Top Venues for 2019

Hello 2019! What a delicious year it has been as I reflect on all my food experiences this year. Here are some of the venues that have evoked the most food feelings from myself and where time permits - I will have to revisit. I recommend all venues on my list below.

8. Casual Eats 
One of the biggest surprises was this vegetarian burger from Niko's Kitchen in Dulwich Hill where they also have delicious gyros, halloumi fries and burgers. I also really enjoyed the crispy chicken from VN City in Strathfield that also has delicious pho. Also, local gem in Ultimo, Local Mbassy delivered a brunch that is unforgettable. 

Niko's Kitchen

7. Indian Eats
My mouth waters when I think about the delicious fine dining at Urban Tadka which is located in Terrey Hills. I also really loved the food at Manjit's at the Wharf at King St Wharf which never disappoints.

Urban Tadka

6. Italian Eats
I also had the pleasure of eating some really delicious, hearty Italian meals in 2019. It was the gnocchi and dessert at Granata's in Pemulwuy that won my heart over. The modern Italian innovations at Cucina Espresso in Concord were absolute perfection. I also really enjoyed the upmarket Modern Italian in Roseville at Mangiasti? and the wood fired pizzas at Wood and Smoke in Darlinghurst along with their delicious cocktails were hard to resist.

Cucina Espresso

5. Regional Highlights - South Coast
I also had the pleasure of dining at some of the best venues in NSW down the South Coast in the Shoalhaven region. Jim Wild's oysters was the venue that converted me to be a oyster fan in Greenwell Point. Pelican Rocks Cafe, also in Greenwell Point has won best fish and chips in Australia and I really enjoyed their down to earth food and then there was Silo's Estate which has amazing wine and food. All of this was while I was checking out the South Coast Food and Wines festival.

View at Jim Wilds' Oysters

4. Modern Fusions
I also really enjoyed the upmarket Japanese Eatery Toshiya in Cremorne with their delicious Japanese modern fusion dishes mixed in with traditional Japanese flavours.  I also thoroughly enjoyed Soi 25 in Darlinghurst which serves up delicious Khao Soi and Modern Thai. I also enjoyed the intimate setting at 1892 Espresso and Wine Bar  and European food in Rozelle.

Toshiya Restaurant

Soi 25

3. Macleay St Bistro
Now you will recognise Macleay st bistro in Potts Point which has previously made my top venues before but it's hard to resist those rich french flavours and I always fall in love with their onion souffle. 

2. Plage Restaurant
There's also Plage Restaurant which is one of my all time favourite restaurants - so much that I held a private function with 30 of my closest friends there who agreed - it was AMAZING Modern French-Japanese food. Plage Restaurant is located in Cremorne. Plage Restaurant has consistently been in my top venues.

Plage Restaurant

1. Top Gong - Restaurant No.5
The venue that I kept on thinking about this year was Restaurant No.5 located in Alexandria. It was the very thought-out Asian Fusion Flavours with Modern Australian twists that sparked so much joy with my food feelings. This takes my top gong for 2019 - a delicious year.

Restaurant No.5

Eat Fuh, Chatswood

There are people who travel to Marrickville to eat at Eat Fuh. I don't venture out to Marrickville much so when I found out another one had opened up in Chatswood and is closer to my home - I decided to check it out. 

Taste on the Rocks, Miller's Point, Sydney

4/5 I recently checked out new restaurant Taste on the Rocks which is located in Miller's point. I walk up the stairs to level 1 where Taste on the Rocks is located. I am joined by a group of my fellow foodies which is always fun. Over the years I've really enjoyed getting to know my foodie friends. We are sitting in a round table which is perfect for a Chinese Banquet.

Massaya, Strathfield South

4/5

Mr Weekend Food Escapes has driven past Massaya a number of times but has yet to dine there. On a quiet Saturday, we head there for lunch and while I am mildly distracted by all the fast food that surrounds the Massaya restaurant, I am looking for a nicer experience this Saturday. Massaya is part Modern Australian in menu and part Lebanese cuisine.

Cha Ball, Burwood

Cha Ball in Burwood serves up fluffy souffle pancakes and refreshing drinks. Cha Ball is located in back alley of Burray Place Arcade. I've seen so many delicious looking photos on instagram so I'm eager to see how they look in person.

VN City, Strathfield

I recently checked out VN City which is a new venue on the main strip of Strathfield.  VN City brings the tasty authentic Vietnamese food I have been craving! While I do enjoy some Modern Vietnamese or Fusion Vietnamese, there are times where I just crave some authentic Vietnamese food.

