15 west 56th street
new york, 10019
www.momofuku.com

Even with some high expectations, my first momofuku experience was super exciting. I just wished I wasn’t dining alone with so many delicious sounding menu items!

loved

The Brussels sprouts! seemed like they had been deep fried with the wonderfully crunchy texture. The sweet cranberries and chilli-Asian dressing completed this winning ensemble
Friendly engaging staff
The menu – so many great sounding items without being overwhelming
The ribs! I’m a massive rib fan but these were some of the best I’ve tasted. Ever. Although the caramel was more sweet than lemongrass.
The industrial design of the loos.

didn’t love

Only ordering for one person. Like most good Asian the more people, the mire things you get to try.

And I wasn’t too keen on the peach coloured walls.. I know it’s called ma peche but… more a personal thing than a complaint

ate

pork ribs with thai basil and lemongrass caramel
brussels sprouts with cranberry, scallion & chilli vinigarette

drank

sparkling water which came in a carafe

value

Reasonable.

reservations

Yes! book online – I just booked the day before.

perfect for

whenever you’re hungry
The $25 lunch special looks like great value

358 Cleveland St
Surry Hills, SYDNEY
www.porteno.com.au

The first time I dined at Porteno, the latest venture from the crew at Bodega I made three rookie mistakes. (1) Not getting there until 7pm so having to wait in the bar upstairs for our table. (2) Sharing and finishing a bottle of sparkling wine in the bar between before dinner. (3) Over ordering the food. And still we had a fabulous evening.

Second time I was more prepared and booked a table for 10 friends which meant we could try a little bit of everything and not be overwhelmed. So much fun!

loved

Everything!
The morcilla & chorizo are divine but the grilled pork is some of the best pig ever and the beef ribs are buttery heaven.
The brussels sprouts with lentils – two of my favourite things together at last! (pictured below)
The decor (see the sink from the ladies loo below)
The tuna – grilled to pink-centred perfection
The wine list – a super tempting collection of mostly South American treasures.
The engaging service

didn’t love

The desserts weren’t that exciting but this wasn’t a problem for me.

ate

The Set Menu
Marinated Olives
Spiced Eggplant
Empanadas
BBQ Calamari with Pickled Green Tomato & Chilli
Grilled Tuna with Asparagus and Charred Jalopeño & Garlic Dressing
Chorizo Porteno
Blood Sausage with Red Peppers in Garlic
Grilled beef ribs with chimmicurri sauce
Suckling pig
Roasted Beetroot, Witlof, Blood Orange, Radish and Walnut Salad
Crispy Fried Brussel Sprouts with Lentils and Mint
Burnt Milk Custard with Cumquat Jam & Chocolate Ice Cream
South American Style Pavlova

drank

A really lovely Argentinian Cab Franc – unusually good

value

Great for the food but we overdid it a little on the vino

reservations

only taken for groups of 5-12
if you’re less it’s fun waiting in the bar upstairs

perfect for

a fabulous celebrational meat fest!

238 Crown St
Darlinghurst, SYDNEY
www.jazzcitydiner.com

When you’re drinking in a wine bar in Sydney and ask the staff where you should go for dinner with the guideline that you want something ‘interesting’, probably the last place you’d expect to be directed to is a diner. And it was such an unusual idea that we decided to give it a go.

We weren’t disappointed. The newly opened Jazz City Diner is a little gem in Darlinghurst. With seriously great food and highly themed decor, it’s a fun place that delivers on the food. Just the thing for when you feel like a good old burger or for trying something new.

loved

the burgers – like they say on the menu, it’s cool to be square
the engaging service – ready for a chat and a laugh – it’s definitely a fun dining experience
the fried green tomato salad – ever since the book ‘fried green tomatoes at the whistle stop cafe’ all those years ago I’ve been wanting to try said tomatoes. And I wasn’t disappointed.
the idea of the sliders (mini burgers) – definitely one to try next visit.
the modern flavours and textures hidden behind the old school sounding menu
the ribs! I never thought there’d be a day when I loved something braised in cocoa-cola. but that day has come.
the pies. Apparently the banana cream pie is the favourite of the staff, but I’m backing the chocolate pecan. So good.

didn’t love

This is a personal one but some of the presentation, while lovely, was getting a bit too fancy for me. Although to be fair, the burger presentation was spot on. And I did appreciate that it shows the chef cares about presentation.

ate

Fried green tomato salad
Double cheeseburger with sweet potato fries & buttermilk onion rings
Blackened snapper
Oven roasted pork belly
Cocoa cola braised beef short ribs
Banana cream pie
Chocolate pecan pie

drank

BYO red wine – their liquor license is on it’s way

value

brilliant

reservations

We just walked in. Best to give them a call.

perfect for

A classic, fun, modern diner experience without the price tag of a flight to the US.

