traditional Italian meets innovative techniques

As some of you may know, I'm not normally one to book an Italian restaurant on my own accord - but after stumbling across this beauty on Instagram and also reading the SMH 2015 Good Food Guide, I decided this wasn't any normal Italian restaurant. I needed to find an excuse to go. Enter my husbands birthday!

Ormeggio at The Spit is the definition of intimate waterside dining. Opening in 2009, Executive Chef / Owner Alessandro Pavoni and Head Chef Victor Moya combine traditional Italian dishes with new, innovative techniques. Forming part of the Sydney Restaurant Group syndicate, Ormeggio at The Spit has always been a hatted restaurant and won various awards, however since 2013 has claimed two chefs hats.

We were lucky enough to be seated by restaurateur Bill Drakopoulos, and right on the wharf's edge where we could marvel at the sun-setting over the water. We ordered the 'Sunday Night Stress Less' five-course degustation. We decided not to get the matching wines, but ordered a glass of the sommeliers recommendation Collestafano Verddichio Di Matelica. It was $18 per glass, but in my opinion well worth it! Light, crisp and a perfect match for the degustation.

First up was the organic warm sourdough with homemade whipped ricotta. I literally could have eaten this the entire night. It was so flavoursome and more-ish, yet still light. The degustation consisted of Smoked Ocean Trout with fennel and squid ink; Tagliolini pasta with mascarpone, bottarga di pilu and lemon; Organic braised lamb shoulder with yoghurt, tomato, coriander and garem masala; Passionfruit sorbet with coconut meringue, lemongrass and mandarin; and the infamous Sponge carrot cake with fennel seed gelato, farro and vinegar caramel.

All the dishes were delicious and strong in flavour, but without being over-powering. The lamb and sorbet were definitely our top two dishes, and I'd go as far as saying the sorbet is one of the best desserts we've ever had! The flavours just complimented each other so well. Plus, how could you go wrong with passionfruit and coconut!? The degustation didn't leave you feeling full (as most degustations do), but didn't leave you feeling hungry either. The perfect amount - which meant that I could have finished off my entire serving of the sourdough!!!

First impressions last, and although the restaurant was a little tricky to find, we were well and truly impressed with the relaxed-but-refined atmosphere. The location of our table was definitely one of the best, and majority of the staff were Italian - which made the experience that much more authentic. Minimalist decor with top quality food, service and a view. Just what we were looking for!

Restaurant: Ormeggio at The Spit

Total Price (for 2ppl) : Food: $138, Beverages: $36

Hours: Lunch: Wed - Sun 12pm - 3pm; Dinner: Wed - Sat 6pm - 11pm, Sun 6pm-10pm

Must Order: Passionfruit Sorbet

my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard

Regardless of whether or not you're a milkshake drinker, The Vogue Cafe is just something you cannot pass up. Re-opening it's doors in October 2014 (in line with Macquarie Centre's renovations) with a new French Provincial theme, siblings Brendan and Sarah Aouad have created a fun and unique milkshake bar and kitchen.

The Cafe has four different areas to dine - outside in the corridor, in the booths, the family/play room or lounging in the open-plan. We ordered the French toast with strawberries, the Nutella milkshake and Monkey Picnic... one from the specials list. And of course, some coffee.

The french toast was nothing to write home about. It lacked in flavour, but the maple syrup and strawberries definitely helped. At least the strawberries were fresh!! The milkshakes were everything they were hyped up to be. Thick, flavoursome and oh-so scrumptious. Not to mention incredibly good looking.

The Nutella milkshake says what it is on the tin (delicious!), and comes with hazelnuts, licorice all-sorts, sour worms and a mini cone. The Monkey Picnic was out of this world! Think bananas, chocolate picnic bar, peanut butter, and caramel syrup; topped with a wafer, chocolate flakes, maltesers, M&M's....

It's the small details that really make this place stand out -  even the base of the chairs say 'Good Luck'! The milkshakes are insane and the very reason that drew me to this cafe (they even offer mini milkshakes for the kids). The interiors are gorgeous, the staff really friendly and atmosphere nice and relaxed. It's a shame that it's tucked away in one of the parking corridors, but if anything you need to go there simply for the milkshakes!

Cafe: The Vogue Cafe
Total Price: Approx $50 (for 2ppl)
Hours: Mon-Wed 9am-5.30pm; Thu 9am-9pm; Fri 9am-5.30pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pm
Must Order: The Infamous Nutella Milkshake

the perfect meeting place

Located conveniently across from Circular Quay ferry terminal and under the AMP building (Sydney's tallest building between 1973-1976), Settlement on Quay has positioned itself as the perfect 'meeting place' for business, tourists and commuters.

