Author: Sarah Han

Review: A new autumn menu launches at Barangaroo’s Été Restaurant (Sydney)

Spearheaded by ex-Vine chef Drew Bolton, Été Restaurant takes on contemporary French-Australian cuisine with finesse and plenty of flavour.  One of the newer additions to Barangaroo, the restaurant plays on the notion of seasons (Été translates to summer). The menu is, of course, seasonal, but even the interior changes with the décor and installations transforming according…

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Neil Perry introduces a new family style Sunday roast menu at Rockpool Bar & Grill

As we take a seat for dinner at Rockpool Bar & Grill, Neil Perry reminisces how Sundays are set aside for family dinners and sharing a beautifully cooked roast at the table together. This nostalgia and sense of family are what have inspired the new Sunday roast menu with large format meat as the hero…

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Review: Refined dining at Redsalt Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley (NSW)

Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley’s signature restaurant, Redsalt, is breakfast buffet paradise by day and a polished white tablecloth dining experience by night. Focused on local produce, the menu at the property’s on-site restaurant is equipped with a substantial selection of steaks on their grill section. It’s Friday night and we’ve just checked in at the…

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Review: A weekend getaway at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley

Break away from the bustle of Sydney to wile away in the Hunter Valley for the weekend. A mere two-hour drive will bring you to resort accommodation Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, and it’s most certainly an ideal getaway to explore the wine region. Sleep It Off The twin bed deluxe room is reasonably sized, furnished…

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Here’s a look inside Walsh Bay’s newest restaurant Seventeen (Sydney)

Dishing up contemporary Australian fare, the folks from neighbouring restaurant El Phoenician have opened up Seventeen at Walsh Bay. Wondering why it’s called Seventeen? It’s threefold – there are 17 moorings at Walsh Bay, it’s a lucky number for the family, and it’s also located at 17 Hickson Road. Chef Clint Jaeger works with locally…

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Review: Classic French fare in the heart of Woollahra at Bistro Moncur (Sydney)

On the leafy Queen Street, Bistro Moncur is tucked away within Woollahra Hotel. With a meticulous eye for quality ingredients, the bistro has been dishing up classic French fare for the last 24 years. As expected, the French onion soufflé gratin ($24) to start is excellent. The airy French onion flavoured soufflé yields sweetness, while…

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Foodie Field of Winter: A Fungi Feast at The Loch in Berrima

The cool winter air in Berrima lends itself perfectly to an indulgent mushroom and truffle feast. On a brisk but sunny Sunday, we make our way to The Loch in Berrima for a Foodie Field Day celebrating A Fungi Feast with exotic mushrooms from Li Sun Mushroom Tunnels, premium Yelverton truffles and produce from the…

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Hotel Review: A weekend away at Peppers Craigieburn in Bowral, NSW

Built 100 years ago, Peppers Craigieburn is a fine choice for your next Bowral getaway. With well-manicured gardens, a golf course, a tennis court, and a Billiards room, the resort is not only well-equipped but also retains its sense of history and tradition. The refurbished accommodation has preserved the charm of the original homestead. Peppers…

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A Month-Long Pie Time Celebration heats up the Southern Highlands

Over the month of June, the Southern Highlands in New South Wales is embracing the wintry weather and celebrating it with pies. Whether it’s discovering the Pie Trail with just under 30 local pie makers, getting involved in Pie Making competitions or the Pie Time Festival on 24-25 June, it’s a fun-filled festivity for pie-lovers. Last weekend,…

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A new Sydney Seaplanes experience is taking off at Rose Bay

Sydney Seaplanes with its fleet of five planes has recently completed the construction of a new upscale terminal at Rose Bay, featuring a lounge, restaurant, discreet VIP space, function area, and flying boat museum. A Sydney Seaplanes Flight to Palm Beach The Sydney Secrets 30-minute scenic flight ($285 per person, minimum 2 adults) tours around the Harbour…

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Review: Sugarcane introduces a Southeast Asian breakfast menu to Coogee Beach (Sydney)

