Review: Blancharu by Yomo

Shop 1
21 Elizabeth Bay Road

Elizabeth Bay, 2011

P: 02-9360 3555

Lunch Mon- Sat 12-2 pm
Dinner Mon- Sat 6- 10pm


Haru Inukai has left the building, preferring to concentrate his efforts on a ramen outlet at Sussex Centre Food Court. 
Masahiko Yomoda has taken over the reins - hence, we have Blancharu by Yomo.

Tonight we are embarking on a 5 course tasting menu and are looking forward to the Japanese/French fusion.

Review: Vicinity Dining

90-96 Bourke Rd 

(cnr Collins St)

Alexandria 2015

Mon 7am - 10pm

Tue  7am -10pm

Wed 7am - late

Thu 7am - late

Fri   7am - late

Sat  8am - late

Sun 8am - 8pm

Ph: 9002 1333


Vicinity Dining is another of our 'new' locals and Buggles and I have dined here on many occasions. 
We have been here for breakfast (if you are over the queues at The Grounds, this is a great alternative) dinner, and today, another lunch.

The restaurant is quite large, with separate bar and dining areas. The fit out is modern industrial, which suits the space and the location.

Review: Movida Sydney

50 Holt Street,

(cnr Gladstone St),
Surry Hills, 2010

Ph: 89647642

Mon-Fri 12pm - late
Sat 2pm - late
Sun closed

Buggles and I have been wanting to dine at Movida for quite some time now - today however, my visit is sans Buggles, she has been replaced by a few work buddies.

The restaurant is large & airy, with lovely high ceilings - the tables are large & spacious and should easily accommodate the many share plates we plan to order.

Once seated, with drinks ordered, we set about trying to choose a selection of dishes from the rather extensive menu - our waiter assures us that he will not allow us to over order (something that could happen easily, with the wide variety of dishes on offer).

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: 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: 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: Sixpenny

83 Percival Rd

Stanmore

T. 9572 6666

e. info@sixpenny.com.au

Wed-Sat

Dinner from 6pm

Sat-Sun

Lunch from 12pm

I am having a 'Tom Cruise' moment right now - you know, one of those fist pump, jump on Oprah's couch kind of moments. 

This moment has come about courtesy of Sixpenny and the stupendous lunch we experienced there recently.

Let me take you back to that day and how it all began...

We have been wanting to dine at Sixpenny for positively ages - I was tweeting the boys on a semi regular basis asking when they were going to open, were they taking bookings yet, etc. etc. 

When they finally did open, we never seemed to get our act together and actually book, and then before long, the rave reviews started & securing a table became a little more tricky.

...So this day started off as most Saturdays have for the last 4 months - up at the crack of dawn to get the house ready for inspection.

Then with inspection number 112 over, we fire up the Mazda & make the very short trip to Sixpenny.

Review: Catalina

Lyne Park
Rose Bay


t. 93710555
e. reservations@catalinarosebay.com.au


Mon-Sat Lunch/Dinner 
Noon - Midnight
Sun Lunch only
Noon-10pm


We awake to a glorious winter's day; the sun is shining, the birds are singing and we are on holiday - it really doesn't get much better than this....well, yes it does, if you throw in lunch by the water!


With this in mind, we bundle ourselves into the trusty Mazda & make our way to Catalina.


Parking sorted (in a 12 hour zone, no less), we make our way inside. The restaurant is spacious, bright & inviting & complements it's glorious harbourside location.

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 : Bar Mattino - Sunday Roast

96 Abercrombie Street
Chippendale

Ph: 9699 1442
e: barmattino@aol.com

Mon - Fri: 07:00 - 17:00

Sun: 08:00 - 16:00

It is no secret how much we love Bar Mattino - it is our favourite cafe, hands down.

Regulars for breakfast, we have only popped in for the Sunday Roast on a couple of occasions.
Recently we stopped by for the Roast Lamb & the Roast Chicken (both massive and equally spectacular) - but today we are here for the king of roasts, that's right The Mighty Roast Beef!

Review : Mad Spuds Cafe

479 Crown Street
Surry Hills

Ph: 02 9698 8108
E:info@madspuds.com.au
Facebook


Mon closed
Tues-Sat 8am-6pm
Sun 9am-6pm

We are a bit perplexed as to how a cafe going by the name of "Mad Spuds", has escaped our attention for so long.
Buggles and I are long-term lovers of the humble spud - and are constanly on the search for inspired potato offerings.

So finally having heard about Mad Spuds (thanks to them following us on twitter), we quickly decide a visit is in order - and soon.

According to the cafe website, Mad Spuds sources their organic potatoes from Robertson, NSW. The potatoes are grown in rich red volcanic soil, and watered from natural springs and are an excellent source of fibre, low in fat and the skin is rich in vitamins and minerals - you don't need to convince us!!

So this Saturday morning as we awake with a craving for a spuddy breakfast, we make our way to Mad Spuds Cafe.

Review: Alley Break Cafe

Shop 2

4-6 The Kingsway
Cronulla

(02) 9527 6119



Daily 6am - 4pm

It is a gorgeous Tuesday morning after a lovely sleep and leisurely read in bed. The sun is shining the breeze is brisk and Squeak and I decide a trip to Cronulla's Alley Break Cafe for lunch is on the agenda.
We have read that chef Darren de Boer spent time working at Danks Street Depot and upon reading the menu we can certainly see the influence in some of the dishes. What a shame the caramelised garlic bread with butter and parsley was not on the menu today!!!

