Azuma Cafe (Sydney)

I am recently introduced to the idea of having chiffon cake for an evening snack, over the usual ice-cream and chocolate fondant. Azuma Café, hidden within Sydney’s cinema area, provides a good deal of chiffon cake and hot beverage for under $9.

You will have a large choice of chiffon cakes to choose from, all with its own unique twist: original, black sesame, green tea, earl grey, cinnamon… The cakes are plain and light, without any added cream and decorations, accentuating its special twist. Go for the matcha (green tea) latte to further the added Asian twist.

Details:
Azume Café and Patisserie
Ground Floor Regent Place Shopping Centre
501 Greorge Street
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.azuma.com.au/cafe/home.php

Bathers' Pavilion cafe (Sydney)

I often spend Friday nights away from the buzzing bar scene and settle on a quiet meal. Heading to Balmoral for a meal at Bathers Pavilion is always my first choice. As soon as you left the traffic from the lower north shore, the café and restaurant are within your sight next to the beach.

The food at the café is simple and tasty. The risotto was generous with seafood. Dessert with crème brûlée, caramelised peach and macaroon had all my favourites. The best thing of the meal was the sound of the waves accompanied by the beach under lights.

We'll do a review at the restaurant one day :)


Details:
Bathers' Pavilion
4 The Esplanade
Balmoral Beach NSW 2088
http://www.batherspavilion.com.au/

La Mint Restaurant (Sydney)

I always thought a workday lunch at Darlinghurst is too much of a stretch given the distance. In fact, it is just a stroll across Hyde Park as close as other restaurants in CBD. The group went to La Mint, a Vietnamese-French restaurant, which is not your typical fusion restaurant.

The menu fully reflects the French influence in Vietnamese cuisine. I had the signature Pavé de Porc. The slow cook pork belly was tender and gelatinous, complimented by the well balanced sweet sauce. Make sure you have plenty of steamed rice to absorb the sauce.

Details:
La Mint Restaurant
62-64 Riley Street
EAST SYDNEY NSW 2010
http://www.lamint.com.au/index.html

Sakana-Ya (Sydney)

Sakana-Ya has provided consistent and authentic Japanese fare to the residents of Sydney’s lower north shore for many years. The crowded restaurant with Japanese diners confirms its popularity.

The menu is updated daily with the catches of the day – so freshness is guaranteed. The sashimi is highly recommended. From our meal we also recommended the bara-sushi. The mixed rice dish contains equal amount of sushi rice and chopped raw fish. With a bit of soy sauce, the freshness of raw fish jumps out from every bite.

Details:
Sakana-Ya
336 Pacific Highway 
Crows Nest NSW 2065

Hurricane's Grill & Bar (Top Ryde)

I never had any luck in securing a booking at the Hurricane’s at Darling Harbour or Bondi. So it was third time lucky when I finally got in at its newly open restaurant at Top Ryde.

Living up to its reputation, the ribs were top notch. My full rack of lamb ribs were tender with the right amount of fat, complimented well with the basting sauce. The reminiscence of the sauce and fat was with me for the rest of the evening.

Service was very quick and error free – essential given they want our table back within 90 minutes.

No photos were taken due to sticky fingers

Details:
Hurricane's Grill & Bar Top Ryde
Top Ryde City Shoppping Centre, 
Shop R 3006 Ground Level 
Cnr of Blaxland Rd and Devlin Street, Sydney, Australia
http://hurricanesgrill.com.au/

Yukis At The Quay (Sydney)

I called up Yukis at the top of the Overseas Passenger Terminal in the morning for dinner in front of the Opera House, just to split a stressful work week – was definitely a surprise to get in.

The food did not disappoint. The ‘summer’ set menu consists of 5 innovative and stimulating entrees (like the tempura unagi below). Main course was generous (sushi was very fresh) and the crème brulee dessert rounded out the meal well.

If you split the $90pp charge to $60 food and $30 view, the near empty dining room did not do the restaurant justice!

 

Details:

Yukis At The Quay
Level 4, Overseas Passenger Terminal
Circular Quay NSW 2000
http://www.yukis.com.au