November 21st, 2015 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Favourites, Latest | Leave A Comment »
FBi Radio announced its nominees for its SMAC (Sydney Music Arts and Culture) Awards this week. I’m really thrilled with the shortlist for Best Eats, which was (with much difficulty, given all the amazing contenders!) narrowed down to this line-up of local greats. With some co-conspirators at FBi, we’ve nominated the following talents. Here are […]
October 12th, 2015 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Bars, Favourites, Latest, Restaurants | Leave A Comment »
The name Dead Ringer might evoke mirror images and carbon copies – so it’s ironic that this new Surry Hills bar is unlike anything else around in Sydney. But its one-of-a-kind impact is what makes it so great; and, like Automata, it’s one of my favourite places to open this year. Dead Ringer is by […]
September 29th, 2015 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Favourites, Latest, Restaurants | Leave A Comment »
You’ve already seen the raves blowing up your Instagram screen. Automata may have only opened recently in Chippendale, but the restaurant is already straight-out-of-the gate awesome. It’s like an incredible time-lapse trick, the way Clayton Wells’ solo venture for The Old Clare Hotel has fast-tracked itself to greatness so quickly. My friend Shannon even announced […]
March 26th, 2015 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Cafes, Favourites, Latest | 1 Comment »
Dr Faustus in Surry Hills offers fast-acting relief against hunger, thirst and cafe-menu fatigue. With its inventive offerings – from an addictive Pulled Mushroom Bun ($14) to its Australian take on cereal milks – this establishment brings a booster shot of originality to the Sydney dining scene. In fact, it’s an excellent prescription for anyone […]
January 3rd, 2015 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Cafes, Favourites | 3 Comments »
Let’s call Edition Coffee Roasters in Darlinghurst my favourite new cafe right now. Small in scale, but big on brilliance, this place offers immediate relief against all the samey establishments where eggs on toast is a protected species and every menu looks like a carbon copy of any other caffeine-dispensing joint. As you’d guess from […]
November 1st, 2014 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Favourites, Latest, Restaurants | 2 Comments »
Here’s an excellent way to jumpstart your Sunday – try the new brunch menu at Bar H in Surry Hills. Bring a supersized appetite, because the extensive menu is designed to ruin strict diets and make you want to order enthusiastically. There’s none of the standard-issue eggs/toast/muesli cliches – in fact, Bar H has taken […]
October 16th, 2014 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Favourites, Latest, Restaurants | 7 Comments »
Calling your restaurant ACME is some ballsy move. Sure, it’s a convenient merger of people’s initials – taking the first names of everyone involved (Andy Emerson, Cam Fairbairn, Mitch Orr, Ed Loveday) and like a killer Scrabble ploy, reshuffling everything into a slick word that scores you a lot of kudos. But the title is […]
January 8th, 2014 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Favourites, Restaurants | 4 Comments »
Some winning streaks can not be stopped. The new Papi Chulo restaurant in Manly continues Dan Hong’s hitmaking record with Merivale (Ms G’s, El Loco, Mr Wong) and the executive chef is joined here by two brilliant co-conspirators and head chefs, Patrick Friesen (who has been running Ms.G’s for the last two years) and Christopher Hogarth […]
November 16th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Favourites, Restaurants | Leave A Comment »
Moon Park modestly claims to be the “2nd best Korean restaurant at 34 Redfern St, Redfern”, ceding all bragging rights and competition-beating honours to Danny’s Rice Bar downstairs. By that logic, Danny’s establishment must be category-killing awesome, because Moon Park sets the bar damn high. You’ll find the eatery above Jason Mowen Decorative Arts. The […]
August 26th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Favourites, Restaurants | Leave A Comment »
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 […]