buzz = reason to go

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock, Three Williams Cafe - known as the establishment for the urban dweller, the lazy dad or simply to nurse a hangover - is currently the talk of the town. It's all over social media like a moth to a flame. So, of course, I went!

Named after three historical figures from the area (William Redfern, Willian Chippendale and William Hutchinson), the cafe is a transformed storage space architecturally designed by Anthony Gill. It's large, spacious, has wheelchair access and is child-friendly. They even have 'Willy's Corner' specifically for the kids to enjoy! However, due to the large space and concrete floors it's incredibly noisy. To the point where we were almost shouting at each other to have a normal conversation.

The staff were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and efficient; quick to provide a background on the cafe, as well as their recommendations. We were told everything on the menu can be gluten free, which was a welcoming surprise - especially for my dad! Our orders weren't written down, but everything came out as requested.

We ordered the Corn fritters with bacon, nuremberg sausages, tomato & capsicum salsa, roasted potato and sour cream; "The Merchant" - Chilli fried egg, crispy bacon, ranch dressing, pickled slaw on gluten-free bread; Sauteed wild mushrooms with marinated ricotta, truffle balsamic and parmesan on toast and Crunchy brioche french toast with fresh berries, yoghurt, roasted pecans and pure organic maple syrup. We also ordered some coffees, which tasted great but could have been hotter with a bit more froth.

When the meals came out the truffle smell was incredibly overpowering for the entire table, but upon tasting the sauteed mushrooms it had the perfect amount (and I'm not a fan of truffle!). The corn fritters don't look pretty, but they were better than expected and definitely on the higher end of the scale. The Merchant was good, with a bit of a different spin to bacon and eggs. But the brioche french toast. wow. Without a shadow-of-a-doubt the best french toast I have ever had in my life!! The combination of the fresh flavours, the yoghurt and pecans, just really gave it that wow factor. Not to mention the presentation! The portions are bigger than normal, but so are the prices. So I guess it evens itself out... if you eat everything. Which we did!

Co-owner Glen Bowditch (previously a manager at The Grounds and a founding emloyee of Sonoma) and Chef Tim Bryan (formerly Aria and Chiswick) have done an incredible job. Not only have they created the buzz and atmosphere, but they've created dishes for both breakfast and lunch which are reason in themselves to visit.

Next time - and there will be a next time - I've been told to order crispy bacon with the french toast, but I also have my eyes on the bircher muesli for the breakfast (it was a hard decision not to order this. It's always been my go-to, favourite breakfast dish). For lunch, I definitely need to try their famous Wagyu beef brisket 'Narnie'. Until then...

Cafe: Three Williams
Total price (4ppl): Food: $64; Beverages: $15.70
Hours: 7am - 4pm
Must order: Brioche French Toast with berries
Coffee: Single Origin Roasters

the best french toast... ever!

Such a quaint cafe, ideally situated in the backstreets of The Rocks in Sydney. The Fine Food Store offers organic food, cheeses and nic-nacks to takeaway, and also has a sit-down menu with locally sourced coffee from QLD.

I've been here a few times now, each time is as much the same as the other. The coffee is amazing, presentation great and atmosphere laid back and relaxed.

I'm a HUGE bircher muesli fan, so of course I had to try it. Although the presentation is there, it's very difficult to eat and the Bircher a little too sweet for me - it had been soaked in incredibly sweet apple juice. And there is one thing I absolutely cannot stand... It frustrates me more than anything that a gorgeous little cafe uses frozen berries in its meals. Needless to say, I'll never be ordering the Bircher from here again.

If you order the roasted muesli (which is really yummy), ask for milk. All other meals were great. No complaints on the poached egg front - they were cooked perfectly. The absolute standout meal? The brioche French toast. Absolutely insane!! The textures, flavours and the presentation are absolutely to die for. It's definitely worth coming just to experience this.

  

Cafe: Fine Food Store

Total price: Approx $100 (for 5ppl)

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm; Sat-Sun 7.30am-4.30pm

Must order: Brioche French toast

Coffee: Specialty coffee, special blend

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

hidden gem

Tucked away in the backstreets of Kirribilli and offering uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour, Anvil Coffee Co encapsulates shabby-chic with extraordinary quality.

Launching late 2013, the cafe literally sits alongside Kirribilli wharf and is small, but oh-so cosy. Sourcing reclaimed materials - anything from wooden planks to old school chairs - cafe owners Paul Makomaski, Alex Williams and Rani Reddy built the cafe from the ground up.

The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly, allowing their key focus of seasonal produce and Fat Poppy (their unique blend of Single Origin coffee) to really stand out.

We ordered coffee, The Antonio and Bircher Museli. Beyond expectations.

Cafe: Anvil Coffee Co
Coffee: Single Origin
Total bill: Approx. $40
Hours: Mon-Fri 6.30am-2pm; Sat-Sun 7am-3pm
Must order: The Antonio

living up to the name

It's hard to believe that such a beautiful sanctuary exists in the middle of Sydney CBD. In fact, my husband and I walked past the entrance a handful of times because it's so well hidden.

A member of the Relais & Chateaux family, Tetsuya's Restaurant originally opened in 1989 and has consistently been named as one of Sydney's best restaurant. Over the past couple of years however, I've heard mixed reviews. So of course I wanted to make up my own mind...

From the minute you walk into the restaurant you're completely in awe. The waiters are quick to take your jacket and seat you in the dining room, overlooking the exquisite Japanese garden. 

We had the ten-course degustation menu with accompanying wines. Tetsuya's cuisine is quite unique; a Japanese philosophy enhanced by classic French technique. There were - of course - additional dishes and wines which come highly recommended by the restaurant. And it just so happens that we both have a weakness for Pacific Oysters and fine wines.

From the 340 year-old Sake through to his signature Ocean Trout, the entire dining experience at Tetsuya's Restaurant was incredible and comes highly recommended. Every dish was seasonal, light and fresh; the only disappointment was the final meal. The dark chocolate cake was extremely rich and to be honest seemed a little left field.

Restaurant: Tetsuya's
Total price: Approx $800
Hours: Dinner Tue-Fri from 6pm; Lunch Sat from 12pm; Dinner Sat from 6.30pm
Must order: Some of the additional extras