Tuesday, October 30, 2012

CHOPHOUSE, CBD

When we went to the Chophouse last Friday night for dinner, our waiter teased us with a special that sold out in the first hour of the night. We asked to hear what it was anyway despite his warnings, and we were left with an empty spot in our stomach that wasn't going to be filled unless we went back for the beef Rossini with jamon, foie gras and truffle.

Beef Rossini or Tournedos Rossini, usually a steak filet served on a crouton and finished with a lightly fried slice of foie gras, black truffle flakes and madeira glaze. Reportedly created for and hence named after the Italian composer Rossini.

So I made sure we got an early table at the Chophouse and I put in a request for two Rossinis to be left aside for us today. The lady on the phone thought I was a little bit coo-coo. Oh the things I do for good food.

And here I am, all food coma-ed out relaxing in foodie heaven. It was everything that was promised but still beyond imagination. The perfect balance of potency and subtlety of the truffle, cooked to medium rare perfection, wrapped in a strip of jamon. I wouldn't change a single thing about the dish at all.

We were surprised to find the bill coming to less than $120. Two Rossinis and two sides (portobello mushrooms and the red oak lettuce with avo, cherry toms and jalapeño dressing).

Foodie bliss!


Meal: Lunch / Dinner
Cuisine: American Steakhouse / Modern Australian

Perfect for: Tuesday night after-work dinner with colleagues
Also for: Friday long lunch with a friend

Price range: Expensive
My rating: 8.5/10 for Chophouse (based on other experiences), 10/10 for the Beef Rossini

Address: 25 Bligh Street, Sydney CBD
Near: The Rocks - go for a few drinks before or after
Hours: Mon-Fri 12.00pm-11.00pm, Sat 6.00pm-11.00pm



Tuesday, October 23, 2012

LE MONDE, SURRY HILLS

If there was anywhere you'd want to make your local, it would be Le Monde. It epitomises the Saturday morning hangover cure - slowly sip your headache away out in the sun, people-watch if that's what pleases you, and enjoy your breakfast delight. Best thing yet - it won't even cost you as much as that cheap and dirty mojito you had the night before.

Back in the old days, Le Monde used to offer a breakfast degustation. A breakfast degustation! That sounds like the combination of all things I love. But it turns out that they stopped offering it in 2011. I think they should definitely bring it back for those of us in love with a good brunch. 

The menu is very decent, and as I mentioned before, it is very decently priced too. But don't just look at the menu and miss the blackboard specials and the baked goodness at the counter - we almost did. And the blackboard specials look insanely delicious too. 

Order the healthy option - soldiers and muesli. Beautifully presented, and perfectly soft yolks. 


Or live a little and order the potato hash with poached egg on chorizo and rocket. More than enough goodness to soak last night's tequila(s) up.

Meal: Breakfast / brunch / lunch
Cuisine: Modern Australian

Perfect for: Lazy Saturday morning brunch
Also for: Lunch on a first date
Hot tip: Check out the blackboard menu too - there are some great items on there!

Price range: Cheap
My rating: 8.5/10

Address: 83 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
Near: Crown Street shops (5-10 min walk), and El Loco is across the road but that's for another time...
Hours: Mon-Fri 6.30am-4.00pm, Sat 7.30am-1.30pm

URBANSPOON

Thursday, October 18, 2012

REUBEN HILLS, SURRY HILLS



Meal: Breakfast / Lunch
Cuisine: Modern Australian / Latin American

Perfect for: Sunday morning post-run brunch
Must try: Salted caramel milkshake. All milkshakes!

Price range: $$ Not bad
My rating: 8.5/10

Address: 61 Albion Street, Surry Hills
Near: About 5-10 minutes from Crown Street
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-4pm, Sun 8am-4pm



Wednesday, October 17, 2012

FOURATEFIVE, SURRY HILLS




Meal: Breakfast / Lunch
Cuisine: Modern Australian

Perfect for: Saturday morning brunch
Must try: Banana cinnamon honey smoothie, pulled-pork sandwich
Top tip: Allow waiting time because it is always full - there are heaps of shops nearby to check out while you wait

Price range: $$ Not bad 
My rating: 9.5/10

Address: 485 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Near: The squash courts at Hiscoes Gym - go for a game of squash in the morning before brunch!
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat 7.30am-4pm, Sun 9.30am-2.30pm



Thursday, October 11, 2012

THE SARDINE ROOM, POTTS POINT





Meal: Dinner
Cuisine: Seafood / Modern Australian

Perfect for: Dinner with your best friends over a bottle or two of white
Top tip: The owners are hilarious and friendly - take their recommendations and make them part of the night's fun

Price range: $$$ Exxy
My rating: 9/10

Address: 31 Challis Ave, Potts Point
Near: Also across the road from Fratelli Paradiso, but that can be saved for another day...
Hours: Tue-Sun 6pm-late


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

SEL ET POIVRE, DARLINGHURST



Meal: Lunch / Dinner
Cuisine: French

Perfect for: Casual dinner with friends before a big night
Top tip: Bottles of wine can just keep flowing at this place - it could break the bank!

Price range: $$$ Exxy
My rating: 6/10

Address: 263 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
Near: A lot of nicer restaurants on Victoria Street (in my opinion)
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-late, Sat-Sun 8am-late 



GASTRO PARK, KINGS CROSS

Game of Thrones degustation:





Meal: Lunch / Dinner
Cuisine: Modern Australian / Gastronomy

Perfect for: Fancy dinner
Must try: Any of the desserts that are made with liquid nitrogen

Price range: $$$-$ Exxy-Splurge
My rating: 9.5/10

Address: 5-9 Roslyn Street, Kings Cross
Near: Kings Cross... but really, don't even think about it.
Hours: Tue-Thu 6pm-10pm, Thu-Sat 12.30pm-10pm



GNOME CAFE, SURRY HILLS



Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Bar
Cuisine: Modern Australian

Perfect for: A quick and easy lunch while perusing the shops of Surry Hills
Also for: Meeting a new friend for a drink

Price range: $ Cheap
My rating: 7/10

Address: 563 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Near: Messina Gelato, 389 Crown Street - go get yourself something cool for dessert afterwards
Hours: Mon-Wed 7.00am-5.00pm, Wed-Fri 7.00am-9.30pm, Sat 8.00am-9.30am, Sun 8.00am-5.00pm



ARIA, CBD

 

Meal: Lunch / Dinner
Cuisine: Modern Australian

Perfect for: A splurge meal
Also for: Meeting a new friend for a drink
Must try: Truffle mash

Price range: $$$$ Splurge
My rating: 9/10

Address: 1 Macquarie Street, 
Near: The Opera House - consider pre-theatre dining
Hours: Mon-Fri 12.00pm-2.30pm, 5.30pm-11.00pm, Sat 5.00pm-11.00pm, Sun 6.00pm-10.00pm 



Monday, October 1, 2012

BACCO WINE BAR PASTICCERIA, CBD (QVB)



Meal: Coffee / Breakfast / Lunch
Cuisine: Italian

Perfect for: Coffee break from QVB shopping
Also for: Quiet brunch in QVB

Price range: $$ Not bad
My rating: 7.5/10 (food), 9.5/10 (coffee)

Address: Level 2, Queen Victoria Building, 445 George Street, Sydney CBD
Near: Shops in QVB 
Hours: Mon - Sun