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European

The Stinking Bishops

There’s just something oh-so-indulgent about having nothing but charcuterie for dinner. I’d like to think it’s because it makes me feel a little bit refined, but really I think it’s more like a meal of chicken nuggets – you know you shouldn’t, but that’s part of what makes it so good. And whilst there are plenty of places around town that’ll serve you up a decent plate of meat and cheese, where you really want to go if you’re serious is The Stinking Bishops. With over 40 cheeses (both local and international) on rotation at any one time, as well as a respectable selection of cured meats, even the most discerning cheese aficionados should find something new and exciting to…

23/09/2020

European, French, Impress Your Date ($35-$50), Newtown, Tapas, Wine Bar

Bistecca

Bistecca was originally going to be my birthday dinner this year, but then, y’know, Covid happened. Thankfully once the worst of the first wave was over, not only did Bistecca reopen quick-smart, they also started accepting bookings for groups of any size. This was extremely good news, because apparently smaller parties used to have to show up at 4pm to scribble your name on a piece of butcher’s paper on the door, and hope you get a call sometime later that night.

16/09/2020

Best Of Sydney, European, Italian, Mr. Moneybags ($50 Plus), Steakhouse, Sydney CBD

Loluk Bistro

Can I get a hell yeah for all-you-can-eat mussels and fries? Because that’s exactly what we’re doing at Loluk Bistro today. I’m not usually huge on French cuisine, as I find it often not well-made enough to justify the high price tag. But at $29pp for all the mussels and fries my terrified stomach can handle, I was in. The premise is pretty straight-forward – make your booking online for a Thursday night, then rock up, pick the type of sauce you want your shellfish cooked in, and they’ll just keep offering you more until you cry uncle. Sounds pretty good hey?

26/08/2020

Buffet, European, French, Impress Your Date ($35-$50), Surry Hills

Love, Tilly Devine

One good thing about Covid – hold on, hear me out here – is the fact that restaurants that never used to take bookings are now pretty much forced to do so. I’m usually pretty resigned to having to show up to a restaurant early and still run the risk of not getting a table, but frankly Sydney is a such a pain to get around compared to Melbourne that I’m much less keen to make that gamble. And that is also pretty much the reason I’ve never visited Love, Tilly Devine up until now, despite it being exactly the kind of wine bar I love and miss so much.

29/07/2020

Darlinghurst, European, Impress Your Date ($35-$50), Modern Australian, Tapas, Wine Bar

GPO Pizza by Wood

I had dinner today at GPO Pizza by Wood. I came across it last-minute when I had a 4pm craving for pizza, but was unwilling to travel very far for it. I know, I like having my pizza and eating it too. Although the restaurant gave off the impression of a rather classy restaurant, the reality didn’t stretch quite that far. It’s situated in the basement level of the GPO building amongst another cluster of eateries, and together with communal seating, formed a slightly more upscale version of a food court that backed up onto a bar area. Its website proudly boasts a reputation as the best pizza in the Sydney CBD, and whilst I’m not completely sold on that…

17/06/2020

Cheapie Lunch (Under $20), European, Italian, Pizza, Sydney CBD

Ragu Pasta and Wine Bar

When I lived in Melbourne, I loved having after-work pasta dates at Grossi Cellar Bar. The casual yet cosy (not to mention convenient!) location, the simple but refined menu, and the comfortable prices made it just about the most ideal location for a mid-week date. Unfortunately, the Sydney pasta scene has so far failed to thrill me, and two years later, I’m still trying to find that place for a quick bowl of good pasta. When I first came across Ragu Pasta and Wine Bar, I was actually pretty reticent to try it. Being a food court restaurant, I wasn’t convinced at how authentic the experience would be, regardless of how much Italian they include on the menu. What finally…

18/03/2020

Cheapie Lunch (Under $20), European, Italian, Sydney CBD

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