249 Riley Street
Surry Hills 2010
(02) 9281 2880

I love been in Sydney around New Years. Everything is quieter, less traffic and much easier parking. But the downside can be that your favourite eating establishments are often closed for well deserved holidays of their own.

But as I discovered last week, this too can have some unexpected pleasant side effects. Like discovering a really funky new cafe by just driving past and seeing people eating outside.

loved

the cheesy baked beans on toast with perfect poached eggs
the funky, airy decor
the cute collection of robots and cycling paraphenalia
the cool wooden tables (see picture below)
the enthusiastic, friendly service
that they roast their own coffee

didn’t love

coffee was a little too bitter for my tastes, but I am sensitive to that

ate

cheesy baked beans on toast with perfect poached eggs
green side salad
the robocog big breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms & roasted tomato

drank

long black with cream
english breakfast tea

value

fair

reservations

NA

perfect for

a weekend brunch for 2

282 Bronte Rd
Charing cross, SYDNEY
www.bronteroadbistro.com

It’s not often I go out for dinner and everyone orders the same thing. But I still vividly remember my first visit to Bronte Rd Bistro. There had been lots of talk about their classic steak frites, maybe too much talk. No one wanted to miss out so everyone at our table of four got the steak. And we all went home very happy. There’s something to be said for a restaurant that plays to its strengths.

loved

the casual, semi outdoor vibe
the steak frites – everything a good bistro steak should be
the salad – a slightly more interesting twist on the classic rocket & pear salad

didn’t love

the presentation of the kingfish was a little unappealing – but it tasted delicious – so I shouldn’t be so picky

ate

steak frites, cafe de paris butter
seared kingfish, spinach, smoked bacon & potato dressing
rocket & nashi pear salad with garlic & pepper goats cheese

drank

Riesling

value

reasonable

reservations

not required – but possibly a good idea in the evenings

perfect for

a long overdue friday lunch catchup with a dear friend and new mum

248 Palmer Street
Darlinghurst, SYDNEY
no website yet

I can see why Terry Durack and the crew at the SMH may think that Lucios is the best pizza in Sydney. But I guess they’re not minimalists like me.

Sure the crust is everything that the Neopolitan pizza police could wish for, but the toppings are just too, well, over the top. I went to Lucios with an open mind, I promise, but for me Marios is still numero uno. That being said, I’d happily chow down on Lucios any night of the week.

loved

it’s all about the dough – pizza perfection
the charming authentic greek waiter
having a laugh with said waiter
the lucio half calzone half margherita
the campagnola – gotta love mushrooms on pizza

didn’t love

over the top smoked cheese on many of the pizzas
the dried out sausage used on a few of the pizzas

ate

stracchino
rustica
fume
campagnola
lucios
rocket salad
mixed gelato

drank

chianti

value

great

reservations

not required

perfect for

an impromptu dinner with 10 wonderful mates after drinks to launch your new virtual cookery school

_________________________________________________________________

180 Oxford St
Paddington, SYDNEY
no website

It may not be the best pizza in Sydney, but if you’re into your pizza Love Supreme is well worth checking out. The bases are crisp and model-thin and the toppings are a bit on the complicated side, but the ingredients are first class and the vibe is casual, cosy and buzzy. What’s not to love about that.

loved

the love supreme – you’ve got to love a pizza that comes with a burst of gremolata freshness
the papa – if you’re going to have proscuitto on your pizza, why not go rolls royce with delectable san daniele
the location – close to the cinema – makes for a great casual night out

didn’t love

the piles of pizza boxes as you walk in – it could be a bit art-installation, but unfortunately it comes across as just cluttered
the hefty $10 corkage charge per bottle – it’s been a while since my last visit and I’m sure it wasn’t anywhere near that.