Unique brunch menus are hard to come by in Sydney. With a forceful wave of avo on toast or anything matcha-flavoured taking over the cafe scene, it’s refreshing to sit down at a breakfast table that delivers on restraint, taste, and technique. A stone’s throw away from Coogee Beach, Sugarcane is the perfect setting for…

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Review: Efendy remains at the forefront of contemporary Turkish cuisine – Balmain (Sydney)

We’re seated outside at Efendy in Balmain on a beautiful sunny Sunday. The courtyard has a casual atmosphere that’s friendly and inviting, extending through to the contemporary Turkish food. There’s nothing too fussy going on with everything we order, just authentic and bold flavours. With a new focus on charcoal grilling, chef Somer Sivrioglu was inspired by…

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Review: Koi Dessert Bar brings Asian flavours to a sweet and savoury degustation – Chippendale (Sydney)

Delectable desserts with Asian influences are at the forefront of Chippendale’s Koi Dessert Bar. Reynold Poernomo of Masterchef fame along with his brothers Arnold and Ronald opened the dessert bar on Kensington Street. A food destination in its own right, the street has quickly become one of the most exciting precincts in the inner city, dotted with cafes,…

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Review: Carmen inspires a Spanish feast at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – Mrs Macquaries Point (Sydney)

With spectacular harbour views and the Sydney cityscape as a backdrop, Carmen at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is a delight for the senses with vibrant costumes, spectacular fireworks, and as a result Spanish-inspired dining. Five different restaurant and bar areas, ranging from casual to fine dining, are on offer for pre-performance experiences. Casual options…

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Review: Mezzanino Ristorante brings yum cha style Italian dining to Waterloo (Sydney)

Step into Danks Street Produce Merchants in Waterloo and you’ll be greeted by fresh produce, artisan goods, and an Italian dining experience housed in the the building where Fratelli Fresh once dwelled. Brought to you by the team behind Fourth Village Providore in Mosman, Danks Street Produce Merchants and the restaurant above it, Mezzanino Ristorante,…

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First Look: Cuckoo Callay’s Bacon Festival returns to Newtown for 2017 (Sydney)

Bacon Festival returns for its third instalment from 14 March at Newtown’s Cuckoo Callay. Running for 12 weeks, the festival features nine bacon-focused dishes alongside the usual menu. Paying homage to film festivals, the naming of the dishes has been inspired by iconic films. Cuckoo Callay sources produce from NSW farms that follow sustainable and…

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Popular Growers Market (finally) returns to Pyrmont Bay Park (Sydney)

The well-loved Pyrmont Growers Market has relaunched in its original location at Pyrmont Bay Park. Held on the fourth Saturday of every month, the market is back bigger and better with outstanding local produce across the stalls. Established for 18 years but taking a 10-month hiatus last year, the market has returned as a result of…

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Review: S’Age Bistronomy fuses French cuisine with Asian influences – Crows Nest (Sydney)

The lower north shore’s S’Age Bistronomy is unexpectedly great, calling on a fusion of flavours where east and west meet. Head chef Tomoyuki Usui has worked abroad before making Sydney his home, so it’s no surprise that his cooking brings French cuisine with Asian and especially Japanese influences. The beautiful presentation indicates French fine dining,…

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Review: The Butler’s new head chef makes some welcome changes – Potts Point (Sydney)

Newly appointed Head Chef George Fowler ha brought a sharp focus on seasonal and sustainably sourced produce to make some changes at Potts Point favourite The Butler. Now with a team that also includes Danish-born Executive Chef Kasper Christensen (ex-Quay) and regular foraging sessions with forager and chef Elijah Holland (who worked with Kasper at…

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Review: The Buena’s Vista Bar – Mosman (Sydney)

Long-standing pub The Buena in Mosman has revealed its new look after an $8 million refurbishment collaborating with SJB Interiors and Tess Regan Designs. A redevelopment which not only includes Culinary Ambassador Guillaume Brahimi bringing over an extension of his famous Bistro Moncur, but a big revamp to the venue’s pub food focused menu. Upstairs…

