Walk into a Japan restaurant, and you’ll instantly hear “Irasshaimase!” upon arrival. At the new Harajuku Gyoza in Potts Point, this greeting is ramped up to rock-star levels. The overloud cheers are quite something – the staff really amp it up and stretch out the catchcry, like it’s a break-out chorus at karaoke. It’s fun to […]
In the lead up to the Good Food Guide 2014 Awards, editor Joanna Savill said there would be some big “oooooooh” moments. And while some heavy-hitting restaurants lost hats in a much remarked-upon way, there were lots of upsides as well. It was excellent to see Ross Lusted of The Bridge Room take out Chef […]
If you look for Cafe Paci in Darlinghurst, you’ll find it at the old Cafe Pacifico site – the neon sign is still there, minus the last few letters. What’s been subtracted is no big deal, because what Pasi Petanen has added is phenomenal. It easily qualifies as one of the best new restaurants I’ve […]
Here’s the quick version: Ester is a new restaurant in Chippendale, backed by the guys behind Vini, Berta and 121BC. It’s run by Mat Lindsay, and before you go in, you suspect it’ll end up with a high scorecard. After all, this chef used to be at 121BC (Kristen Allan raved about his food at […]
The first time I was adrenalised by a meal was at Bentley Restaurant and Bar in Surry Hills. It was visit number one, the beginning of many trips. That dinner was charged with high-voltage flavours; and it unlifted so many surprises, I was amazed when my feet hit the ground again and life resettled to […]
There’s a pure gut-level joy in eating at a place like Sloppies in Glebe. This is the night-time alter-ego of Wedge Espresso: once evening strikes, this narrow Tetris-block of a cafe gains an American accent and serves sloppy joes, which are burger buns loaded with super-braised “loose meat”. (If you’re a certain age, that phrase […]
Earl’s Juke Joint in Newtown is finally open. There’s been drumroll anticipation for this new bar since last August, when Time Out Sydney reported that Pasan Wijesena (of Shady Pines) would kickstart his own establishment at the old Betta Meats location on King Street. I’ve been keeping an eye out for any microscopic change in […]
What’s it like to stage a dinner in the back lot of Opera Australia? Or throw a random soup party in a park and hope you don’t get busted? Kristen Allan would know, as these are some of the guerilla culinary events she’s organised with Full Circle (the team that also ran The Eat In […]
Some places have a way of winning you over in record-breaking time. This is the case with In The Annex in Forest Lodge, which is now my new favourite cafe. It’s the kind of establishment where you order something unassuming, like Roasted Potato ($15), thinking it’ll just be target practice for your knife and fork. […]
Chur Burger reopened in Surry Hills this week. It’s upsized its digs – moving from its squeezy Beauchamp Lane quarters into the roomier location where Albion Street Kitchen used to be – and it’s also stretched out its menu, too. Not only can you carbo-load on the joint’s acclaimed $10 burgers, you can now score more […]
