Assembly Bar, Sydney

Assembly Bar has two sides - a dark and dingey bar on the inside and green, fake grass with plastic plant walls and doors as tables in a picnic style operation on the outside. It caters for a quiet chat outside in the fake picnic environment or a flirty date inside in trendy dark corners with couches.

I caught up with an old mentor of mine which always helps when you have good company. We drank glasses of Holy Trinity Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre which was very easy to drink over old stories and memories over the ten years that we've known each other.

For a change, I ate at Assembly with delicious sliders and a side of fries.  The sliders ($5) each varied in pork burgers, vegetarian (tomato, cheese) and the crumbed lamb. They were quick, easy, bites to eat. A great snack.

The chips are what you expect at a bar, the truffle aioli was very watery. When I first came here, it was beautifully thick and full of truffle flavour. A bit disappointing but it didn't stop me from devouring the chips.

I'm a regular here, having regular chats to the barman who is studying engineering and often talks about the challenges of getting an internship.

Prices: Sliders were $5 each, chips were $9 from memory

Location: Bottom of Regent Place aka under KFC on George st near Town Hall. 488 Kent St, Sydney