Restaurants

Here you will find local and global restaurants with lots of photos and mouth-watering descriptions. The thing about blogs is that we can include as many pictures as we like! Perfect for showcasing gorgeous dishes and enticing you to visit ASAP!

If you are a PR or restaurant owner please get in touch via the PR/Advertising page.

Puntino Trattoria, Woolloomooloo {review}

Posted on July 30, 2012

It’s a freezing cold night in Sydney when we arrive at Puntino Trattoria on the Woolloomooloo side of Crown St. As we set foot onto the doorstep a handsome man flings open the door dramatically and shouts ‘welcome signora!’.

It’s one of the best and warmest introductions to a restaurant I have ever had, and, although I didn’t know it at the time, it bodes very well for what lies ahead. Tonight is a pretty special occasion dinner as hubby and I are dining with our good friends Elaine and Dylan and we won’t be seeing them again until the end of the year. Not only that, but Dylan does not like mushrooms, which is quite an issue as we are specifically ordering mushroom dishes to celebrate Mushroom Mania.

It’s a gamble, but I’m hoping in my heart of hearts that Dylan changes his mind about mushrooms, if only so he doesn’t go hungry (and just drink wine for dinner!).

As soon as we are seated, the owner Tony (Antonio Sabia) comes to greet us. Tony is a charming, funny and passionate foodie – all of which is obvious as he talks to us about the dishes he recommends featuring the fresh produce that has come in that morning. After we’ve decided on what to order (with Tony’s expert guidance) he ducks off to the kitchen briefly before excitedly returning with a massive platter of raw mushrooms. See picture above. (more…)

Burger Fuel, Newtown {review}

Posted on July 25, 2012

My burger arrived and I hurriedly looked under the ‘hood’ of the bun.

“Oh no!” I thought, “they forgot to put the mushroom on.”

Then I had another thought “dammit, there must just be a few mushrooms ground up into the patty”. Instead of going to the counter to check, I decide to taste it first, and boy am I glad I did… (more…)

Perci Cafe, Stanmore {review}

Posted on July 19, 2012

This restaurant has been reviewed to celebrate Mushroom Mania which is happening all across Australia during July. Scroll to the bottom of this post for full details on how you can take part and win a $150 dinner at your favourite restaurant.

Perci Cafe is a tiny little hole in the wall on the ‘good’ side of the Stanmore train tracks. The side that is slowly trying to be gentrified, but in reality, is actually a trial and error spot for various cafes and other miscellaneous businesses like deli’s, florists and baby stores.

Most new, and ‘fancier’, restaurants don’t last long there (RIP The Codfather, what a great name), but Perci Cafe has been around for years. We have driven and walked past it many times, but never bothered to check it out. The day had come.

(more…)

Lunch (and more!) at Vue De Monde, Melbourne

Posted on July 11, 2012

An overnight trip to Melbourne and a mini dilemma!

(In my Melbourne hotel room at 7.30pm, I dial the concierge on the phone.)

Me: “Excuse me, is this the concierge?”

Concierge: “Yes.”

Me: “Hello, I have a rather strange request. Do you know where I can buy gumboots? My friend and I need them tonight.”

Concierge: “As a matter of fact I do. Big W is open until 10pm tonight and they sell gumboots. I can tell you exactly how to get there. Come and see me in reception when you are ready.”

Me: “Oh thank you! We will be right down.”

–conversation ends.

Thank goodness for the concierge staff at the Intercontinental Hotel in Melbourne! (more…)

Truffle Dinner at Redsalt, Crowne Plaza {Truffle Festival Canberra}

Posted on July 4, 2012

Canberra? That’s so far away! (Says the silly Sydney-sider).

That silly Sydney-sider is me. It’s not that far, you know? It only took us two and a half hours and we didn’t even have to make a pit stop! Don’t you just love learning something new everyday? Me too.

Now that we’ve got the distance out of the way, let’s talk about why we’ve driven to Canberra… for the Truffle Festival of course! In it’s fourth year, the festival is fast gaining traction as one of the best Winter foodie events in Australia. If you’re into truffles, then it’s a must.

So, are you a truffle fan? I must say, people are very divided. There are passionate lovers and disgusted haters. I am a lover, but more on that later.

We arrive at the Crown Plaza in Canberra just in time to check in and see the sunset from the large window in our room that overlooks a beautiful park. Ahh, pretty. (more…)