meat lovers

Launching early 2014 by the popular Urban Purveyor Group, the dining hall at Swine & Co is located underneath the street-level bar in Sydney CBD and deceivingly quite big. A carnivore's heaven, the interiors are tastefully styled with a focus on the pig, however I wouldn't suggest this place for vegetarians or animal lovers...

With an open-plan kitchen to watch Head Chef Robert Taylors team, the service is laid-back, friendly and full of advice. High on the recommendations list is the terrine platter, oysters, the brussel sprouts side and the pork belly. We HAD to get the pork belly!!!

The complimentary amuse bouche was delicious (sugar cured salmon with creme fraiche and black caviar) as were the dozen oysters - all of which were gone before they were placed on our table! Between the four of us we ordered 2 x pork belly, gnocchi, and steak for mains, with sides of brussel sprouts and hand-cut chips.

Dessert consisted of creme brûlée (scrumptious) and the chocolate mousse. And as much of a chocolate lover that I am, the mousse was unfortunately too rich. Especially after such a heavy meal.

In my honest opinion the atmosphere and food was really nice, but the highly recommended pork belly wasn't as good as it was talked up to be, and across the board I expected more flavours... Overall a good restaurant, not on the top of my 'going back in a hurry' list though.

Restaurant: Swine & Co 

Total price: Approx $300 (for 4ppl)

Hours: Mon - Sat, 11pm till late

Must order: Brussel sprouts side and creme brûlée

weekend summer haunt

There are a number of cafes in Balmoral, but in my opinion it wasn't until The Boathouse entered the scene did I consider going out of my way to eat there... unless of course I was going to the beach! Opening in March 2013, The Boathouse Balmoral Beach brings rustic beach-side dining, local produce and a game-changing cafe to one of my favourite beaches.

If you don't mind lining up to order your food (I'm talking 30 minutes when it's busy) and acting like a seagull to get a seat (at the ridiculously tiny and hard-to-come-by tables), then you're in for a treat. The sun-bathed wharf gets the best of both worlds - the beautiful ocean view and the gorgeous beach.

We ordered the Quinoa bircher with greek yoghurt, apple, dates & nuts and a Bacon & Egg roll with BBQ sauce, tomato relish and tomato chill jam. I am ob-sessed with bircher muesli. Like seriously obsessed. And to combine the bircher technique with quinoa... I thought I'd be in heaven. But honestly, it was tasteless and I was so disappointed. The bacon and egg roll on the otherhand, was delicious. The relish and chilli jam really make it, and the egg was cooked just enough for the yolk to run (but not too much).

Would I go back...? I already have. It's definitely my favourite cafe in Balmoral, and is my weekend haunt during the summer.

Cafe: The Boathouse Balmoral Beach
Hours: 7am - 4pm
Price (for 2ppl): Food $30; Beverages $8.50
Must order: Bacon & Egg Roll
Coffee: Single Origin Coffee Roasters