The Eight, Haymarket

It's been some time since I've been to yum cha but over the years I now know some of the ins and outs of what to do and what not to do. For example, at the Eight in Haymarket, you should get there a bit before 11am on the weekend to ensure you get a table and a head start on the trolleys. After this time, it becomes very challenging to get a table and the food is slower to get around in the trolleys. I can completely relate to some of the reviews about the slower customer service in the peak yum cha hours on the weekend.

Madang Korean BBQ, Sydney

Mr Weekend Food Escapes is a big Korean BBQ fan. While this institution has been around for yonks, it's our first time at Madang Korean BBQ. We are invited here as part of a Hungry Diner event. Tonight, it's a big group event so there's a lot of fun mixed with some chaos.

Hunter and Barrell, Cockle Bay Wharf

Summer is now upon us and here come the social events in December! I've been to Hunter and Barrell a number of times for work events, social events and plenty of foodie events. Hunter and Barrell is located on Cockle Bay Wharf and has a new Elements menu. I'm here on a Thursday night and it's a full house.

La Favola, Newtown

La Favola is located on King St Newtown and its shop front is unassuming. It's mostly by word of mouth where people will know about the quality of food at La Favola. On this particular day, I end up sitting outside to enjoy the people watching and numerous people stop and comment on how great the food looks.

Urban Tadka, Terrey Hills

Urban Tadka is well known in the foodie groups. It's Indian Fine Dining at its finest. I had the pleasure of visiting Urban Tadka last year and head back to check out their new menu recently. Mr Weekend Food Escapes loves Indian cuisine. 

Dragonboat Restaurant, Darling Harbour

It's a weeknight where I head to Dragonboat restaurant to meet a group of foodie pals. It's a venue that I've never been to before but tonight we will be feasting on a banquet.

Soi 25 Thai Restaurant and Bar, Darlinghurst

Mr Weekend Food Escapes are big fans of Thai food. After reading about new restaurant Sol 25 Thai Restaurant and Bar from one of my fellow foodie friends and their upmarket quality, I was looking forward to a slice of the good life.

Saimai Thai I M, Parramatta

It's been some time since I've had dinner in Church St but on this particular night, I head to Saimai Thai I M. Saimai Thai is located on the Northern end of Church st, past the park.

Beak and Sons Gourmet Meats

Good food, good times and good meat. I recently got the opportunity to review Beak and Sons Gourmet Meats. For context, Mr Weekend Food Escapes is a big meat eater and loves a good BBQ. I can be a bit picky about what meat I eat on the other hand.

Arthur's Pizza, Maroubra

This is a delayed blogpost. 3.5/5

It's been some time since I've been to Maroubra but I head here for a nice walk on the beach and lunch with my foodie friends and Mr Weekend Food Escapes. Arthur's Pizza is a stone's throw away from Maroubra beach but makes for a good stop if you are looking for a hearty meal.

Harbour Bar and Kitchen, Darling Harbour

3/5. I have walked past Harbour Bar and Kitchen a few times but this is my first visit. I never really knew how beautiful the view was from the balcony from Harbour Bar and Kitchen. I think there's a lot of potential with the food but unfortunately there were parts of my platter that were overcooked.

Delisse, Parramatta

3.5/5

Delisse has a number of venues across Sydney including one right near my work in Wynyard. I recently find out they have opened up in Westfield Parramatta. While there are menu similarities, the Delisse in Parramatta offers up Crepes.

Huxtaburger. Redfern

3.5/5

Huxtaburger recently celebrated it's first birthday. I head there for some burgs with Mr Weekend Food Escapes and some of my foodie friends. The staff tell me that they have revamped their menu and made alternations following feedback from their customers.

Meat District and Co, King St Wharf

It's warmer weather which is perfect for drinking cocktails by King St Wharf. Did you know Meat and District co have cocktail making classes? I pick up my gal friend and we join a cocktail making class with gorgeous views.

East Ocean, Haymarket

Did you know that East Ocean has had a significant renovation and are now under new management? I check it out recently with my foodie friend Jason and my hubby for dinner. So how was my experience?

Blackbird Cafe, Cockle Bay Wharf Part 3

It's been about a year since I've been to Blackbird Cafe which is located on Cocklebay Wharf.  I have always been lucky and been seated outside where I've had a nice view of the water of cocklebay wharf.

Check out Part 1 and 2 of my Cockle Bay Wharf Food Safari here. 

Nick's Seafood Cocklebay Bay Wharf Foodie Crawl Part 2

Did you catch part one of my foodie safari? Part two starts off at Nick's Seafood on Cockle Bay Wharf. We are treated to some of the canapes that they serve when they cater to big groups or weddings. I am reminded how beautiful Cockle Bay Wharf is and the great venues in this area.