ate

love supreme – artichoke heart, buffalo mozzarella, anchovies, gremolata
papa – san daniele proscuitto, tomato, parmesan
mixed leaf salad
pineapple carpaccio, marinated in moscato, cinnamon gelato

drank

BYO red

value

excellent except for the corkage – next time don’t think we’ll BYO

reservations

not required

perfect for

tuesday night pizza with the one you love after seeing an hilarious NZ indie film

a’Albora Marinas
The Spit
Mosman, SYDNEY
www.ormeggio.com.au

Considering the abundance of water frontage in the harbour city, I sometimes feel like it can be tricky to find a good restaurant with water views in Sydney. So when I heard that Ormeggio was opening at The Spit, I immediately added it to me restaurants-to-try list. And it doesn’t disappoint with tranquil water views and first class regional Italian food, it’s definitely a must-do Sydney lunch venue.

loved

the views & real marina / boaty, vibe
the food – Italian with a difference
the sardines – little parcels of goodness
the beef ribs – off the bone and meltingly tender
the charming service

didn’t love

that I can’t afford any of the boats on display

ate

sardines pan-fried, wrapped in prosciutto, pine nuts, sultanas, marsala reduction
swordfish slow cooked in olive, potato purée, crispy capers
beef short ribs, port braised red cabbage
mixed leaf salad
pineapple carpaccio, marinated in moscato, cinnamon gelato

drank

pizzini sauvignon blanc
pizzini shiraz
sparkling water

value

great for the lunch special $45 for 2 courses including a glass of wine

reservations

recommended

perfect for

a long leisurely mid-week lunch with a dear old friend

cnr Broughton & Blackall Sts
Barton, Canberra
www.ottomancuisine.com.au

It’s not often that my Dad has a restaurant suggestion. So when he mentioned that he’d heard good things about Ottoman, I jumped at the chance. For years I’ve been meaning to try the Canberran original but for one reason or another had never made it.

I’m now just wishing I hadn’t waited so long. I’m a big fan of Turkish food. I once spent five wonderful weeks eating my way around the home of the Turks. So eating at Ottoman felt a little like stepping back to that time. All the wonderful fragrance and gentle spicing was there. A treat for the senses. Now I just need to organise a visit to their Sydney outpost.

loved

the authentic modern Turkish cuisine
the dolma – wonderfully spiced rice stuffing vine leaves
the eggplant stuffed with minced lamb, raisins and wonderful spices
the pide – you can’t beat good bread
the blood orange sorbet – refreshing and just the thing for finishing a lovely meal.
the light-filled dining room
the sound of the fountain outside as we ate – very Moorish
the obliging service – very accommodating of all my Dad’s allergies

didn’t love

parts of the decor are looking a little dated

ate

mantar
zetinyali dolma
balik tarator
kerniyarik
pide bread
blood orange sorbet
strawberry sorbet

drank

leo buring riesling
sparkling water

value

OK

reservations

taken but not necessary for lunch

perfect for

a white tablecloth meal in the ACT

Shop 15, 425 Bourke Street
Surry Hills, SYDNEY
www.thebattery.com.au

I grew up in the country and even though refrigeration had been invented, we just didn’t have access to decent fish. For me fish & chips was one of the most wonderful, exotic of foods. Every time we went on a trip to the big smoke, I couldn’t wait until we had lunch at the cafe and my order would always be the same. Fish and chips. So good.

These days fish and chips still holds a special place in my heart. But I find a really good example is few and far between. For a long long time the fish & chips at Fishface in Darlinghurst has had my vote for best in Sydney. But I’m pleased to announce that there is now another contender.

Although upon further reflection, I’d have to say that the fish at Fishface is still champion, but The Battery wins when it comes to the chips. At least now we have a choice.

loved

the intense, unmistakable aroma of battered fish frying as you walk in the door
the retro potato scallops, something I hadn’t had since high school – before I knew fresh scallops existed
the chips – even get my Irishman’s stamp of approval
the simple menu
the fish
the choice of sauces with each fish
the vibe – buzzy but not too noisy
chatty service
the muslin covered lemon halves
the old school iceberg lettuce salad

didn’t love

wine by the glass not poured at the table
being sold out of the whole flounder before I got my order in (excellent reason to return!)

ate

potato scallops
fish & chips with aioli
pan fried barramundi with romesco sauce
iceberg salad with goats cheese dressing

drank

soave
beer
riesling

value

pretty good for the quality

reservations

not required

perfect for

a friday night celebration of being in the city you love with the one you love

_________________________________________________________________