with pan fried gnocchi

The presentation of each dish was just superb - the steak came perched on a large mushroom and the hand cut fries were served in rolled paper. My steak as cooked to order - medium rare - and I enjoyed every single mouthful.

You would think after all this food that we couldn't possibly fit in anything else.....however, we are talking about the diva's. Three serves of sorbet & ice cream and one serve of vanilla creme brulee later we were done. The sorbet & ice cream came to table on a large rectangle plate and four large Chinese soup spoons. Each spoon contained either a scoop of sorbet or ice cream - vanilla bean, pineapple, strawberry and chocolate. The brulee was the largest brulee I have ever seen with the thickest top layer that we had great fun tapping through with our spoons.

Pink Salt is a great place for a lazy long lunch. Request a table outside.

Pink Salt - 53 Cross St, Double Bay - (02) 9328 1664

http://www.pinksalt.com.au/

Intermezzo, Martin Pl, Sydney

Intermezzo, Martin Pl, Sydney

Thursday 6 December, 2007

I really enjoyed this place the first time I visited and was thrilled to return tonight. We had been at a networking event in the Lobby Bar and by 8.30pm were starving. Even though we didn't have a reservation we approached the Maitre'd and were welcomed through to a table overlooking Martin Place. This was perfect for people watching and the punters heading in and out of the Crystal Bar.

Head of the open kitchen is chef Mario Percuoco, who continues his family's legacy of passion for Italian food (father Armando Percuoco has been in charge of Buon Ricordo for almost 20 years). Our waiter was engaging and very professional - he delivered a plate of fresh bread, olive oil and balsamic in a dish and green olives which we devoured while we looked over the menus.

Where to start? All the food sounded fabulous, especially with the traditional Italian names listed and it was really hard to decide. I settled on the Tagliatelle al Tartufo - with wild mushroom, ricotta and black truffles. One dinner buddy ordered the Fagotti di Vitello - veal roll filled with pancetta, smoked bocconcini, pine nuts, baby spinach and raisins cooked in tomato concasse and our other dinner buddy struggled with her decision and put it to our waiter - what would you order? It was a choice between:

Rotollo D'Agnelo - marinated Victorian Gippsland lamb tenderloin fillets wrapped in pancetta served with sauteed red capsicum and polenta

Linguine Scampi - with New Zealand scampi, fresh cherry tomatoes and chilli

Our waiter made a hilarious pun about being indecisive and then offered to surprise her. We thought this was a great idea and looked forward to seeing what was delivered to the table.

The food was outstanding - I was so truly impressed with my tagliatelle - it was cooked al dente and the portion size was just enough to satisfy me. The combination of the wild mushrooms and black truffles was very flavoursome and for a mushroom lover seriously good. My dinner buddies both thoroughly enjoyed their meals and I'm sure you are wondering what the surprise was.......lamb.

Intermezzo is located in the heart of the city in Martin Place and situated on the lobby level of the Westin Hotel. This is an authentic Italian experience for those of you who appreciate good food, the best ingredients and are prepared to pay for it (the mains are between $31 - $41 each).

Intermezzo - 1 Martin Place, Sydney - (02) 9229 7700

http://www.gposydney.com/

Balmoral Beach Club, The Esplanade, Balmoral

Balmoral Beach Club, The Esplanade, Balmoral

Sunday 2 December, 2007

Established in 1914, the Balmoral Beach Club is located at the northern end of Balmoral Beach. This exclusive club occupies a prime beachfront site and requires a pin code to enter.

Today, one of my lunch buddies (a member) invited a few of us for Sunday lunch. Once a month the Beach Club offers Sunday lunch to members and guests for $30pp. I was excited as I'd always wondered what was behind the non-descript gated entrance.

We arrived and walked up the ramp and into a small-ish room where tables were set for lunch. With windows on 3 sides of the room to take advantage of the spectacular view we sat down under the sky light. The Beach Club offers food only so drinks are BYO and there's no holding back with members lugging in bags and bags of grog.

The staff were young and inexperienced however they were very polite. They provided us with menus which revealed that lunch today was a choice of:

Paella with chorizo, chicken and mixed seafood - OR

Crispy pork with crab and green pawpaw salad with chilli caramel

Figs with goats cheese, pecans and honey - OR

Baked cheesecake with fresh mango

We ordered and sat back to take in the amazing view and watch the beach and surrounding parks fill up below. From our vantage point at the Balmoral Beach Club we felt very lucky to be here.

Our mains arrived and they all looked fabulous. My paella was rich with tomato and contained a generous serve of chorizo surrounding by grilled prawns. For dessert I had ordered the figs and was again impressed with the portion size. The figs were halved and smothered in goats cheese and drizzled in honey - very more-ish and decadent.

After a very satisfying lunch we took a tour of the Beach Club facilities. Wow! With BBQ facilities, plenty of indoor/ outdoor tables and a small grass area with direct beach access we were sold. This place is amazing. I'm already looking forward to my invitation to return.

Balmoral Beach Club - 6 The Esplanade, Balmoral - (02) 9969 8429

http://www.balmoralbeachclub.com.au/home.cfm

Kazbah, Darling Street, Balmain

Kazbah, Darling Street, Balmain

Saturday 1 December, 2007

Open since 1998 Kazbah serves a selection of North African, Moroccan & Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. After my recent trip to Dubai, in which I lugged home a decorative tagine, I was keen to return to the 'Home of the Tagine' in Balmain.

Kazbah is a bright, happy place and attracts a boisterous crowd. The yellow walls create a warm atmosphere and the staff move around the floor serving each table with ease. This morning my breakfast buddy and I were on a mission - the breakfast tagine.

We arrived and discovered a queue out the door onto the footpath. Fortunately my breakfast buddy had booked a table so we breezed past the queue to our table. Within moments we were served water and a large glass jug filled with mint. There were already menus on the table however we knew what we wanted.

After ordered we were delivered two fabulously different plates - one red and one blue - and a Middle Eastern tile where the tagine would be placed. The anticipation was immense as we watched food being delivered to the tables around us.

The tagine arrived and the lid was lifted off to reveal a bubbling, steamy concoction of lamb mince, sucuk, feta, spinach, capsicum, caramelised onion, tomato and eggs. A side of turkish and pida bread arrived separately. Where to start?

The breakfast tagine was seriously good and spicy. We enjoyed every mouthful and struggled to finish it off. For $17.50 this is good value and the coffee is sensational - we had to order a second round.

Kazbah - 379 Darling Street, Balmain - (02) 9555 7067

http://www.kazbah.com.au/