Sailors Thai Canteen (Sydney)

Seeking a quick meal before the movies in The Rocks area, we went past the typical tourist cafes and fast food outlets to dine at the Sailors Thai Canteen. We sat at the corner of balcony with a tiny glimpse at the Opera House rather than the communal table – a nice little private spot.

The menu was simpler than what its sister restaurants offer. The level of spiciness of the special flounder dish was spot on (with generous Thai eggplant which I loved). The flesh was delicate which contrast well with the crispy, deep fried bones.

Details:
Sailors Thai Canteen
'Downstairs'
106 George St 
The Rocks NSW 2000
http://www.sailorsthai.com.au/canteen.html


For lunch last year at Sailors Thai Ivy please go to http://bitesizereview.blogspot.com/2010/10/sailors-thai-ivy-lets-do-lunch.html

The Sydney Mint Cafe (Sydney)

A long Friday lunch is often the best way to end a busy working week. The Sydney Mint Café gave us a secluded lunch spot among the financial district. The dining room was quiet and we almost had it all by ourselves in the first hour.

The menu was short and simple but the food was delicious. The orecchiette worked well with the raw tuna and Mediterranean flavours. While the salad lyonnaise, accompanied by the soft poached egg, made a perfect brunch dish.

We stayed behind for dessert and cheese as well. Long relaxing lunch indeed.

Details:
The Sydney Mint Cafe
10 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.aihgroup.com.au/the_mint/cafe

Manly Phoenix (Sydney)

This is only my second yum cha lunch at the Manly Phoenix restaurant despite being a regular at its Rhodes franchise. The Manly restaurant has the advantage of the magnificent view from the Manly wharf and the lack of queues. You don’t need to wait for up to an hour as Rhodes – because there is a time limit of an hour for lunch.

The variety of food was limited due to the size of the restaurant. The stables remain: prawn dumpling, spring rolls, even the mango pancakes. But the high quality is maintained.

The Sunday surcharge was a huge detractor.

(The view saves it from being 1 star)

Details:
Manly Phoenix Restaurant
East Esplanade
22-23 Manly Wharf 
Manly NSW 2095
http://www.phoenixrestaurants.com.au

Cafe Ish (Sydney)

A tiny café with fewer than 20 seats, Café Ish combines the modern Japanese cuisine with a casual mainstream Australian café setting and service. The menu, with a decent amount of grammatical mistakes, provides diners with a creative twist to the usual café fare. French fries with wasabi mayonnaise and raw cabbage with miso dip certainly gave an interesting start to the meal.

Onto the reputed soft shell crab karaage omelette, the deep fried crustacean compliments well with the mushy avocado; and the layer of egg outside lightly touched by sweet chilli sauce. Note: the creativity will cost you more.

Details:
Cafe Ish
Shop 1, 82 Campbell St 
Surry Hills NSW 2010
http://www.cafeish.com.au/