Yayoi, The Galeries


Yayoi is not just another Japanese restaurant. Yayoi is a restaurant specialising in Teishoku - a Japanese set meal that consists of a number of smaller dishes, often served on a tray with steamed rice and miso soup.

I love Choux!


There is something quite extraordinary about pastry. I find it truly amazing that a simple mixture of butter, flour and water can magically transform in the oven into a light, airy puff, or develop a multitude of flaky layers. There are so many desserts that would be amiss without pastry. What would the world be without the 'pie' in apple pie, the buttery crust of a lemon meringue tart, or the light softness of a chocolate Ă©clair?

A Tuscan Feast at Andiamo Trattoria del Popolo, Chippendale


If you asked me as a child what my favourite cuisine was, my answer would have been Italian. I still adore pizza and pasta. I remember when dining out used to be all about enjoying simple, honest food. This was particularly so when we frequented our local Italian restaurants, which dished up home-cooked favourites free from the garnishings, ellusive dish names and ambiguous menus that seem to be so popular today.

Summer Vibes at The Newport




What's an Aussie summer without a day spent by the beach? Located in the northern suburbs, a little further away from Sydney's more well-trodden beaches, The Newport is a lively place to spend a long summer afternoon. 

Ms. G's, Potts Point



The outer facade of Ms. G's, lit by glowing red neon lights, exudes a sense of playfulness and mystery. It's enough to make you instantly want to enter and join in on the fun.

Old Town on Barangaroo


With the opening of the new tunnel connecting Wynyard to Barangaroo, it's now a whole lot easier to access Sydney's newest harbourside precinct. The dining and retail portion of the area is marketed as 'The Streets of Barangaroo', and walking through the clean, modern streets gives rise to the exciting feeling of exploring a newly developed community.

Rell's Kitchen, Randwick


With the Superfood craze that is becoming ever popular in today's dining scene, I have to admit that I had never tried Acai before visiting this cute little Randwick cafe. 

Japchae


I adore noodles. Whether it be rice noodles, egg noodles, soba, vermicelli or udon, in a soup, salad or stir fry, give me a bowl of them and I will be a happy girl. But, despite my deep love for noodles, the bizarre reality is that we don't eat them at home anywhere near as often as I'd like to. All that is about to change; I have finally found the perfect noodle recipe that is quick, easy and relatively fail-safe. 

Pancakes Galore at Hale & Hearty, Waterloo


If you were to recognise Hale & Hearty by just one dish, it would be their pancakes. This Waterloo café is infatuating diners everywhere with its thick, majestic pancake towers, which are as Insta-worthy and aesthetic as they are good for you.

Hot Pot at iPot, Darling Harbour


The first thing that you will notice at iPot is the sauce station. Filled with more than 24 different sauces, this is the ultimate DIY experience that is sure to both excite and overwhelm you. 

Bang Tang, Potts Point


Sometimes even the most unnoticeable places can gift you with surprises. Bang Tang is a case in point. It's a little hole in the wall café that delivers Asian fusion food with a bang.

The Henson, Marrickville


I remember going to pubs as a child and ordering classic pub grub. Steak and chips, chicken schnitzel and lasagne were some of my all time favourites. The Henson is not one of those traditional pubs. 

Lunching at Caffe Dante, Sydney CBD


Hands up if you have been out and about shopping, and suddenly realise you're starving and it's way past lunchtime? You find yourself getting hangry while wandering around to find somewhere to stop, then resort to an underwhelming eatery that was most convenient because, really, you just needed to satisfy your stomach. It's a situation I can say I have faced a few times, partly due to a lack of planning. But, fear no more, I may have found the perfect place to stop for a mid-shop break in the city. 

Washoku Lovers | Menya Mappen, Oiden + Dera-uma


Mappen, Dera-uma and Oiden are three sister eateries well known among those with a hankering for cheap Japanese food. They're prime examples of the fact that one can eat well on the cheap, without compromising quality or size. If you are of the belief that it's hard to find a delicious, satisfying hot meal for under $10 in the Sydney CBD, then you might want to think again. 

84 Union Street, Pyrmont

Bar

Located just a stone's throw away from the bustle of Darling Harbour, 84 Union Street occupies the space where the old Hog's Breath Café used to be, before it was transformed late last year. The space is busy on a Friday night, full of people easing their way into the weekend.

Junk Lounge, The Rocks

Bar

Lounge. The very word conjures images of relaxation, bliss and comfort. A place where you can sit back, drink in hand, and let time pass by. Named after the Chinese sailing ships, called 'Junks', Junk Lounge is inspired by the concept of a voyage and draws upon influences from all over Asia.

Feasting on Bistecca alla Fiorentina | Trattoria Mario, Florence


If there was one thing I was dying to do on our trip to Italy, it was to dine at a noisy, authentic, family-style Trattoria. There are a few different types of eateries in Italy: the trattoria, a casual, modest and often family-run eatery, the more formal risorante, and the rustic ostaria. Trattoria Mario is an iconic Florentine trattoria known for serving some of the best Bistecca in the city. 

