Review: Mary's - Newtown

6 Mary Street

Newtown, 2042

Mon-Fri 4pm to Midnight

Saturday Noon to Midnight 

Sunday Noon to 10pm

It's no secret, we love burgers. 

Let's face it, sometimes nothing hits the spot like an uncluttered burger. I personally have never been a fan of the 'gourmet' burger - messy and piled high with every ingredient known to man. 

When it comes to burgers, simplicity is key.

The Mary's Cheeseburger comes it at around the same size as a McDonalds Cheeseburger, so with a price tag of $14 (including a small serve of fries) - well, you have to hope this burger cuts the mustard!

The patty is a combination of brisket, chuck and rump - however, as the patty also approximates a Maccas cheeseburger patty in thickness, you never really get to savour the flavour. It needs to be slightly thicker to allow this combination of beef cuts to really shine through. 

Don't get me wrong, the burger isn't remotely dry, it is quite moist and delicious - I just want more meatiness. The bun is sweet and yielding, there is a smattering of pickles and some lovely oozing cheese. The fries are crisp and not too oily - perfect really.

Washed down with a couple of schooners of Young Henry's and we are done!

Next time it has to be the Fried Chicken with a side of mash and gravy....

Squeak

Review: Kitchen by Mike - Breakfast

85 Dunning Avenue

Rosebery 2018

Monday – Friday / 7am – 4pm
Saturday & Sunday / 8am – 4pm

Breakfast until 11.30
Lunch 12 pm-3 pm

Coffee and sweets all day until 4 pm
p: 9045 0910


So today we took the 2 minute stroll to partake of yet another breakfast at our local Kitchen by Mike.

The breakfast menu is relatively small, and today we are both in a Hollandaise kind of mood, so Buggles opts for the Eggs Royale served with smoked salmon and I go for the Eggs Benedict which generally comes with prosciutto, though I swap it for bacon.

Buggles and Squeak : missing in action

......finally settled, a return is imminent!

Kingfish from a recent visit to Cara and Co - yes it was as good as it looks!

Review: Crown Street Assembly - (now Bishop Sessa)

527 Crown Street
Surry Hills

8065 7223

Lunch & Dinner
7 Days

So, it is a quiet Wednesday evening and Buggles and I are in the mood for a bit of a cheeky mid weeker.

Unable to decide on a location we aim the Mazda in the general direction of Surry Hills & decide to take it from there.

Not far up from the Cleveland Street end of Crown, we spot Crown Street Assembly and decide to give it a try.

The room is not large, but on this quiet Wednesday evening they have plenty of room for us.

Review: Claude's (Bar)

10 Oxford Street, 
Woollahra 

Ph: 9331 2325

Bar: Tues to Sat 6-11pm, Sat & Sun 12-3pm
Restaurant: Wed to Sat 6.30-11pm


So how long has it been? How long have we wanted to dine at Claude's - the answer is, a very long time. 

Truth be told, I'm so ancient I could have visited when Damien and Josephine Pignolet were in their first flush of greatness. 
It has only taken 31 years, but we are finally making the visit.

Sure, much has changed in that time - we completely missed the Tim Pak Poy years and current owner and Executive Chef Chui Lee Luk has been successfully running the restaurant since 2004 - but better late than never I say!

So for our first visit we have decided on a leisurely Saturday lunch in the downstairs bar section (we shall save the upstairs fine diner for another time).

Review: Tetsuya's

529 Kent Street
Sydney

9267 2900
info@tetsuyas.com

Lunch:  
Saturday from 12 noon
Dinner: 
Tuesday - Friday 
from 6pm
Saturday from 6:30pm


Celebrating 12 years together has to call for somewhere a bit special.  Ahhhh.. Tetsuya's. 
Long have I viewed it as an unattainable destination. Squeak's food idiosyncrasies have simply made it so - especially the seafood ones. However to the credit of most of Sydney's amazing restaurants who have modified degustation menus to cater for such quirks, as well as Squeak's more adventurous food spirit - we have finally eaten our way across Sydney and straight to the door of... Tetsuya's.

I will admit to feeling a little worried that we may feel let down. The downgrading of their status in the GFG from 3 to 2 hats a few years ago has made me wonder if we will feel just a little underwhelmed by the famed restaurant. As we navigate our way through CBD traffic and roadworks we enter the oasis that is Tetsuya's. From the first greeting at the entry we feel like we are in safe hands. The greeting is warm with no hint of pretension whatsoever, and the room we are led to is elegant and looks out onto the peaceful Japanese style garden.

Review: St Jude

728 Bourke Street
Redfern

Ph: 93103523

7am - late afternoon daily

After our recent amazing experience at Reuben Hills, the hunt was on for yet another cafe to tickle our taste buds.

We had passed by St Jude on a few occasions, however today, we decide to stop.
It is relatively early (around 8), so the cafe is pretty empty and we score a table very easily.

The menu, while not huge, offers some interesting choices and today Buggles decides on the Sweet Corn and Pumpkin Fritters served with a soft poached egg, avocado cream, hollandaise, shaved zucchini and baby spinach salad.

Review: Alio

5 Baptist Street, 

Surry Hills

02 8394 9368

alioptyltd@iprimus.com.au

Dinner 

Mon - Sat from 6pm

When Buggles and I started 'dating' 12 long years ago, Alio was our go to restaurant. We loved kicking back with a Mojito and enjoying their take on modern Italian cuisine.

Over the years our tastes have broadened and Alio seemed to get left behind.

Then late last year we attended an Italian Feast cooking class headed by Ashley Hughes and the memories came flooding back. 

So at long last, we are returning.

Review: Reuben Hills

61 Albion Street
Surry Hills

7days
7am - 4pm

Having been on our hit list for a good long while, we are finally heading to Reuben Hills for an early Sunday breakfast.

We arrive at around 8.15 and there is already a steady stream of customers taking their seats. 
The room is quite narrow & long, with a somewhat warehousey feel to it. 

The menu is available all day and there are some really interesting choices.

Review: The Bar at the End of the Wharf

Pier 4

Hickson Rd

Walsh Bay

Monday to Friday
Coffee and cake 10am - 3pm                        
Lunch 12pm - 3pm
Bar menu 5pm - late 

Saturdays
Lunch 12pm - 3pm
Bar menu 5pm - late 

So tonight as part of our STC subscription we are off to see 'The Splinter', so rather than dine at our usual spot Cafe Sopra, we decide to give the relatively newly opened 'Bar at the End of the Wharf' a go.

'The Bar' fills the space formerly occupied by The Wharf restaurant and after the very lengthy walk down the pier, we are happy to settle into our seats and admire the best view of the harbour, Sydney has to offer.