Opening in October 2012, Settlement on Quay is the brainchild of brothers Phillip, Steve and Anthony Barbaro - who also run Avenue on Chifley. Anchoring their menu around seasonal modern-Australian cuisine, Settlement on Quay has brought the much-needed cafe vibe to the area. With it's enticing outdoor seating, friendly staff, beautiful interiors and Friday night tunes - not to mention the view - it's not too hard to see why.

I came for lunch with a couple of work colleagues, and we ordered the Poached Lemon Chicken and Haloumi Salad (seriously tasty!), the Pan Fried Duck Breast (a bit tasteless - needed more dressing) and the Warm Moroccan Lamb with Lentil Salad (cooked to perfection).

The meals came out fairly quickly with generous servings; my only complaint is that it took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get and finalise the bill... to the point where I just paid at the counter. But regardless, that chicken and haloumi salad is definitely worth coming back for. One hundred times over.

Cafe: Settlement on Quay
Total Price: Approx. $80 (for 3ppl including sparkling water)
Hours: Mon-Thu 6.30am-6.30pm; Fri 6.30am-10.30pm
Must order: Poached lemon chicken and haloumi salad

a slice of paradise

The highly anticipated renovation of Norths Bowlo reopened as The Greens mid-November 2014. I've been there three times now - for a cheeky evening drink two days after opening, a birthday party two weeks after and for a long lunch with some friends this past weekend. Each time proved why there is such a buzz surrounding it.

I learnt the first time that you can't venture to The Greens without ordering the food... so for lunch we ordered a selection from the menu: lamb neck cooked in pastry with smoked carrot, yoghurt & garden peas; twice cooked chicken breast with sweet corn, braised leeks & almonds; wagyu beef burger with American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, chips & smokey sauce. All meals were as expected - looking fabulous, cooked to perfection and very more-ish.

From the husband and wife duo - Nathan and Lily Fason (formerly Executive and Head Chef at The Grounds), to the incredible family-friendly indoor/outdoor space; the extensive cocktail menu and that view(!) - The Greens is quite possible my favourite local. A pity it isn't open for breakfast though...

Cafe: The Greens
Total price: Approx $100 (for 4ppl incl. drinks)
Hours of the kitchen: 12-3pm; 5.30-9.30pm
Must order: Twice cooked chicken breast + watermelon fizz
Coffee: Double Roasters

a fresh concept to dining

For a bit of a change, my family decided to buy each other the 'progressive dining experience' at The InterContinental Sydney. It was exclusively on offer through Lime&Tonic during Sydney's Good Food Month and we, luckily, snapped up three vouchers. Hands down one of the best nights, experiences and Christmas presents we've ever had.

The culinary journey takes place in the stunning five star hotel, where Executive Chef Tamas Pamer takes us through his seasonal three-course menu in three different restaurants. Starting in the private room at the 'Cortile Lounge', we were greeted with a glass of Bimbadgen sparkling wine by the most incredible and friendly staff one would expect at such a venue. Our entree of Tasmanian Ocean Trout with baby summer vegetables, stone fruits, seaweed, pepe saya and buttermilk was well and truly beyond expectations. Incredibly fresh and very seasonal; the flavours, textures and presentation were second to none.

We took the heritage-listed elevator up to the second floor (we didn't really need to take the lift, but how could we say no!?) to our next venue 'One One Seven'. We were escorted to our private booth where our glass of Moppity Brothers At Large Shiraz was waiting for us. It didn't take long for the crowd-favourite to come out... Marble Score II Wagyu with shitake, black sesame cake, slow cooked short rib, darling mills' leaves and sunchoke. One word. Delectable.

We also had our peach jasmine sorbet palate cleanser here. Let me tell you... I have never in my life seen such a show-stopping, extravagant affair for such a meal. Dry ingredients + liquid hydrogen + sorbet + mortar & pestle = the most incredible palate cleanser EVER. The bar is well and truly raised...

We had to get buzzed up to the decadent 'Club InterContinental Lounge' located on level 33, where incomparable and absolutely breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour can be seen. From the astonishing view to the awe-inspiring dessert... we were literally lost for words. We had the Fairy floss, chestnut cream, cassis, shortbread, french meringue & vanilla chantilly delight, however I'll let the photos do the talking!

Such an extraordinary dining experience, and we will definitely be buying this experience should it be on again in 2015. And if it is, I highly recommend you buy as many vouchers as possible!

Restaurant: InterContinental Sydney
Total price: Approx. $600 (for 6ppl, including wine)
Hours: Various hours of operation for each restaurant. Please refer to their website
Must order: The entire experience! (but our favourite was the Marble Score II Wagyu)