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Diner en Blanc Celebrates 5th Anniversary on Cockatoo Island (Sydney)

On Saturday night, Le Dîner en Blanc returned for its annual white dinner to celebrate its 5th anniversary. This year the popular event saw 5,000 people donned in white from head to toe flocking to the World Heritage listed Cockatoo Island. Previously held at Sydney Opera House, Centennial Park, Bondi Beach, and the Museum of Contemporary…

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Handpicked Wines have opened a cellar door in Chippendale (Sydney)

A slick new cellar door by Handpicked Wines has opened its doors on Kensington Street in Chippendale. The simply named Handpicked Cellar Door promises guests a journey around Australia and the globe through the ever-loved scope of their quality wines. Far from traditional, the urban cellar door showcases a curated list of wines from some of…

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Review: Lotus Barangaroo (Sydney)

Lotus is the latest restaurant addition to the flourishing dining destination of the harbourside Wulugul Walk at Barangaroo, a third Sydney restaurant for the brand following their original dumpling bar in Walsh Bay and their massive restaurant at The Galeries. Head chef Chris Yan (Lotus Galeries, ex-Billy Kwong and China Doll) takes on native Australian ingredients…

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Review: Bowery Lane’s Weekend Brunch Menu – CBD (Sydney)

Finding a good brunch spot in the Sydney CBD on the weekend can be a bit of a struggle with cafes generally closing up shop. Bowery Lane has come to the rescue with all-day breakfast now available from 8am on Saturdays and Sundays. Continuing on a food philosophy that champions local and seasonal ingredients, the…

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Review: The Resident – Darlinghurst (Sydney)

From the people who brought us Lotus Dining, The Resident is a different beast, bringing Mediterranean flavours and Australian ingredients to life. Overlooking Hyde Park, the restaurant is helmed by Pablo Tordesillas, formerly of Brisbane restaurant Ortiga. Drawing on his history growing up in Spain, Tordesillas unites the traditional and contemporary on The Resident’s dinner menu. Designed…

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Review: Fratelli Fresh (Breakfast Menu) – Potts Point (Sydney)

Known for its pasta, the rapidly expanding Fratelli Fresh family is where restaurant and providore meet. My meals at Fratelli Fresh have always been punctuated by simple, good flavours and fresh ingredients,and that same food philosophy applies to the new breakfast offering, which recently been made available at Fratelli Fresh in Potts Point and Walsh Bay….

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Accommodation Review: Three-Bedroom Townhouse at La Maison (Bathurst, NSW)

Escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney for a change of scenery to explore regional New South Wales. Bathurst is a mere three-hour drive from Sydney, offering a perfectly charming winter getaway. A town alive with history, culture, and a growing food scene, there’s something to see and do for everyone. An overnighter in Bathurst…

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A perfect winter’s weekend in Bathurst, NSW (Australia)

Boasting arts, culture, and heritage, Bathurst is the perfect weekend getaway destination. Only a 3-hour drive from Sydney, Bathurst is the oldest inland settlement in Australia. I ventured to Bathurst to explore its historic city centre, the winter festival, and the budding food scene. Bathurst Winter Festival We checked out Ignite the Night, the opening event…

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Review: Boilerhouse Harbourside Restaurant & Bar – Manly (Sydney)

Nestled within Q Station, a heritage retreat and Australia’s first and oldest Quarantine Station, Boilerhouse Harbourside Restaurant & Bar has upped the ante with Matt Kemp at the helm. With an impressive list of lauded restaurants under his belt, Matt Kemp took on the role of Executive Chef of Q Station in March 2016. Formerly…

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Interview: Rene Redzepi (noma) talks foraging, Australian ingredients, fine dining, and more

Tonight SBS premieres noma australia, documenting René Redzepi’s journey of relocating noma, one of the world’s best restaurants, from Copenhagen to Sydney. The series uncovers how the Australian landscape informed menu ideas, especially foraged native ingredients. We got in touch with René to find out more about his experiences with the celebrated pop-up, how indigenous produce influenced his approach, his future plans, and…

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