long lunching at its best... and with a view!

One of Sydney's hidden treasures, The Theatre Bar At The End of The Wharf (TTBATEOTW) is located on Pier 4 at Walsh Bay (within Sydney Theatre company). The interiors have a paired-back, industrial chic feel, but as soon as you walk in you can't help but be mesmerised by the jaw-dropping views of Sydney Harbour. The ambiance is casual yet sophisticated, which was completely reflected by the friendly staff.

Normally TTBATEOTW specialises in Modern Australian share plates, however when you're lucky enough to attend a private lunch on the large balcony, you experience the delicious food from Fresh Catering. We had the three-course set menu partnered with the premium beverage package (Cockfighters Ghost Sparkling Wine, Optimiste Pinot Gris and Optimiste Marquis).

We started with the Spiced Tuna, preserved lemon puree, fennel, caper & sherry which was ridiculously tasty. I honestly didn't have high expectations just from reading the menu, but I was blown away. The ingredients and flavours were the perfect accompaniment to each other. Yum!!

Our main was the Beef fillet, beetroot puree, horseradish cream with tatsoi. Three words - cooked to perfection. I may have finished my meal before it was even placed in front of me... It looked fantastic, and tasted even better.

Again the dessert I wasn't necessarily looking forward to. As much as I love chocolate and rhubarb, I don't tend to gravitate towards tarts as they're too rich. The Chocolate fudge tart, roasted rhubarb & strawberries was insane. Like Christmas on a plate. So, so, so tasty.

I was absolutely blown away by the this venue. Every single dish was amazing, the wine was incredible, the company was far too much fun, and that view!!! Would love to come back and see whether the a la carte and share plates are to the same standard...

Restaurant: The Theatre Bar At The End of The Wharf
Total price (for 27 people): Food: $2396; Beverages: $980
Hours: Mon - Fri 9.30pm to late; Sat 12pm to late
Must order: Spiced tuna entree

hidden paradise

Unless you're aware that this little beauty exists, you would drive straight past it... The Boathouse Palm Beach is a charming cafe with breathtaking views over Pittwater and Palm Beach. Fresh flowers, quality Australian produce, and alfresco dining draw the crowds every day - and I highly suggest you get in early to avoid excruciating waiting periods for both seating and your food.

We went on a Friday (so didn't have any problems with crowding) and ordered Raw muesli with coconut yoghurt, almond milk and fruit; Eugalo Farm breakfast - scrambled eggs, potato, minute steak, tomato, asparagus & foccacia and Poached eggs with bacon, roast tomatoes, avocado & sourdough. I don't normally order muesli when I'm eating out (it's so easy to make it at home!?), but this dish came highly recommended from one of my colleagues, so I felt I should try it - even at $18! I do have to admit though, that it was seriously delicious. I'm glad I tried it, but I wouldn't order it again purely due to the price. The poached eggs and bacon are a staple and were cooked to perfection, while the Eugalo farm breakfast was a surprisingly large, and super tasty.

We also ordered a cappuccino, latte, green tea, and a coconut. There's nothing better than a fresh coconut, but at $7 a pop I won't be going back for seconds...

The food was delicious and atmosphere relaxed, but I honestly cannot get over the prices. The staff were really friendly, but apart from taking your order and delivering the food I struggle to see why the price tags are so high... Apart from that, I did really enjoy the entire experience.

Cafe: The Boathouse Palm Beach
Price (for 4ppl): Food $90; Beverages $
Hours: 7am - 4pm
Must order: Eugalo Farm breakfast
Coffee: Single Origin Coffee Roasters

kingfish, haloumi, churros... yes.

Nomad is one of those places that I have always wanted to go to. It has such a great reputation, the meals look amazing and the menu sounds delectable. Not to mention it's on a street surrounded by some pretty incredible restaurants...

Known for its Australian-only wine list, local produce and traditional culinary skills, co-owners Al Yzabek (formerly Toko) and Rebecca Littlemore opened Nomad in November 2013. Chef Nathan Sasi (previously of Heston Blumental's Diner, Moro in London, Sean's Panaroma and est.) uses traditional cooking methods such as pickling, curing, smoking and fermenting.

I went to Nomad last weekend with 12 of my girlfriends, and we were lucky enough to be seated in the private area - right next to the wine bar (on purpose perhaps?) and the glass room dedicated to cheese and charcuterie. The lighting was fantastic, atmosphere great and service good, considering we were a loud group of girls.

Due to the size of our party, we had to have the Feed Me menu, which included Woodfired sourdough with black salt butter; Nomad pickles & olives; Selection of housemade Nomad charcuteri; Raw kingfish with harissa, blood orange and fennel; Goat's cheese churros with truffle honey; Nomad jersey milk haloumi with BBQ zucchini, pinenuts and raisins; BBQ carrots with almond dukkah and labne; BBQ lamb rump with Moroccan eggplant and sheeps yoghurt; and Daintree Estate chocolate cake, Iranian apricot and Nomad creme fraiche.

The kingfish, haloumi, churros and BBQ rump were the standouts, but to be honest I left feeling a little underwhelmed. There was such hype coming here, and don't get me wrong the food was really nice, but it just didn't have that 'wow factor' I was expecting from a restaurant with one chefs hat.

Would I go back? Perhaps... Only to try the a la carte menu though.

Restaurant: Nomad
Total price (for 13ppl): Food: $845; Beverages: $450
Hours: Lunch Wed-Sat 12-2.30pm; Dinner Mon-Sat 6pm-late
Must order: Goat's cheese churros with truffle honey

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