Macleay St Bistro, Potts Point

From my instagram WeekendFoodEscapes

From Matt's photography

Macleay St Bistro is in it's 37th year of operations and has long term standing customers. I have been to Macleay St Bistro twice last year and I am eager to return again for another delicious meal. Macleay St Bistro is perfection and is firmly locked in my food memory bank. So I have high expectations as it's my third visit.

Hunter and Barrel, Cockle Bay Wharf foodie crawl Part 1

I have had a long day and look forward to letting my hair down by going on a food safari @ Cockle Bay Wharf. I head to Hunter and Barrel for the first stop. It's time for a foodie escape.

Mangiasti?, Roseville

Mangiasti, an Italian restaurant is located in Roseville Chase. I head here on a weeknight along with some foodies to check out the food at Mangiasti which is best described as Modern Italian.

Taste of Macao until 14 Nov, House of Tong, North Ryde

I was lucky to be treated to a preview of the Taste of Macao Food Festival with highly acclaimed chef Palmira Pena (Pictured above). Macanese cuisine is quite rare to find in Sydney, until 14th November, you can find Macanese food at House of Tong Restaurant in North Ryde and District 8 in Canley Vale.

Toco Fresh, Concord

Toco Fresh is located in the main strip of Concord. Matt and I head to Toco Fresh on this particular Sunday. Concord is full of choices for cafes so it's nice to try a different venues. It's a rainy day so unfortunately we head inside, while the season is Spring, I'm not sure if the weather realises this.

Mille Uno, Parramatta

I grew up in the Parramatta area and noticed a change on the main strip of Church St. Mille Uno has opened up - a new Italian Eatery as a new venue, new owners, new menu and chefs from the former restaurant Liana's.  The fit out is modern and new.

Burgerpalooza, Part 3 - Bar Luca

This Part 3 of Burgerpalooza festival in Parramatta that was held on 21st and 22nd September 2019.  The last burger that I tried was from Bar Luca. Bar Luca has for many years had the reputation for having the best burger in Sydney for their "Blame Canada".  They were at the recent Burgerpalooza with another burger.

Burgerpalooza, Parramatta Part 2 - Burger Head

Have you seen part 1 of my Burgerpalooza? Matt eyes off Burger Head as our next stop at the Burger Festival in Parramatta that was held 21/22 September 2019. Matt has been to Burger Head once before when he was in the Penrith area.

Burgerpalooza, Parramatta Part 1

Spring weather came out for the Burgerpalooza festival in Parramatta that was held on 21st and 22nd September 2019. The Burgerpalooza festival has been held four years in a row. This is my first though!

Butcher and Farmer, Meadowbank

I've been part of the Food Critics and Bloggers Association (FCBA) for a number of years and so when their 4th year anniversary came up - I was excited to celebrate with the fellow community at venue Butcher and Farmer in Meadowbank. 

South Coast Food and Wine Festival, Berry

The inaugural South Coast Food and Wine Festival was held at the Berry showgrounds on 15-17 September including a trade day and two days for the general public to enjoy.

Boilmaker's Dinner at All Hands Brewing House, Kings St Wharf, Sydney

Husband and I recently attended a special event at The All Hands Brewing House. It was called the Boilmaker Dinner on the 18th September 2019 which had a 4 course meal which was paired with beers and whiskey. Sounds good? Let me tell you more.

Thai Break, Macquarie Park

This is a delayed blog post.

My go to Thai at Macquarie Centre is Klao Pla but I thought I'd try something different for a change. Husband and I head to Thai Break for a quick dinner. 

Granata's, Pemulwuy

 I've never been to Granata's before and I've never heard of the suburb Pemulwuy before. Although after posting photos on instagram, several friends reached out saying they have been to Granata's before with recommendation. Granata's is an Italian restaurant full of the family recipes including Grandma's secret recipes. How intriguing! 

Radley's, Sydney Metcentre

Radley's has opened up in Sydney Metcentre for over a year now. It's become a bit of a go-to for some of the folks in my office for lunch or after work drinks. It's been some time since I've come back but I head for some lunch with a friend who also works nearby.

Mapo Charcoal BBQ, West Ryde

3.5/5

There are many Korean BBQ restaurants in West Ryde and nearby suburb Eastwood. I have often gone to Stoneage and the Barn several times before so I thought I'd check out Mapo Charcoal BBQ for the first time for something different.

New Star Kebab, Auburn

Auburn has significantly changed over the years. My family often come back to New Star Kebab for a meal over the years. New Star Kebab is an institution in Auburn. On the surface, it just looks like any other kebab shop but the locals know it's a tasty venue for a good price.

Chinese Noodle Restaurant, Haymarket Sydney

Chinese Noodle Restaurant is located in China town Sydney and has a steady flow of customers as I arrive on this Sunday at approximately 12pm. This is a delayed blogpost.