Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Sydney restaurants

Since no one reads the Sydney forum in this section... http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/wink.gif

Any suggestions for good places to try in 2003.

Any old favorites worth avoiding now?

A great lunch can be had here


SFM (http://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/editLevel2.asp?sectionID=5&sectionName=ABOUT+SFM)


[This message has been edited by transpac (edited 08-18-2003).]

Thanks!

Anyone else?

Check the Australia forum.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by terenz:
Check the Australia forum.</font>

No one posts there or lately in the Sydney forum.

I highly recommend this place.

http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/Forum48/HTML/000004.html

Thx... Good suggestion!

Anybody got anything else in the CBD, Chinatown or elsewhere close into CBD.

[This message has been edited by NickP 1K (edited 08-22-2003).]

I enjoyed numerous meals at Banc, in St. Martin's Place. The menu is creative, and the space is utterly impressive. The wine list was well thought through and featured several boutique wines from Oz and New Zealand.

Similarly, I enjoyed a "Thanksgiving" dinner a couple of years ago at MG Garage in Surry Hills. The degustation menu was quite lovely, and the chef came out to talk to me for some time, since I was dining alone. After that, small tastes of all sorts of dishes made their way to my table. The wine steward here also was quite knowledgeable, and dug out a couple of lovely drops not on the list.

Finally, I have to recommend bill's for breakfast, and Fishface for takeaway seafood of all kinds. I could eat there daily.

Brian: Thanks... I did frequent Banc a few years ago when in Sydney for several weeks. Glad to hear it's still on the list of other people.

I enjoy the food -- and the water view -- at Bathers Pavilion.

Oh yes! I second Brian's recommendation of bill's in Surry Hills for breakfast. Worth going out of your way to eat there and enjoy the great people.

My favorite place for dinner is the Waterfront in the Rocks area. Great food (especially when Bugs are in season!) and the view is spectacular: outdoors right on the water with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge right there. Beautiful. Ah, Sydney, the best city in the world!

Well just found out that Banc has been closed for some time now...

Greetings all,
Here is the 777 YUM list
As mentioned here already Bills or Bills 2 for breakfast
Not to be missed are the legendary Ricotta pancakes with bananas & honeycomb butter.
The original has the communal tables and private tables.
Do not be afraid of the waits it is really worth it ! Strike up an interesting conversation or people watch.
It attracts a great interesting diverse crowd of singles families and artistic types.
While not as upscale as Bills 2 both establisments owned by the same owners speaks volumes of a world class dining city and its brilliant people/talent.
You haven't done a real breakfast in your life till you've done one at Bills.
A Sydney Icon

For nice business lunch or dinner with a good looking crowd and fair prices don't miss the consistent ever loved Bambini Trust
Italian/ Med
just doors down from the Sheraton on the Park hotel.
If it is lunch you are after get a reservation.
If its dinner its easily more relaxed at night.
I usually get in with no reservation at lunch
Owners Michael and Angela have been great hosts to this wonderful little sophisticated bistro that serves simple well executed food at fair going market prices.
Have always left satisfied and well fed. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif

For a great bakery snack of coffee and cake take away/out don't miss one of the best bakeries in the world let alone in Sydney. Infinity Sourdough Bakery next to a fire house on Victoria Street.
The Finacier almond cake has no peers in the world and is better then most S*x http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif
The bread is superb here too.
Anything they do here is exceptional.
That can't be said in most places I travel to and sample worldwide.Compares or beats out some of the best in Europe
The owner has his own restaraunt in the Blue Mountains and perhaps I will do the drive on my next visit to dine there.
Find your taste at this bakery you are looking for and by all means go for it.
I give them my personal lifetime achievement yum award

If you feel like traveling to by taxi to see Balmoral Beach don't miss a visit to the very admired Bathers Pavillion Cafe or the more formal Bathers Pavillion all in one facility with killer water front views.
The hot baked apple tart for dessert with Ice Cream will leave you http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif
The wonderful group of servers will make you feel welcome and invited to the party.

The hot spot of where to eat and be seen and struggle for a reservation is "Icebergs"
Located in Bondi Beach.
For those that aren't or in need of being a part of the scene my suggestion is to try a visit to dinner at the earthy Seans Panorama.
This menu and non view restaraunt is located at the end of Bondi just around a corner.
While I have not tried it yet I have a feeling it spells winner if it is great food you are after. Word of mouth has always been strong.
Made the mistake of going for lunch in which they are and were closed http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/frown.gif
The menu read very well.
Looks like a cash only joint.

