Vulcan's (Blackheath Blue Mountains)

We visited Vulcan’s at Blackheath for a Sunday lunch as we heard the legendary chef-owner will be retiring. The dining room was packed on what was the chef’s second last weekend of service.

The highlight for me was the crab soup entrée with red rice. The broth was clean yet packed with seafood flavour. The famous oyster blade was tender and similar in taste to a good beef brisket at Chinatown (maybe the hour long wait for main course dulled our taste buds). The yogurt brulee was our favourite dessert, and it was fun to taste the chequerboard ice-cream.

Details:
Vulcan's
33 Govetts Leap Road 
Blackheath NSW 2785

The Union Hotel (North Sydney)

We were starving after a long day of work and just managed to have enough energy to walk to The Union Hotel for some gourmet pub grub. The scotch fillet burger was juicy and generous. And my beef cheek was extremely tender. It was a good night as we got to wind down over a relaxing meal at a place with an ambiance resembling a French bistro.

Details:
The Union Hotel
271 Pacific Highway (corner West Street)
North Sydney 2060
http://www.unionhotel.com.au

Mino (Willoughby)

When we heard Mino has opened a new restaurant at Willoughby, we were dying to go given our kaiseki experience at the Mosman restaurant last year.

The Willoughby restaurant focuses on sushi but a set menu is also available. While the ‘Willoughby set’ is a smaller set menu than a kaiseki but still offer 4 courses consisting of soup, sushi and sashimi, an entrée plate, and your choice of main. All the dishes were authentic and generous in portion – all for $30! If I have to be picky the entrée plate was rather salty, so get yourself a nice beverage.

Details:
Mino Sushi & Sake Willoughby
533 Willoughby Road
Willoughby NSW
http://minomino.com.au/willoughby/