Alley Break Cafe has a great position and, if you sit at one of the outside tables especially, you get a great view of the beach. Due to the nip in the air we opt for an inside table on this occasion though.

Review : Double Roasters

199 Victoria Rd,
Marrickville

info@doubleroasters.com
ph. 02 9572 7711

7 days 6am-3pm

For a while now we have been passing by a cafe called Double Roasters, intrigued by its exterior we have often said "we must pop in". Today is the day we do.

We actually live only about 5 minutes away from Double Roasters, so have no idea why it has taken us this long to visit. Well, we did make an attempt a few weeks ago, but the cafe was packed and we weren't up to waiting for a table.

So up at the crack of dawn, we are sure this early hour will reward us with a table at this very popular Marrickville cafe.

Review : Chiswick

65 Ocean Street

Woollahra


02 8388 8688
info@chiswickrestaurant.com.au


Lunch and Dinner
Tuesday-Sunday

Tonight finds us dining with The Hamiltons. We love dining with food loving, like minded folk, and The Hamiltons are one such couple.

The four of us have been looking forward to this dinner at Matt Moran's newbie Chiswick for a while now, and from the moment we step into Chiswick Gardens, we know we are not going to be disappointed.

The beautifully manicured lawns give way to a large, contemporary space which is already starting to fill quickly, when we arrive at 7pm

Review : Chimmichurri Bar and Grill - CLOSED

23 Ward Avenue
Darlinghurst


9331 1992
eat@chimmichurri.com.au


Dinner: Mon - Sun 6pm - Late
Lunch: Fri - Sun 12 - 2.30pm




After our very sugar laden lunch of the previous day, we have a real craving for meat…..and lots of it.
Having recently spied the menu at Chimmichurri Bar and Grill, we know it will more than fit the bill.


With the rain recently departed, we hop in the car and make our way to the Cross.
Unusually, we have no trouble finding a parking spot & make our way to Chimmichurri, which sits proudly at the ground level of Engelen Moore’s award winning building, Altair.

The restaurant is large with ample seating. The décor captures the ‘South American' vibe perfectly; with lots of timber & wrought iron, it is classic with modern touches.
The restaurant is headed by Jose Santos, former head chef at Wildfire.

Review : Muse Dining

1 Broke Road
Pokolbin 2320


02 4998 6777
muse@musedining.com.au


Restaurant Wed - Sat 6-10pm
Café Open 7 days 10am-5pm

On a recent trip to the Hunter Valley (for our beautiful niece's wedding), we decided to pay a visit to Muse Dining which resides within the Hungerford Hill Winery.

We are sitting down to lunch in the cafe, which is sleek & quite modern with a very relaxed feel.

Having scoffed a huge breakfast earlier, I am concerned that I will not be able to manage three courses, so Buggles & I opt to share a starter.

Review : Orto Trading Co

38 Waterloo Street
Surry Hills


0431 212 453
dine@ortotradingco.com.au 


Dinner - Tuesday to Saturday nights from 6pm.


Brunch & Casual Lunch - Thursday to Sunday 8am to 3pm


Orto Trading Co is another spot we have been meaning to visit for positively ages; you know how it is though....too many restaurants, too little money!


Anyway, as we near the end of our short holiday, we decide the time is right to pop in for a quiet mid-week lunch.


The restaurant has ample indoor & outdoor seating, and despite the very cute British bulldog sitting at an outdoor table, we choose to sit inside.

The room is light & airy thanks to all the glass; it is a very comfortable space with large tables sporting cute, little floral arrangements that suit the overall theme of the restaurant.


We order our food and kick back with a couple of beers.

Review : District Dining - CLOSED

17 Randle Street, Surry Hills

Sydney, NSW 2010

(02) 9211 7798
info@districtdining.com.au

Monday Dinner 6 - 11pm

Tuesday-Thursday & Saturday
Lunch 12 - 3pm & Dinner 6 - 11pm
Friday, open all day 12 - 11pm
Sunday long lunch 12 - 5pm

Today finds us lunching with our two favourite girls…..H & A.

We are heading to District Dining, and as none of us have dined here before, we are all quite looking forward to the meal ahead.


We initially have a little trouble locating the restaurant, but soon spot the Mondrian inspired panel out the front.
The restaurant is larger than expected, and at this time of day still relatively empty.
Once seated, we order a bottle of 2010 Pike & Joyce ‘The Bleedings’ Rosé, and glance over the menu.

Review : The Abercrombie

100 Broadway
Sydney 2000

9280 2178
info@theabercrombie.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/#!/abercrombiehotel?sk=info

Lunch and Dinner 7 days
 So now we move from the sublime to the ridiculous.
After our light, fresh & incredibly delicious lunch at JOHNANDPETER Canteen, we decide to do a complete 180 and visit The Abercrombie.

Recently refurbed, The Abercrombie sits on the corner of Broadway and Abercrombie Street.

When we arrive at around 12.30pm, the pub is still pretty much empty & we grab ourselves a cute little booth.

As mentioned previously we do have a soft spot for American diner type food, and while the Abercrombie is not strictly 'diner', it certainly is of that ilk. The Abercrombie menu has Buggles and Squeak written all over it.