One other dining tip and one of the most poular places in the city Longrain. Has a great reputation. No one I have ever traveled with was willing to brave the wait with me http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/frown.gif
The word amongst the public and the food writers says winner !
They must be doing something right with those scary lines!
Speaking of scary lines The last time I was in Billy Kwongs 2001 it was so noisy you couldn't think and cramped with no place to move left or right.
We sat on what had to be the most uncomfortable chairs I have ever sat on.
Shy of that it was a good time and my guests enjoyed the food far more then myself.
Rumors had it they were to expand it/improve it..........

Thats it for now my fellow FT foodies
Cheers & Happy Yum travel trails


------------------
AA & Starwood,Marriott Platinum
Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
Swissotel Club Gold
U/A 1k



[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited Nov 29, 2003).]

777 global mile hound; Good info

Another one I tried was Tetsuya... Mod Japanese/Australian tasting menu. Quite nice. Reservations are sometimes an issue.

Another Bondi tip would be Ravesi's located in a hotel. We walked by it 3 times http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif
great outdoor deck with friendly servers and
highly satisfactory food.
My guests flipped over the fish and chips.Crisp and greaseless
Would have to agree it is certainly up there.
Quality desserts with superior presentation add to a fine finish.

Just doors down from here is a little seafood shop with stunning stacks of beautifuly fresh seafood piled high in the window.
Here is another true treasure in Sydney and an extrodinary bang for the buck.
Stunning large/jumbo prawns (shrimps) deep fried to a golden brown with an order of chips.
Perhaps the finast Jumbo Prawns in the world or that I have yet to sample.
Stick with this and you will not go wrong other items here at this take away joint were a let down and were not as well prepared IMO as their legendary fried prawns.
Cheers all 777 global mile hound


------------------
AA & Starwood,Marriott Platinum
Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
Swissotel Club Gold
U/A 1k

[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited Nov 29, 2003).]

Bump; anyone want to add any new finds or old treasures?

La Grillade
Sushi-E
Flying Fish
Prime
Kingsley's
The Establishment
Opera Bar
Hugo's Lounge
Mansions
Gazebo Wine Bar
The Bourbon
Sapphire Suite
World Bar
The Lord Nelson
The Orient
Aria
Wildfire @ Circular Quay
Doyle's
Harbour Kitchen @ The Hyatt
The Quay @ The Rocks
Aqua Dining @ Milsons Point
Sails @ Lavender Bay
Museum of Contemporary Art Cafe
Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Wooloomooloo
Cafe Sydney @ The Customs House
Ravesi's
Oscillate Wildly
Tetsuya
1 Alfred Street
Coast @ Cockle Bay
Bambini Trust
Billy Kwongs
Longrain
Sean's Panorama @ Bondi Beach
Icebergs @ Bondi Beach
Bathers Pavillion & Cafe @ Balmoral Beach
Infinity Sourdough Bakery
Bill's
Bill's 2
Mohr
BBQ King
East Ocean
India Key
Sydney Fish Market

I ate at Quay last year while in Oz. The meal was excellent: http://www.quay.com.au/

Cheers. Mate! The view and the food look gorgeous. With the money we saved on that Death* sale, the Quay is a piece of cake ! Mahalo!

I was visiting back in March 05 and a friend who lives in Sydney said "I'm going to take you to a seafood restaurant that only locals know about "MOHR". Wow it was a small "mom&pop" style place that also serves "take away". The seafood was incredible and the freshest greens for salad and homemade desserts! Probably only seated 15-20 max, the waitress ran across the street to get some wine at the local Pub! Just the best!!
(202 devonshire steet, surry hills nsw 2010)

Cheers, mate, and mahalo for the local tip!

Doyle's
Harbour Kitchen @ The Hyatt
The Quay @ The Rocks
Aqua Dining @ Milsons Point
Sails @ Lavender Bay
Museum of Contemporary Art Cafe
Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Wooloomooloo
Cafe Sydney @ The Customs House
Ravesi's
Oscillate Wildly
Tetsuya
135 Bar & Grill on Macquerie
Bambini Trust
Billy Kwongs
Longrain
Sean's Panorama @ Bondi Beach
Icebergs @ Bondi Beach
Bathers Pavillion & Cafe @ Balmoral Beach
Infinity Sourdough Bakery
Bill's
Bill's 2
Sydney Fish Market
Chinatown
Lebanese food

Aloha, mates!

We're getting ready for our DeathStar/JunkStar/NotStar trip to SYD next month, and look forward to shouting a round of drinks to as many of you as we can!

