French
Hayes Street Wharf Bistro
This gold patterned little French hideaway on the sleepy streets of Neutral Bay is a hidden gem. In an age of share plates, it was nice to settle in for a three-course-meal of continental cuisine. I started with the delightful Chicken Liver Parfait ($16) with cherries, while my dining companion opted for Scallop and Crab Boudin Blanc ($18) – a kind of seafood sausage, served swimming in crab bisque and caviar, basically the south of France on a plate.
Le Pub
Descending the stairs of the CBD’s go-to French bistro Le Pub, this seemingly trendy, tardis-like, Parisian-style establishment opens up to reveal an odd mix of the after work drinks’ crowd, family diners, and girls’ night victims. Nonetheless, the tastefully decorated venue is quite comfortable, albeit a little raucous on the evening I dined.
Pitt St Diner
Every neighbourhood should have a little Parisian bistro. Better still, one with young French chefs from the south-west of France in the kitchen who play to their seaside strengths and offer up a clattering mound of Moules Marinières ($25) in a white wine and cream sauce, slightly smoky from a good flambé.
Mere Catherine
It seems fitting to do my thousandth review at one of Sydney’s smallest restaurants. Weighing in at just sixteen seats, this tiny terrace on Victoria Street, Potts Point, delivers a disproportionately memorable dining experience.
Food News – Fairfield RSL
In the week that former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam died, I spent time in his old electorate, Werriwa. I was there visiting Fairfield RSL, touted as the gastronomic destination of the West.
Montagne
A notch down from neighbouring La Tratt but no less committed to excellence, is Montagne. Created in the style of a convivial Parisian bistro, its black and white ceilings, complete with fabric shaded lamp chandeliers, are visually pleasing.
Vincent
If there’s one dish you should eat before winter is behind us, it’s the Poulet Roti ($35) here. Combining everyone’s favourite - roast chook - with rich bread sauce, chestnuts and sprout leaves, this dish is a cold season smile-maker.
Ananas Bar & Brasserie
They’re assembling quite the gun team over at Ananas, what with Citi Service Excellence Award winner Louise Tamayo stepping in as Venue Manager, and Daniel Mussen (ex-Shady Pines) helping kick the cocktails up to the next level.
Café Nice
Nice, lying close to the Italian border on the Mediterranean coast of France has historically had more in common with Italy than France. Which is arguably the raison d'être behind Fratelli Fresh going “Fratelli French” as bartender Sebastian Vicente likes to describe it.
Délisse
While the new Délisse flagship store isn’t breaking revolutionary ground, what with global chains like Délifrance being in operation for twenty-five years, it does have a demonstrable commitment to excellence that’s already winning fans.
