Sails on Lavender Bay (Sydney)

We went to Sails on Lavendar Bay for dinner on our anniversary and it was a perfect night to dine by the harbor with clear sky and the full moon.

We really enjoyed the degustation menu. The scallops, duck and lamb dishes were flawless. Pace was the only issue as it seems our dinner was slowed down so the table of four next to us could catch up.

Details:
Sails on Lavender Bay 
2 Henry Lawson Avenue
McMahons Point
http://www.sailsrestaurant.com.au/

Vue (Auckland)

I dined at the Vue Restaurant for pretty much the entire week during my stay at the Mercure Hotel in Auckland. Situated at the top floor of the hotel building, the restaurant has a fantastic view of the harbor so make sure you get yourself a table next to the window.

The lamb rack was generous in portion and well cooked, but make sure you ask for the fish of the day before making a decision. The vegetarian pasta was a bit strange with fried asparagus on top of the cream sauce. The sundae dessert was satisfying.

Details:
Vue Restaurant
8 Customs Street East 
(Top Floor, Mercure Auckland) 
Auckland Central
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1721-mercure-auckland/restaurant.shtml

Bay Tandoori (Waverton Sydney)

For New Year’s Eve, we went to Bay Tandoori at Waverton for an Indian banquet dinner. We worked up an appetite after a long stroll along the vantage points for the Sydney Harbour fireworks.

While we expects a New Year’s Eve banquet to be overpriced (at any places), we certainly feel we have got our money’s worth. There was prompt pappadams on arrival, followed by a freshly fried platter of vegetarian starters. The curries was flavourful with enough naan bread and rice for the 2 of us.

Details:
Bay Tandoori
69-71 Bay Road
Waverton
NSW 2060
http://www.baytandoori.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/

Bouchon (Bendigo)

I went for a quick bite at Bouchon in Bendigo after a full day of client interviews, thinking a hearty French meal will help me to overcome the very cold weather.

The menu offers a good range of winter dishes. I went for the pickled and oven roasted lamb which was very tender with extra depth in flavour from the pickling process.

Details:
Bouchon Bendigo
61 High Street
Bendigo
http://www.bouchonbendigo.com.au

The Foodstore (Auckland New Zealand)

After spending 12 days in Auckland on business I still haven not had a chance to taste the famous New Zealand lamb. I headed to The Foodstore with lamb in mind.

The restaurant was great for the lone business traveller with TVs showing food programs. Both my lamb cutlet and venison dishes were excellent. New Zealand lamb is really different than others with added tenderness and flavour.

The trifle wrapped up a wonderful day with the many layers of texture.

Details:
The Foodstore
Market Square, Viaduct Harbour
Auckland, New Zealand
http://thefoodstore.tv/

Jean Georges (New York)

We arranged our dinner at 3 Michelin star Jean-Georges as a way to wrap up our visit (in my case, reward for a few days of business meetings).

We went for the prix fixe menu of 4 courses. I really enjoyed my foie gras brulee with smooth foie working so well with the candied pistachios. My partner’s trout and oyster tartare was such a smart combination. Our meat courses of duck breast and lamb were beautifully presented and the meat perfectly cooked. Service was impeccable from start to finish and we thank them for a great experience.

Details:
Jean-Georges
1 Central Park West
New York
http://www.jean-georgesrestaurant.com/jean-georges/

Orchid Persian Restaurant (Willoughby Sydney)

We spent a Friday night with a couple of friends at Orchid Persian Restaurant in Willoughby. By ordering the banquet menu in advance, the restaurant will arrange special belly dance performance on Friday and Saturday nights.

The banquet menu was extremely generous. Large amounts of meat kebabs followed the hummus, dips and bread. The chicken kebab was particularly tender and we all loved the Middle Eastern flavours. The belly dancing was performed by a true professional dancer and made the night truly entertaining.

Details:
Orchid Persian Restaurant
325 Penshurst Street
Willoughby NSW 2068
http://www.orchidpersianrestaurant.com.au/

Spiedo (Sydney)

With most restaurants in the Sydney CBD closed on a Sunday, it was difficult for us to find a table for 4 at dinner time. Fortunately Westfield Sydney was opened and we dined at Spiedo Restaurant on level 6.