Mr. & Mrs. kaukau

Wildfire @ Circular Quay
Aria

The Establishment
Opera Bar
Hugo's Lounge
Mansions
Gazebo Wine Bar
The Bourbon
Sapphire Suite
World Bar
The Lord Nelson
The Orient
Aria
Wildfire @ Circular Quay
Doyle's
Harbour Kitchen @ The Hyatt
The Quay @ The Rocks
Aqua Dining @ Milsons Point
Sails @ Lavender Bay
Museum of Contemporary Art Cafe
Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Wooloomooloo
Cafe Sydney @ The Customs House
Ravesi's
Oscillate Wildly
Tetsuya
135 Bar & Grill on Macquerie
Bambini Trust
Billy Kwongs
Longrain
Sean's Panorama @ Bondi Beach
Icebergs @ Bondi Beach
Bathers Pavillion & Cafe @ Balmoral Beach
Infinity Sourdough Bakery
Bill's
Bill's 2
Sydney Fish Market
Chinatown
Lebanese food

Thanks Leumas! Thanks bensyd!

Anybody dine at the "Meat And Wine Co." in Darling Harbor? Met some visitors from Sydney yesterday here in Lahaina who said they LOVE it!

Anybody dine at the "Meat And Wine Co." in Darling Harbor? Met some visitors from Sydney yesterday here in Lahaina who said they LOVE it!

I've been to the Meat and Wine Co several times, and have never been thrilled. It's part of a small South African steakhouse chain with three restaurants in Australia and a bunch in South Africa, Greece, Israel, Dubai, Mozambique, and Bahrain. The best steak in Sydney can allegedly be found at Prime underneath the Westin (though unaffiliated with it) in Martin Place.

My favorite in Sydney is sushi-e on the fourth floor of the establishment hotel on George street. Ask to be seated in Persi's section and order Omakase. He'll treat you right. I go once or twice a week.

Other favorites are flying fish in Pyrmont (great fish), Spice I Am in Surry Hills (darn spicy Thai food, but excellent), Phamish in Darlinghurst (get there early to order the Duck Pancakes...Bu luc lac fillet and snapper are great too), BBQ King in China Town (best peking duck around), and East Ocean in Chinatown (best real Chinese in Sydney). I'd also agree with previous posters that bills is great for breakfast.

In Bondi, iceburgs has a location that can't be beat, but the food isn't great and the service can be a bit surly at times. Some like Sean's Panoroma, but I had a horrible experience there that catapulted Sean's to the top of my most hated list. Sobo, a new entrant, is quite good, with good service and great views. Hurricane's is also one not to miss if you're a fan of ribs.

-m

I like the India Quay.. its pretty close to the Circular Quay
on the other side of the tracks. It could get crowded, but the food is
excellent and the portions are good.

...The best steak in Sydney can allegedly be found at Prime underneath the Westin (though unaffiliated with it) in Martin Place...Prime is very good, and quite different from US Prime beef (despite the name). Australian beef is leaner and grass-fed making for a mild but distinctive flavour -- much better than most US prime steaks but not quite as soft and buttery.

Prime is very good, and quite different from US Prime beef (despite the name). Australian beef is leaner and grass-fed making for a mild but distinctive flavour -- much better than most US prime steaks but not quite as soft and buttery.

Kingsley's at Woolloomooloo gets some praise too.
Here is a link to a few reviews:
Prime (http://www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney/prime.htm)
Kingsleys (http://www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney/kingsleys_steak_and_crab_house.htm)
La Grillade (http://www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney/la_grillade.htm) (Crows Nest - north shore)

Kingsley's at Woolloomooloo gets some praise too.
...Yeah, I forgot about Kingsley (ate there when staying at the W and it was sortof the hotel restaurant -- not really related to the hotel, but Kingsley and Otto's were both good but expensive and with major attitude; not a problem for me, as the concierge set it up so I was well treated, but these are both restaurants where you must be someone to eat there, and not just walk in off the street). They are both good restaurants but atypical of Sydney, and I prefer more local flavour when I can find it.

La Grillade
Sushi-E
Flying Fish
Ocean Room @ Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks
Prime
Kingsley's
The Establishment
Opera Bar
Hugo's Lounge
Mansions
Gazebo Wine Bar
The Bourbon
Sapphire Suite
World Bar
The Lord Nelson
The Orient
Aria
Wildfire @ Circular Quay
Doyle's
Harbour Kitchen @ The Hyatt
The Quay @ The Rocks
Aqua Dining @ Milsons Point
Sails @ Lavender Bay
Museum of Contemporary Art Cafe
Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Wooloomooloo
Cafe Sydney @ The Customs House
Ravesi's
Oscillate Wildly
Tetsuya
1 Alfred Street @ Circular Quay
Coast @ Cockle Bay
Bambini Trust
Billy Kwongs
Longrain
Sean's Panorama @ Bondi Beach
Icebergs @ Bondi Beach
Bathers Pavillion & Cafe @ Balmoral Beach
Infinity Sourdough Bakery
Bill's
Bill's 2
Mohr
BBQ King
East Ocean
India Key
Sydney Fish Market

merrickdb: Will you be in SYD March 16 - 21?

number_6: Thought of you as we sipped a Melville Pinot Noir (Lompoc, CA) from a Riedel Pinot Noir glass!

