Ripples at the Wharf, Pyrmont

I love dinner. I love dinner even more on a cold and stormy night when you’re all warm and cosy, with belly warming food. The next best thing, is practically sitting in a restaurant kitchen with belly full of warming food! On this particular night, courtesy of Ripples Sydney Wharf via Prue at The Mint Partners, we were given the opportunity to test drive their version of a chef’s table. What’s a chef’s table? It’s when you can dine in the kitchen of the restaurant and get up close and personal with the crew preparing your food. Matt Moran has been doing it for some time at Aria, and I’m sure there are other gems hidden away, and only accessible on request.

Bathers Pavilion, Balmoral

My friend had news. She was so excited she couldn’t wait for our planned lunch and told me over lunch at a food court a couple of days prior. A baby is coming!! Yippee! So a couple of days later she picked me up and we started on our adventure over the Bridge to one of Sydney’s most iconic restaurants, Bathers Pavilion.

The Local Taphouse, Darlinghurst

An easy weeknight, neighbourhood dinner. We’ve exhausted most of the cheap and cheerful options in our immediate vicinity of Surry Hills, and we’ve heard through the grapevine that what was once The Flinders Hotel has had a change of image and ownership and is now The Local Taphouse, a beer emporium.

York & Albany, London

In this special guest post, my desk buddy Skye, who has just returned home from an 8 week jaunt through South America, finishing up in Edinburgh and London,{read about her adventures over here} takes us through her delicious, “last day on holiday” lunch at York & Albany. Enjoy!

When I had decided that I was going to London to finish of my huge overseas trip, the first thing I thought of was doing a posh hotel and food to match. Unfortunately, I cancelled the posh hotel in Notting Hill, settling for a grubby hostel in Russell Square, but I did make a booking at York and Albany, one of Gordon Ramsay’s numerous restaurants in London. Situated between hippy Camdentown and Pretentious Primrose Hill, I thought I had it all wrong, but I guess its in just the right position for its clientele.

Forty One, Sydney

Forty One. Famous for the views from atop Chifley Tower, and head chef Dietmar Sawyere. After Taste of Sydney I was super keen to get to Forty One, seeing as it wasn’t as far as Berowra Waters Inn!

Adriano Zumbo Patissier, Balmain

Most of you may have seen by now Adriano Zumbo’s new range on Citrus and Candy, The Heart of Food, Raspberri Cupcakes, Not Quite Nigella, A Table for Two, Chocolate Suze, The Way it Crumbles, Leave Room For Dessert, Grab Your Fork, Foraging Otaku, Pikelet & Pie, Ooh, Look…, and finally, Something to Nibble on

So here are some photos of some of the tasty treats on offer. I am experimenting a little with my photography having started a class. If the pics look crap, I apologise in advance!

A Tavola, Darlinghurst

A Tavola in Darlinghurst is one place I’ve been meaning to get to for a while. So when my friend’s husband floated it as a potential venue for a surprise birthday dinner, I was first to support it!
Well known for their handmade and very fresh pasta, and the large marble dining table that seats around 25, A Tavola has been bubbling away quietly like their fall apart braised guanciale. For those familiar with the area, you may know that Chef Eugenio Maiale in conjunction with Nick Palumbo of neighbouring Gelato Messina, took over Providore Pelagio, turned it into Gastronomia Pelagio and are now turning it into bar.

*UPDATE* The Bar, known as Omerta looks like it’s about to open very soon

Dinner for 9 or 10 is a big ask for a small restaurant on a busy Friday night, but this place had no problem fitting us in. We had been given the option of a set menu for about $80 per head, but we were better off ordering a la carte, including wine, salads and dessert! We were seated at a large table in the back courtyard, a space made intimate with gorgeous lighting.