Sydney

Berowra Waters Inn

Posted by D on 29 June, 2011 in French, Italian, Seafood, Sydney | 2 comments

A trip to Berowra Waters Inn is a journey, you might even call it a pilgrimage almost. It takes commitment and planning. Located along the Hawkesbury River, it’s a one hour drive north of Sydney leaving the confines of suburbia. Even when you get there, the journey is not quite over. The only way to get to the front door of this place is by boat, or if you have the cash to burn, by seaplane. And if its location doesn’t say ‘exclusive’ enough, to top it off, it’s only open for lunch on Friday-Saturday, and dinner for Friday and Saturday.

Arisun / Sun’s Chicken Beer House

Posted by D on 6 June, 2011 in Chinese, Korean, Sydney | 9 comments

The other day we had KFC. However, not the kind you get from a fast food chain heralding it’s finger-licking goodness with a mascot consisting of a two dimensional line drawing of a certain colonel. What we’re talking about here is a double-fried version of a Korean origin – a.k.a Korean Fried Chicken.

With a bit of recommendation scouting about where we could satisfy our deep-fried food cravings courtesy of our Korean friends, we settle on Arisun – a Korean restaurant/beer garden located in Chinatown. Years ago, this location on one end of Dixon Street was barren, empty and put

District Dining

Posted by D on 23 May, 2011 in Australian, Contemporary, Sydney | 11 comments

Another brainchild of Warren Turnbull of Assiette fame, District Dining has brought fine dining quality at a price for the masses. Gone are the crisp ironed white table clothes, the fine china and the silverware changed at each course – instead District Dining has a warm wooden interior with marble top tables and large blackboards advertising the daily specials which all add to the contemporary tone.

When we enter dining room on a busy Saturday night, the place is buzzing. Conversations are flying everywhere and we strain our heads over the crowd to find our dining companions. One thing I’m struck by

Toko Restaurant & Bar – Surry Hills

Posted by D on 22 April, 2010 in Japanese, Sydney | 4 comments

Phew, it’s been a majorly busy few weeks for me with work, weddings, Easter, family, friends, birthdays…well life in general really (aagh!). Basically this meant I was left with the good old dilemma of ‘too much to do, too little time to do it all in’. If only I could have a couple extra hours every day to cram in everything!

Regardless, somehow, I managed to squeeze in a catch-up with our good friends Justin and Christina at Toko in Surry Hills. The vibe of Toko pure trendy. It’s definitely a place where you get the feeling that this is where the beautiful people go to be seen.

Pier Restaurant

Posted by D on 20 March, 2010 in Australian, Contemporary, Sydney | 13 comments

Ask me what my favourite seafood restaurant with fine dining in Sydney is and my answer would definitely be Pier Restaurant at Rose Bay. I first visited here as a poverty stricken university student when a single meal here could have easily paid for over a week’s worth of university cafeteria sandwiches. Many years on, I still remember the meal I had there. So when a high school friend announced a quick visit to Sydney and Pier pipped as the place for our catch up, I didn’t have a moment’s hesitation in saying yes at the chance to re-visit.

Sake Restaurant

Posted by D on 26 January, 2010 in Contemporary, Japanese, Sydney | 10 comments

I’ve always had a rule that I generally stick by and rarely break – never order food from a joint where the chef isn’t from the same background as the cuisine. Not to be discriminatory in any way, the simple fact is that I like my food authentic as I can get. Also, call it a quirk of mine, but my mind simply refuses to comprehend the disassociation.

There are however a handful of chefs that beg to differ. Sake Restaurant at the Rocks as can be expected by the name serves contemporary Japanese food and but the executive chef is not Japanese, but a gaijin by the name of Shaun Presland (previously of Sushi E and Establishment