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

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