BiziBB: Did you get the book? If not, should be soon!

Cheers, everybody!

http://www.claudes.org/wcms3/

Claude's has been an icon for connoisseurs of food and wine for many years. Situated on Oxford Street, Woollahra in the heart of Sydney's gallery and antique district, it is acknowledged as one of Australia's finest restaurants.

Seating only 40 people in an elegant Federation terrace Claude's offers two dining rooms, each beautifully appointed to complement the finely crafted food and wine menus.

Downstairs, luminous walls adorned with Limoges porcelain bearing Napoleon's crest celebrate the formal french polish of the restaurant.

Upstairs a selection of delicate prints and drawings and an extensive library of books creates an atmosphere dedicated to a discreet and intimate dining experience and the sublime pleasures of taste.

Bennelong at the Opera House was very good a few years back, Rockpool also supposed to be good!

Enjoyed the duck at Coast, and the pate, carpaccio, and brie, along with a flight of 5 wines at 1 Alfred St.

And here's a neat article that combines dining out with the City Rail stops: http://www.cityrail.info/out_about_sydney/eating_city.jsp

Cheers!

We had the most amazing meal last week at Ocean Room in the Overseas Passenger Terminal near Circular Quay. The restaurant has an elegant ambiance and very, very fresh seafood. In fact, some of the fish are live when you order them.

The sashimi and oysters taste super-fresh -- I haven't had any this good outside Japan.

I had a whole crispy fried baby snapper that was one of the best things I've ever eaten.

Side dishes are ordered a la carte, for the table, and they are excellent. We had an asparagus risotto as one of our sides and I could happily have eaten a plate of that alone.

The Chocolate Tasting dessert was fantastic. I had low expections since desserts are usually low priority at a seafood restaurant. This was truly outstanding.

The Ocean Room is not cheap, but reasonably priced considering the quality. To give you an idea of what your money buys here, our meal was AUD$267.50 (about US$218). For cocktails, Mr. free101girl had a Bombay Sapphire & tonic; I had a Bellini. I started with tuna sashimi and he had a half-dozen Pacific oysters. We each had one of the higher-priced main dishes and we shared two sides and a bottle of Catalina Sauvignon Blanc '06. I had the chocolate dessert and a Frangelico. Mr. f (not usually a chocolate lover) actually ate and enjoyed some of my dessert and accompanied it with a glass of Penfolds Grandfather Port and later an espresso. So in short, we were quite piggy for that amount of money!

By the way, we also ate at Quay in the Passenger Terminal and found it indifferent. I had one great dish ("Ravioli of slow cooked partridge, chestnut cream, fresh milk curd, truffle butter, partridge consomme"). The other 3 courses just weren't very good at all. Mr. f wasn't particularly thrilled with any of his 4 courses, which were all different from mine.

The chef at Quay is doing some innovative-sounding stuff, and I'm all for that, but a lot of it just doesn't work. And it was quite a bit more expensive than the much better Ocean Room.

For a really fun experience and pretty decent Thai food at reasonable prices, try Sailors Thai Canteen in the Rocks. Everyone sits at a big communal table, which is a fun way to meet people.

Communal tables seem to be a trend in Sydney -- bills in Darlinghurst (recommended by FT'ers) has one too. We really enjoyed bills for breakfast, so thanks for the heads-up on that one!

I had one great dish ("Ravioli of slow cooked partridge, chestnut cream, fresh milk curd, truffle butter, partridge consomme").

My that sounds like the most convoluted dish. cream, milk curd and truffle butter, It must have been very heavy.

Prime below the Westin is great, good selection of Aussie wines and decent service. You can also charge to your room for Westin points too ...

"Icebergs Dining Room and Bar" at Bondi Beach - awesome view, fantastic Mediterranean food, and the steaks... The STEAKS!

"Tetsuya's", on Kent Street in the CBD, for a 12-course degustation with matching wines. If there is a heaven, Tetsuya Wakada cooks dinner there every night. Reservations are tricky, however, and you are advised to start calling exactly 4 weeks out from the date you want your booking, and to be insistent. (Amex holds a table for Platinum or Centurion cardholders until 2100 every night)

"Yoshii" on Harrington St, The Rocks, for innovate Japanese.

