October 7th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Restaurants | 1 Comment »
Chow Bar and Eating House – the new Chinese eatery for Chui Lee Luk of Claude’s – opened in Surry Hills on Friday. With Cannon Shot Dumplings ($9) and Explosive Lamb ($26) on the cards, it has one fired-up menu. Chow is Chui’s take on Chinese food, with rerouted stopovers in unexpected places. The decor […]
September 17th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Restaurants | 7 Comments »
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 […]
September 4th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Restaurants | Leave A Comment »
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 […]
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 […]
August 5th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Favourites, Restaurants | 1 Comment »
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 […]
August 1st, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Restaurants | Leave A Comment »
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 […]
July 19th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Restaurants | 4 Comments »
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 […]
June 27th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Restaurants | Leave A Comment »
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 […]
June 19th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Restaurants | 2 Comments »
La Lupita unpacks a lot of fun and firepower at The Basement in Circular Quay. This colourful installment to the music venue gives you a reason to visit beyond the bands commanding the stage. While this Mexican eatery has only recently taken up residency at this site, La Lupita isn’t entirely a newcomer to the […]
May 29th, 2013 | by Lee Tran Lam | published in Favourites, Restaurants | 2 Comments »
Here’s how to escape to the country without arguing over maps, stockpiling snacks for the road trip or overthinking which songs should be played through the car speakers. Farmhouse Kings Cross in Rushcutter’s Bay is a shortcut to rural charm that’ll save you on travel time, keep you extremely well fed and, in fact, has […]