Tea Time! | The Tea Room QVB


Going to high tea always makes me feel somewhat glamorous. It's not every day you get to go to a hotel or decorated tea room to eat delicate cakes off tiered stands and sip tea from fine china. As a child I'd always marvel at the finesse of the beautiful petit fours and rejoice at the thought of eating sandwiches that were both and crustless and filled with something that wasn't vegemite or ham and cheese.

Getting our BBQ on at Rengaya, North Sydney

BBQ

Fire. It's perhaps the most primitive form of cooking there is. Watching flames dance around and cook your food - whether it be meat on the barbeque, dough in a woodfired pizza oven or a even simple toasted marshmallow - is always enticing and exciting.

Eating in colour at NOPI, London


Yottam Ottolenghi is famous for his wholesome, Mediterranean-style cooking and championing of the humble vegetable. Before our visit to London, which was one leg of our recent European family holiday, I'd never had a chance to cook or sample any of his recipes. Having heard of the buzz around his cookbooks and restaurants, I knew that a visit to one of his London outlets would be one to remember.

Learning the Art of Coffee at Haven, Surry Hills


I have to admit, I was never really a coffee person. While some have a ritual cup to wake them up in the morning, and others crave it simply for the taste, I was indifferent - attracted to only the smell of coffee, as opposed to the drink itself. That all changed when I visited Haven.

Ramen Rules at Manpuku, Kingsford


A good bowl of ramen is like a piece of art. Every element adds something unique to the finished piece - the noodles, broth, toppings - and all work together in harmony. Creating the perfect ramen is a laborious labour of love, and there is no shortage of contenders for the title of the best in Sydney.

Osaka Bar, Potts Point

While Tokyo may be the most famous Japanese city among tourists, Osaka is just as popular when it comes to Japanese food. Named by some as the culinary capital of Japan - and perhaps even the world – it is home to unique, eye-catching, mouth-watering fare that arguably rivals that of any other Japanese city.

When in Rome


Europe may well be the most romanticised travel destination in the world. Earlier this year, we travelled there for the very first time, our journey spanning just under a month and taking us to the tourist hot-spots of Italy, France and the UK. We began in central Italy, starting in Rome, before working our way north to Paris. From there, it was an exciting train ride to London, finished off with a stopover in Singapore on the way home.


First stop: Roma. The old, cobblestone streets were every bit as rustic and beautiful as we’d imagined. Narrow alleyways are lined with Fiats parked next to each other like sardines, shadowed by cream facades decorated with shuttered screens and ageing balconies. 

Hotel Centennial, Woollahra


I imagine that if the atmosphere of the Hamptons - that luxe US vacation destination - was to be channeled into a restaurant, then it would resemble Hotel Centennial. Now I could be wrong (I've never actually been to the Hamptons), but it exudes that same beach-side elegance that is so frequented in popular culture.

Sushi bonanza at Sushi Train, Cremorne

There's something just so theatrical about sitting at a sushi train and watching all those plates of delicate, artfully crafted sushi trundle past your wondrous eyes. The sushi trains I remember when I was younger were more about the experience rather than the ambience, but it looks like they've undergone a contemporary makeover of late.

Delisse Market Cafe, Sydney CBD


French marketplaces are scenes of wonder and awe for many food lovers. There's an abundance of fresh produce and luscious baked goods everywhere you look, and a lively atmosphere of hustle and bustle unlike no other. In my opinion, it's market food that I most look forward to when visiting any market. Delisse is a little taste of the French marketplace in the form of a cafe in Sydney's CBD.

An easy recipe for Portuguese Custard Tarts


There is nothing quite like the scorched top of a freshly baked Portuguese Tart. The contrast of the irregular, blackened spots which stand out against the golden, gleaming baked custard is so alluring, as is the shattering crunch that sounds upon biting into the crispy, multi-layered pastry. 

Tim Ho Wan, Burwood


When Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan opened it’s very first Sydney restaurant in Chatswood early last year, dim sum fans came from far and wide to get a taste of those revered dumplings and that famous bbq pork bun.

Izakaya Samurai, Neutral Bay


It used to seem to me that Japanese restaurants fell into either the higher-priced, contemporary dining category (Sokyo and Sake come to mind) or were fast, cheap eateries which offered sushi trains and bento boxes.

Hopetoun Tea Rooms, Melbourne


Melbourne is infamous for its coffee culture and hipster laneways, where one can spend hours wandering and eating away to their hearts content. It’s no wonder so many Sydneysiders travel over when they’re in need of a short getaway without leaving the comfort of suburbia.

While the debate of whether Sydney or Melbourne has the better coffee remains at large, it may seem as if the traditional cup of tea has lost its humble appeal. That’s most certainly not the case at Hopetoun Tea Rooms.


Dera-Uma, Sydney CBD

The term ‘comfort food’ means different things to different people. Some might immediately think of a steaming stew or an oozy, melted cheese toastie. For me, comfort food almost always involves rice.

Café Del Mar, Darling Harbour


I always look forward to the Aussie summer because it means barbecue feasts, long days at the beach, and, of course, lots and lots of seafood. And what better place to celebrate summer than at a restaurant and bar aptly named Café del Mar, the name of which means café of the sea!