"Becasse" on Clarence St in the CBD, Modern French, and the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year for 2007. The food is rich and the wine-list encyclopaedic. A personal favorite.

"Marque" on Crown Street, Surry Hills, French, and a consistently excellent restaurant.

"Billy Kwong", next-door to 'Marque" (but unaffiliated), for modern Asian, no reservations so you may have to arrive early, or go across the road to one of the local Pubs and wait for them to call your cellphone and let you know your table is ready.

Also on Crown Street, "Prasit's Northside", a very casual place with some tables downstairs and an upstairs dining room that feels a little warmer, albeit still very casual. The Thai food here is brilliant, with the Chef apparently having once been on the staff of the Thai Royal Family. Once you have eaten here, neighborhood Thai will never be quite so good again.

I recommend that you get a copy of "The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide" for 2007.

I had lunch today at La Grillade (http://www.lagrillade.com.au/) in Crow's Nest. From Darling Harbour, at midday, it was less than AUD 20 by taxi and at most about a 20 minute ride.

La Grillade is a fine dining, white tablecloth level restaurant with service and prices to match. The atmosphere is very good for a business lunch and in the evening might be good for a business or social dinner. The challenge for me with a social dinner is that the tables are quite close together.

We started off with the Oyster Sampler which was quite good. The Soy, Mirin and Ginger Oysters are quite runny so needed to make sure that they went down without dribbling. :D I'm quite fond of fried oysters with Aioli so I'd likely take that next time.

A half bottle of Pinot went down very nicely. I can't recall the name and can't find a half bottom Pinot on their website so I can't give the pedigree. It was quite nice.

For the main I ordered the Black Angus Sirloin, medium rare, with mashed potatoes on the side. The steak was excellent. I think that I may prefer the steak I had at the Meat & Wine Company in Melbourne but that is probably based on the cut. I prefer a steak with a bit more fat throughout but they were out of the Scotch fillet. The potatoes were scrumptious as I expected in an establishment of this level.

I ended the meal with a double espresso which came in a thick glass cup. It had nice thick crema*. It was just perfect.

Lunch for two, with appetizers and mains, half a bottle of wine and two coffees came to A$186.

In short, this is a restaurant that I'll be using again for business meals.

I have to imagine the fish/seafood at the restaurants/market in the Sydney Fish Market have to be fresh !

Sydney Fish Market
Pyrmont Bridge Rd
Pyrmont, NSW 2009
(02) 9004 1100

--

I have to imagine the fish/seafood at the restaurants/market in the Sydney Fish Market have to be fresh !

Sydney Fish Market
Pyrmont Bridge Rd
Pyrmont, NSW 2009
(02) 9004 1100

--

You imagine correctly. That's where we ate our "bugs"!

And shared lobster mornay. Great selection of cooked dishes there, as well as live and raw. Not to be missed!

I have to imagine the fish/seafood at the restaurants/market in the Sydney Fish Market have to be fresh !

Sydney Fish Market
Pyrmont Bridge Rd
Pyrmont, NSW 2009
(02) 9004 1100

--

Get your nocturnal dose of seafood, as the Markets aren't closing until 5PM Christmas eve!

Sydney Fish Market Retailers will be trading extended hours in the lead up to Christmas again this year.

Our traditional 36 hour trade (http://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/editLevel3.asp?subsectionID=52&SectionID=8&SectionName=RETAILERS&SubSectionTitle=SFM+RETAILERS)will commence at 5am on Sunday, 23rd of December and go right through the night until 5pm Christmas Eve



Chinese seafood...mmmm!
FISHERMAN'S WHARF SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

Located at the rear of the arcade upstairs, the beautiful brand new restaurant features the most spectacular fish tank and will be serving yummy Yum Cha and 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 OF THE YEAR!

T: 9660 9888

MENUS (http://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/sfm/uploadedFiles/docs/Menu.pdf)


TENANT CONTACT DETAILS & HOURS (http://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/editLevel3.asp?subsectionID=52&SectionID=8&SectionName=RETAILERS&SubSectionTitle=SFM+RETAILERS)

I have to imagine the fish/seafood at the restaurants/market in the Sydney Fish Market have to be fresh
If your experience is anything like mine was, the answer is a resounding YES!! I ate at a spot with a few outdoor tables and a dozen Greek guys playing cards/eating who had just gotten off work at the SFM.
Figured it had to be good if they were there.
Had a sampler for one that included oysters mornay, scallops, grilled octopus, fish and skewered shrimp. With a soda, the whole thing cost about 15$.

Best, Dave