Via Alta (Willoughby Sydney)

To welcome 2015, we dined at Via Alta which is another venture of Alexandro Pavoni.

I really enjoyed all the dishes. Our starters of anti-pasti involved the melt-in-your-mouth veal tongue and creamy burrata cheese. My main course was the Bresciano spit roast was so good, there was not a drop of polenta left. The tiramisu dessert was just right for me (I dislike those that are too sweet).

Details:
Via Alta
197 High Street
North Willoughby
http://www.viaalta.com.au/

Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)

We have made Osteria Francescana the main dining event of our honeymoon trip. We chose to stay at Bologna, which is a 45 minute train trip from the restaurant’s town of Modena.

The classic menu offers a twist to all the regional cuisine and ingredients. Every dish was a highlight but my favourites would be the “5 ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in different temperatures and textures” (self-explanatory), “all the tongues in the world” (very tender veal tongue with exciting choice of sauces), and “foie gras crunch with Traditional Balsamic Vinegar” (best pre-dessert I have had).

World #3 ranking well deserved.

1. Tempura with carpione
2. An eel swimming up the Po River
3. Caesar salad in Emilia
4. Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in different temperatures and textures
5. Cotechino 365 days a year
6. Snails under the earth
7. All the tongues of the world
8. Foie gras crunch with Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena
9. A potato waiting to become a truffle


Details:
Osteria Francescana
Via Stella 22
Modena, Italy
http://www.osteriafrancescana.it/

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

Crave Sydney Itali-Anna Dessert Degustation at Bather's Pavilion

We rushed to Bather’s Pavilion after work for the one-off Crave Sydney dessert degustation dinner. Bather’s is one of my favourite places to eat and this meal was a special treat. I enjoyed all the starters especially the vanilla panna cotta with little mango caviar giving the sudden burst of sweetness. The ‘main course’ with goat cheese with cannoli and beetroot gave us a break from the sweetness. My favourite was the very smooth chocolate crema cake with a hint of peach from the sorbet.

I will save the citrus crackling bar for later.

Details:
Bathers' Pavilion Restaurant
4 The Esplanade
Balmoral Beach
NSW 2088
http://www.batherspavilion.com.au/
Crave Sydney 2012
http://cravesydney.com/event.php?intid=3299

GPO Cheese and Wine Room (Sydney)

I have been to the GPO Cheese & Wine Room only for corporate events until recently, where we paid a visit for the newly launched fondue menu. For $36 we had bread and potatoes to dip in to the melted cheese, as well as a sample of hams and prawns. There was also chocolate fondue available.

The portion size is on the small side but the quality of the cheese was very high. And the quiet and comfortable dining area made us ordered an extra pate platter, which was also excellent.

Details:
GPO Cheese & Wine Room
No. 1 Martin Place, Sydney, Australia 2000
http://www.gposydney.com