Review: Old Town in Newtown

503 King Street

Newtown

Tues - Thurs & Sun: 5pm - 11pm
Fri - Sat: 9am - 11pm

02 9557 4339


It is a cold and wintry night in what had been a cold and wintry week. There is just something about this kind of weather that just screams for Italian comfort food, so we decide to make the long trek back to the old stomping ground and give the Old Town in Newtown a go.

The Old Town is on King Street, but down towards the New Theatre and Pastizzi Cafe end. The place is pretty empty when we arrive but some tables start to fill as the evening progresses. The Old Town calls itself a cafe as opposed to a restaurant and the interior does feel more like that. Some homey touches suit the style of food though.

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: 4fourteen

414 Bourke Street
(enter via 72a 
Fitzroy St)
Surry Hills


Lunch
Tues-Sat: from 12pm
Sun: 12pm - 6pm
Dinner
Tues-Sat: from 6pm


93315399

restaurant@4fourteen.com.au

Buggles & Squeak have been long time devotees of all things Colin Fassnidge (right back to Le Grande Bouffe days!) so when news of the opening of 4fourteen filtered through to us we were counting down the days until opening. We manage to snaffle a lunchtime reservation and one beautiful Friday we make our way to Surry Hills - excited to sample the new fare.

4fourteen is quite a large space and it is decked out in a very urban, but warm, way with lots of exposed brick, beams and timber with a large open kitchen. 

Review : Paddington Arms Hotel

384 Oxford Street
Paddington
NSW 2021


Phone: (02) 9360 9668
Fax: (02) 9361 0779
Email: bar@paddoarms.com

12pm-3pm; 6pm-late 7 Days

Don't you love it when a dining venue lives up to all that you hoped it would?
Nothing disappoints more (in Buggles and Squeak world anyway), than a restaurant that doesn't live up to expectation.
Thankfully, the restaurant at the Paddington Arms Hotel not only lives up to expectations, it exceeds them.
One could argue, how can they go wrong? Under the watchful eye of Colin Fassnidge and Neil Thompson, this is a venture that is bound to succeed.

We arrive early on a Tuesday evening and score one of the very roomy booths.

The fitout is fantastic.... well spaced tables/booths, loads of gorgeous timber and brickwork. The vibe is warm, comforting and relaxed. You immediately feel at home.

Review : Chiswick Pizzeria Ristorante

3b-45 Blackwall Point Road
Chiswick

02 9712 1274
chiswickpizzeria@iinet.net.au

Tuesday-Sunday
5pm-9.30pm

So it is Saturday night, but not any Saturday night, this one finds us in a suburb we have not previously visited.....Chiswick.

There is no question that Buggles and Squeak love our fine dining, but we also love our comfort food...a lot.
Take our regular visits to Riccardo's and the
Pastizzi Cafe for example.

Chiswick Pizzeria Ristorante, sits on Blackwall Point Road, nestled between Abbotsford and Five Dock Bays, the view is quite impressive.

The restaurant this evening is positively buzzing, it is clear to see that it is very popular with local families.

Once seated we crack open a bottle of Pinot Gris and set about deciding what to order.

Review : Gotham (the Paying Visit) - CLOSED

35 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW
At the Hyde Park end of Oxford St.
Phone: 9283 1891
Email: info@gotham.net.au

Tue - Sat 5pm to midnight

The last time we visited Gotham a few months back, it was by invitation.

Time to pay another visit as 'paying customers' to see if we are still suitably impressed.

We still really love the space. Dark & intimate, perfect for catching up with friends over a cocktail or vino and a few shared plates.

Review : Gotham - CLOSED

35 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW

At the Hyde Park end of Oxford St.

Phone: 9283 1891

Email: info@gotham.net.au

Mon - CLOSED

Tue - Sat 5pm to midnight
Sun - CLOSED


As huge fans of Laif Etournaud's (ex-Onde, Bistro Moncur and Berowra Waters) style of cooking (mustard crumbed beef cheeks, anyone?), we are really keen to see what he is bringing to Gotham now that he has signed on as consultant chef.
When you add mixologist extraordinaire, Dane Reid (Jimmy Liks) to the mix....well Gotham becomes a must do destination....doesn't it?

The question proves rhetorical as Squeak and I decide to stop in for one of those midweek early dinners that help shake off the cares of the working week. With the name intrinsically entwined with a New York sensibility Gotham promises much in terms of moodiness and sophistication, so expectations are high as we step over the threshold.

Review: Bellevue Hotel Dining Room

159 Hargrave Street
Paddington  NSW

LUNCH
Tuesday - Friday: 12.00 noon – 2.30pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12.30pm - 3.00pm
Closed Monday Lunch

DINNER
Monday - Saturday: 6pm – 10pm
Closed Sunday Dinner

We all require different things from our food experiences and these will inevitably alter over the course of any given day, week or month. Squeak and I love fine dining, we love experimental cuisine, we are not averse to a bit of cheap and cheerful, but sometimes what everyone really needs is comfort, homely food.  This is the niche where The Bellevue Hotel's restaurant resides.... and they do it well!