[SYD] Restaurant recommendations

[Falkor]

Originally Posted by Febs

Along with Bilsons, Pier (soon - re-opening as a casual diner), Berowra Waters Inn and Cotton Duck. Hopefully we won't need to add Becasse to that list soon.

Pity - all great restaurants. I'd say tough market - but the market isn't really the problem.

Wow thats sad to hear, I never got to eat at Bilsons although I always wanted to

Went to Peru last week, did the Inca trail and stopped at Lima for a night on the way back. Rocked up to Astrid & Gaston on a whim (didn't even know it existed as I didn't do much research on lima and just looked when i arrived) as it was right by our hotel. Sat in the bar and had some great food, was a nice surprise to end our trip and was amazingly affordable! 3 course meal at a top restaurant for $150 including 3 or 4 cocktails each

[Mitch01]

I'm staying in city next weekend and I'm after a place with a nice harbour view. Sails is booked for a function next Saturday so I'm after alternatives.

Preferably a place with good steaks but other variety, and good deserts.

Prefer a more romantic/quiet atmosphere.

Places like Quay and the big places I guess are unlikely to have vacancies, but would prefer one of the bigger names out there.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Febs

Along with Bilsons, Pier (soon - re-opening as a casual diner), Berowra Waters Inn and Cotton Duck. Hopefully we won't need to add Becasse to that list soon.

Becasse Group gone as of the other week completely.

Charlie and Co they are confident of finding a buyer, all others will be closed after failing to find buyers.

[Febs]

Originally Posted by Mitch01

Becasse Group gone as of the other week completely.

Last meal served yesterday. Sad - met Justin North once and he seemed like a nice decent bloke. Got the impression that his wife and he put a lot into the group. Hope the employees find jobs soon too.

My prediction - he'll come back with a casual diner in the next year or so. Something akin to 4Fourteen (which is excellent, btw).

Cheers
Febs.

[Mitch01]

Yeah, I think they just over expanded way too fast, then when the new ventures didn't take off as planned, bills mounted up, and banks called in the loans.

Such a shame...

[jakiman]

Okay. I usually don't plan ahead but I'll post/ask while it's in my head.
Got my 10 year anniversary coming up next year in August.
So I'm thinking of splashing out on fine dining which we usually never do.

Any recommendation for a fancy place and great food with budget of around $300-400 for 2 people?
(No need for matching wines as I don't drink. Just a glass or two for my missus will do.)

Oh. This is in Sydney and will be for a Saturday night.

I'm asking now just in case some places need really early bookings for a Saturday night with good seat location.

[ricee007]

Originally Posted by jakiman

Okay. I usually don't plan ahead but I'll post/ask while it's in my head.
Got my 10 year anniversary coming up next year in August.
So I'm thinking of splashing out on fine dining which we usually never do.

Any recommendation for a fancy place and great food with budget of around $300-400 for 2 people?
(No need for matching wines as I don't drink. Just a glass or two for my missus will do.)

Oh. This is in Sydney and will be for a Saturday night.

I'm asking now just in case some places need really early bookings for a Saturday night with good seat location.

Quay.

That was easy.

[jakiman]

Originally Posted by ricee007

Quay.

That was easy.

haha. Seems like that is the best from what I've found so far.
So I guess Quay it is then.

Is the tasting menu definitely more recommended than the 4 course meal?

[Mitch01]

The night I proposed we went to Quay and did the 4 course meal.

Quay gets a LOT of praise, and when you dine there it's immediately evident as to why. Food, atmosphere, everything is excellent.

Though I'd check on a cruise ship schedule that the time you book there won't be a cruise ship in dock for a few days (else you get a lovely view of the side of a ship).

The night we went one departed 20 minutes into our meal (YAY!!).

But it's easy to see why it gets such high praise (internationally as well as locally), and why it stands well above other places that have since shut down.

But you'll need to book well in advance. Weekends there is normally 4-6 month wait, weekdays slightly less (about 1-2 months).

[kogi]

Anyone know where I can trade Sydney Entertainment book vouchers?

k

[GreyWolfe01]

Ok, Black was bloody good, but I'm very happy I wasn't paying the bill! Thank god for work functions

Anyone recommend something around world square way, not asian, medium range pricing? Ogalos is good, but we will be dressed up

[Hetty]

Went to Lucios in Paddington (Italian) on the weekend. Cuttlefish ink pasta was fantastic. Main was good, would have been perfect if the duck wasn't smoked... don't know why they did that.

I think the pastas are the way to go, they're listed as entrees on the menu but you can get them as a main. The chocolate five ways was a really nice dessert.

[s3kemo]

Went to Mr Wong's last night. Let's just say I won't be recommending it as a good example... of anything, really. Not the best food, not the best price, not the best service (factoring in the idiot at the front door). Perhaps go if you want to be able to say you've gone, but that's about it in my opinion.

- no bookings (on Fridays, at least) = 1hr 40min wait for a table, despite there being 5-6 empty tables. I suspect they were deliberately kept free, perhaps for that wanky "oh we're awesome busy" factor or to funnel people to the bar so they just keep spending money while they wait...
- the bar was almost all standing room, 2 people deep. Too much effort for waiting for a table for as long as we did
- food was ok, nothing special. had better at misc food courts and yum cha places so it was hard paying $4 each for a steamed dumpling (yep...)

Wait and bar staff were good, except the idiot at the door. Kitchen was quick and efficient once you'd ordered food. Extensive wine list, too.

[Mitch01]

Originally Posted by copious

There are rumours of Movida opening in Potts Point, sign me up please!

I went to Movida (flinders st) for the first time last night during my work trip to Melbourne, it blew me away. I thought the price was quite reasonable for a 2 hatter and I'd say 80% of the dishes were worthy of ordering again (e.g. squid ink croquettes).

Just to let you all know, Movida is due to open it's door in Holt St, Surry Hills (SYD) .... Very Soon ..

Currently renovating and completing the fit out, and it's where Cotton Duck used to be.

I've heard good things about the Melb one, so hopefully the Syd one is decent too!

[Febs]

Originally Posted by Mitch01

Just to let you all know, Movida is due to open it's door in Holt St, Surry Hills (SYD) .... Very Soon ..

Currently renovating and completing the fit out, and it's where Cotton Duck used to be.

I've heard good things about the Melb one, so hopefully the Syd one is decent too!

Great to hear its happening. Pity that Cotton Duck had to die - great restaurant with a great fit out, but I'm sure Movida will make it work. In fact it'll probably revitalise the whole area! Prepare to queue...

Movida is great, but I actually prefer Movida Aqui in Bourke St. Have eaten there probably 10 times and it still rates as one of my favourite places in Melbourne. Never get sick of it! Similar menu to Movida (I actually preferred it to Movida's menu when I last ate there) and easier to get a booking.

Cheers
Febs.

[marcorony]

Speaking of dying... http://www.theortolanonbayswater.com.au/