Olio (St Leonards)

The family has chosen to dine at Olio on a few occasions due to its central location. Here we were again for a quick dinner.

The menu seems to blend various flavours and dishes across the Mediterranean. The mezze plate gave us a good start of the meal with its mix of tastes from the region. However, the trout pasta dish was a bit underwhelming – more trout may help perhaps?

Details:
Olio
Shop 1, 'The Forum'
St Leonards Station
Sydney 2065
http://www.olio.com.au

Guillaume at Bennelong (Sydney)

For my birthday, the wife took me to Guillaume at Bennelong inside the Sydney Opera House. Given its pending closure end of year, we would make it our ‘farewell’ visit.

The service was immaculate from the start and the food certainly matched its 3-hat status. The squid ‘pasta’ entrée with sea urchin sauce was intense with seafood flavor. The signature mulloway rouille dish was superb, but the very tender lamb was even better. And you wouldn’t go wrong with the chocolate soufflé or nougat glace for desserts.

Looking forward to its re-opening at another venue!

Details:
Guillaume at Bennelong
Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
http://guillaumeatbennelong.com.au/

Your Place Dining (North Sydney)

Catching up with friends on a Friday night, we decided to stay local and went to Your Place Dining. The restaurant operates as a café during the day and a fine dining Thai restaurant at night.

We always judge our Thai restaurant by the duck red curry. This particular one did not disappoint offering a generous portion of duck with nice, thick gravy. Do try the salmon soufflé for entrée which gives an interesting texture for a fish dish – I liken it to an hybrid of fish ball and marshmallow.

Details:
Your Place Dining
182 Blues Point Rd
Corner Blues Point Road and Victoria Street
McMahons Point
http://yourplacedining.com.au

Balla (Sydney)

We walked around Darling Harbour and decided to have an early dinner at The Star casino complex. After comparing menus, we settled on Balla for their pre-theatre menu (even we were not watching a show).

The pre-theatre menu was good value with 3 courses for just $55. The vegetable soup with black truffle was simple and fragrant. And the cheese crepe and pasta main courses were satisfying.

Details:
Balla
Level G, Harbourside
The Star
80 Pyrmont Street 
Pyrmont
http://www.star.com.au/sydney-restaurants/signature-fine-dining/Pages/balla.aspx

Cafe Sopra (Sydney)

We had a quick dinner catch up with friends after work at Café Sopra. Despite being a Tuesday night, the dining room was packed with a queue at the door – so be ready for wait unless you go early.

There was a great array of pizza and pasta dishes. The quattro formaggi pizza that we shared was excellent. I really enjoyed the generous meat ball pasta dishes, while the osso buco was not as rich and flavourful as I wished.

Details:
Café Sopra at Fratelli Fresh
11 Bridge Street
Sydney
http://www.fratellifresh.com.au/