The restaurant specialises cuisine from Northern Italy and the dishes were perfect for a cold winter night. My orecchiette gorgonzola was rich and satisfying. The lamb rump main was perfectly cooked and very tender. It was ashamed how quiet the place (and the whole floor of restaurants) was despite the quality of food. The tiramisu was also worth a try.

Details:
Spiedo Restaurant & Bar
Westfield Sydney Level 6
77 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.spiedo.com.au/

Cotton Duck ... one more time (Sydney)

We visited Cotton Duck for the last time, a week before its closing. The service was still polite and attentive. We enjoyed the corn polenta entrée and shared the boer goat. My favourite of the night was the freshly made plum pie – a great way to end a cold and rainy night.

Sad to hear that it is closing down, thanks for the memories.

Details:
Cotton Duck
50 Holt Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
http://www.danksstreetdepot.com.au

Yoshii (Sydney)

We went to Yoshii on Valentine’s Day for their special menu. While expecting the usual drop in standards for this ‘special’ occasion, we still had high expectations due to its reputation.

The food is best described as a clash of east and west, rather than a perfect balance between the two. Dishes such as trio of snapper, venison carpaccio with chocolate sauce, and poached lamb with soy sauce had beautiful presentation. However the flavour fell short.

The sushi plate rescued the meal – simple, authentic and very fresh. So we would recommend you to dine at the sushi bar.

Details:
Yoshii
115 Harrington St 
The Rocks NSW 2000
http://www.yoshii.com.au/

Hotplate Steak House (Sydney)

$20 seldom gives one a full serviced meal these days. However we found a gem in the middle of Chinatown, Hotplate Steak House, which offers a complete set menu for just $20. Its dining room upstairs is clean and simple, coupled by friendly service.

The set menu includes an entree salad, soup, garlic bread, a main course served on a hotplate, dessert, and a palate cleansing sorbet! It is certainly great value. The sight of meat sizzling on the hotplate always generates an excitement. However the meat will be slightly overcooked towards the end of the meal.

Details:
Hotplate Steak House 
13 Goulburn St 
Sydney NSW 2000 
http://www.facebook.com/HotplateSteakHouse 

Rhodes Phoenix (Sydney)

Dinner with family on Chinese New Year’s Eve is an important tradition. Rhodes Phoenix was packed with diners looking forward to the Year of the Dragon.

The large tables were enjoying traditional banquets. With only 4 of us, we went for the timeless dried oysters with ‘black hair’ seaweed (homonym to ‘great business profit’), a 1.9kg lobster with ginger and shallots, and the modernised cumin lamb shanks.

I have always loved the dried oyster dish and enjoyed the rare occasion to taste the intense savory fishy, yet subtly sweet flavour. However, lamb shanks were very tough.

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Details:
Rhodes Phoenix
Rhodes Shopping Centre
Level 5, 1 Rider Boulevard
Rhodes NSW 2138


See previous blog entry on Manly Phoenix here

Porteno (Sydney)

I went to Porteno twice in 8 days, fortunately got seated immediately on both occasions. You must go early as there is a queue 15 min from its opening time of 6pm and bookings under 5 people are not accepted.

Once we were in, the meat feasts were memorable. I loved both woodfired dishes although I favoured the suckling pig over the lamb (just). BBQ eggplant ensalada combined well with the crispy bread; the blood sausage had the perfect level of spiciness; and the fried brussel sprouts were delicious. The pavlova was the standout among the 4 desserts.

(New Restaurant of the Year well deserved!!!)




Details:
Porteno
358 Cleveland Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
http://www.porteno.com.au/

The Vineyard (Crows Nest)

I always walked past Vineyard Restaurant at Crows Nest to find that they are already fully booked for the night. On a quiet weeknight the family was finally able to get in. The restaurant was able to duplicate the vineyard atmosphere. The menu offers a good range of fare but always refer to the blackboard special.

The family enjoyed the meal. The lamb was perfectly balanced with the beetroot. The steak was cooked perfectly. And the special farfalle with prawn and asparagus was excellent where the hand-made pasta really stood out.

Details:
The Vineyard Restaurant Lounge
104 Willoughby Road
Crows Nest NSW 2065
http://www.vineyardrestaurantlounge.com.au