Recommend a Sydney restaurant

[irdonn]

Coming over to Sydney at the end of May.

We often have one lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant. Last time we were caught up in MC hype and ate at Aria. I thought it was fantastic, despite a lot of negative press it appears to get.

Not keen on degustation and Italian (Nonna takes care of that). Happy to travel to the burbs.

Suggestions?

[DBourne]

Where will you be?

What type of atmosphere?

[irdonn]

Staying in The Rocks area, but happy to travel.

Something fine-dining-ish with good flavours.

[GT0132]

Wildfire at West Circular Quay

Kingsleys Steak & Crabhouse at Wooloomooloo Finger Wharf

Chophouse - Bligh St, City

Level Forty One - Chifley Tower..Pricey but nice. Been a couple of years since I have been there

Cafe Sydney - Customs House, Circular Quay

[irdonn]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Wildfire used to be Bambu, correct? (around 2002?)

What's Quay like, or do they only do degustation?

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by irdonn

Thanks for the suggestions.

Wildfire used to be Bambu, correct? (around 2002?)

What's Quay like, or do they only do degustation?

Not sure on the former name for Wildfire. I've been eating there since 2004.

As for the Quay, that is in the same price vicinity, decor and ambience as Level 41 and do both degustation and a set price menu. Never eaten there but with wine you wouldn't get much change from $500 for two....but hey these places are to enjoy occasioanlly , you don't do it every day and you only live once.

[irdonn]

My friend did her apprenticeship where Wildfire stands today. Last time I spoke to her she was a Sous-Chef de Cuisine at Quay.

500 for two, might be pushing it a bit, but if it's on my card it won't be an issue for the better half.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Another vote for Wildfire. Plus, they are right around the corner from you.

[Torment47]

Thai Flavour - Bella vista
Fusion cafe - Newington (recently renovated)
or
Stir crazy - Milsons point

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by GT0132

Never eaten there but with wine you wouldn't get much change from $500 for two....but hey these places are to enjoy occasioanlly , you don't do it every day and you only live once.

is it possible to enjoy a $250 feed?

[Auslandau]

There are quite a few nicer restaurants about 877.2 km's south of Sydney. Will end up cheaper too. Worth the drive!

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

is it possible to enjoy a $250 feed?

Just checked out The Quay website

Set price 4 course menu $165 each plus your choice of either the classic wines for $90 a head, or premium wines at $175 a head. So if you take the $165 each option for the food and the basic wine package at $90/head thats around $510, plus tip

[irdonn]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

There are quite a few nicer restaurants about 877.2 km's south of Sydney. Will end up cheaper too. Worth the drive!

Ha! *Puts flame suit on* but some of the best meals I've had were in Tasmania.....

[GTPete]

The Summit at Australia Square with its revolving restaurant, its a great way to see Sydney over a nice meal.

[irdonn]

Thanks mate, keep firing with any suggestions folks.

[bng]

360(centre point tower)
Tetsuya's(book now though)
Rockpool at the rocks

[Torment47]

Im guessing you want upperclass 4/5 star restaurants??

[irdonn]

Torment... yeah pretty much mate, but I'm open to anything if it's outstanding for what value for what it is. I don't make a habit of fine dining, just a nice treat now and then.

bng... thanks mate. Rockpool is amazing in Perth.. a silver service steak house, who would've thought? Love the open kitchen design as well. Pity Neil doesn't sort out the Qantas fare.

[Torment47]

haha fair enough, i haven't been to a great deal to suggest then!
but, seens though you live in perth, i'm going there for the first time in June for a week, probley staying in the city, can YOU suggest a couple of descent places for me?? (don't mind if it's average or upper class....)

[Spammy]

Cafe Sydney is always good. Last time I went to Wildfire it was not that great. Level 41 closed a long time ago. If you like Jap - SAKE in the Rocks is excellent.

Universal in Darlo is very good. Marque in Surry Hills is prob best in Syd.

[irdonn]

Thanks Spammy.

Originally Posted by Torment47

haha fair enough, i haven't been to a great deal to suggest then!
but, seens though you live in perth, i'm going there for the first time in June for a week, probley staying in the city, can YOU suggest a couple of descent places for me?? (don't mind if it's average or upper class....)

Sure can mate. I've had a good meal and experience at:

Georges Kebabs at Curtin University (awesome chip rolls)!

And a bit closer to the city:

Friends (http://www.friendsrestaurant.com.au/)

Zafferano (http://www.zafferano.com.au/)

Rockpool Bar and Grill (http://www.burswood.com.au/Restauran...nd-Grill/About)

Red Cabbage (http://redcabbagefoodandwine.com.au/)

Any particular cuisine you're keen on?

My Place in Pier Street does very good value lunch specials and a pint (large beer for the eastern staters) for $15 Monday to Wednesday. Not very fancy though.

[Torment47]

Originally Posted by irdonn

Thanks Spammy.



Sure can mate. I've had a good meal and experience at:

Georges Kebabs at Curtin University (awesome chip rolls)!

And a bit closer to the city:

Friends (http://www.friendsrestaurant.com.au/)

Zafferano (http://www.zafferano.com.au/)

Rockpool Bar and Grill (http://www.burswood.com.au/Restauran...nd-Grill/About)

Red Cabbage (http://redcabbagefoodandwine.com.au/)

Any particular cuisine you're keen on?

My Place in Pier Street does very good value lunch specials and a pint (large beer for the eastern staters) for $15 Monday to Wednesday. Not very fancy though.

Excellent, i checked them out and i like the looks of Zafferano and Burswood
Im not fussed really, Asian,Thai,sushi GERMAN! anything.
haha well we all gotta eat lunch right? yeah ill for-shore check pier st out. i've written these all down for when i come over, thanx man.

[irdonn]

No probs mate. If you want a good view and a bit of a different dining experience I've also had good curries here. You pay what you feel the feed was worth and all profits go to charity.

http://www.annalakshmi.com.au/frame.php?site=/mission/

Zafferano also has an awesome view. Nice walk or short bus/taxi ride from town.

[Miss_XR6]

Just ate at Quay last saturday night for my birthday loved it we had the 8 course degustation and it was worth the $220 per person price tag
The view was great too

Aria is good but gets mixed reviews but I loved it

Coast at Darling Harbor is another of my fav great food and great service but its just not suited for darling harbor as its more finer

Becasse is good as well but only a 25 seater so need to book now if you want to get in

Cafe Sydney is my fav great good/service/views and my other half works there as a chef (high end)so I am always treated as VIP

[GT0132]

Just on Darling Harbour and that general area - stay clear of Cyrens . We went there for Xmas lunch last year and we weren't happy at all. However can recommend Nicks seafood at King St Wharf

Funnily enough these two are owned by the same mob.

[Miss_XR6]

^^^ Would never go to Nicks

If you want good seafood Pier or Boathouse

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by Miss_XR6

^^^ Would never go to Nicks

If you want good seafood Pier or Boathouse

Why do you say that? ....Ok , Nick's is not in the class of Cafe Sydney or Quay , you also don't have the harbour view, but the times I've been there we've never been disappointed. Food and service has always been good.

[Miss_XR6]

Originally Posted by GT0132

Why do you say that? ....Ok , Nick's is not in the class of Cafe Sydney or Quay , you also don't have the harbour view, but the times I've been there we've never been disappointed. Food and service has always been good.

Never had great service on the times I have been there and the food wasnt great either

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by Miss_XR6

Never had great service on the times I have been there and the food wasnt great either

Ok well maybe I've had better experiences...When your boat is tied up out the front and their staff bring the platters over to you when you have to feed whinging hungry kids thats great service, mind you its been a year or more since I was there. I'll take that on board

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by GT0132

Just on Darling Harbour and that general area - stay clear of Cyrens .

I've quite liked Cyrens the two times I've been there.

Then again, I'm not a foodie, so maybe I'm blissfully ignorant.