Food Safari Hunter Valley

 

To make the most of my time in the Hunter Valley, I recently went on a Dining Safari Experience. This was a specially curated food tour that takes you to 5 different venues where you can taste food with a matching wine or other drink.

The Ambassador Training Restaurant, Ryde (Buffet night)

 

Life has been busy between work, my child starting preschool and left field things that life throws at you! As a belated mini celebration, I head back to the Ambassador Restaurant which is a training restaurant for the Corden Bleu School. 

You need to book ahead as there are set dates in which the schools open up to the public to book. I booked Friday 13th June for dinner. 

The Ambassador Restaurant, Ryde

 

I've often driven past the Ambassador Training Restaurant which is located within the Ryde TAFE at the Le Corden Bleu school. The bookings availability appears to be mostly mid-week slots, some at dinner time and some at lunch time. Just after Valentines Day, I manage to get a slot on a Monday night. It's a three course meal for $44, plus any drinks you order. I think that's quite good value and you are also supporting trainee chefs and staff. 

The Dining and Co, Mascot

 

Justin Park, ex-Executive chef at Quay has opened up his fourth cafe - Dining and Co in Mascot / Alexandria. I’ve been to the original venue of Dining and Co in North Ryde so I know i'm in for a good experience.

Izakaya Umina, Cremorne

Izakaya Umina is located in Cremorne. It has a simple shop front so you may not realise this hidden gem exists. While the name “Izakaya Umina” sounds Japanese, the restaurant is best described as Modern Japanese with a splash of French technique. Owner and Head chef Tomo is Japanese but is trained in French cooking. I love this combination.

The Winston, Winston Hills

Happy Sunday! It’s a hot and sunny day and I am looking forward to a relaxing lunch. The Winston has recently been renovated and I’m keen to check it out.

Tara Sushi, Surry Hills

Tara Sushi is located in Surry Hills and is famous for their all you can eat for $39 (cash, card fee applies otherwise). You can choose unlimited plates of sushi, order hot menu items and you have a choice of one sashimi plate and one dessert plate.

ONYX Grill, Burwood

 

ONYX Grill in located in Burwood and your go to place for a steak dinner followed up a roof top drink. I head here with some friends for a catch up.

Angelo’s, Cabarita

 

Angelo's in Cabarita has veiling a new menu in October - Modern Australian with a fusion of flavours. I was lucky to get a preview of this recently. 

Royal Oak, Balmain

Today, I want to share my experience at the Royal Oak in Balmain. Mr Weekend Food Escapes wanted a Sunday Roast so we set out to see what the Royal Oak had to offer. 

It's been so cold in the Sydney winter. I hope this warms you up. 

Sonora Mexican, Potts Point

Sonora can be best described as Modern Mexican with a twist of fine dining and creativity from new Head Chef and Owner Roy McVeigh. Sonora in Potts Point is under new management. I check out their new tasting menu - $85 per head which is an absolute steal in today's environment.

Pizza Bros, Imperial Hotel Erskineville, Erskineville

Pizza Bros is on the roof top of the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville. I check out this venue for an early lunch on a weekend to check out the social media hype on these famous pizzas. They live up to it! Read on for more.

Margan Wine and Restaurant, Broke Fordwich, Hunter Valley

 

Margan Wine and Restaurant holds a dear place in my heart. First of all, they are an award winning winery and restaurant. Secondly, they are leaders in sustainability and environmental operations. Thirdly, the staff are amazing, friendly and helpful.

It's been a few years since 2014 since I've last been to Margan Wine and Restaurant but I've had such fond memories of my last experience. For an anniversary celebration, we decide to revisit Margan's see what's changed.

La Petite Cafe, Birkenhead Point

 

It's a rainy day and I decide to have a cafe lunch, followed by a stroll at Birkenhead shops. On this particular day, I decide to visit La Petite Cafe. La Petite Cafe has an entrance via the food court. 

Harvest Buffet, The Star - A revisit

 

The Harvest Buffet is a popular buffet at The Star Casino. I am told to make a reservation before hand which I'm glad I did as it's incredibly popular. 

I decide to visit on a Saturday for lunch (12pm-3pm) which costs $69.90 for an adult. It's $39.90 for a child aged 5-12 years old. The lunch on the weekend has a smaller selection of seafood versus the "premium" buffet for dinner.

Mamak, A price comparison between 2015 and 2023.

Hello 2023.  One of my creature comforts in this world is Mamak. Why? Because the menu never changes and the food is quite consistent. It's actually been about 2 years since I last went to Mamak. So is it still consistent and  delightful?

Marra Bar and Grill, Coogee Bay Hotel

The Coogee Bay Hotel is located straight across the road from the beautiful Coogee Beach. The Coogee Bay Hotel has a number of spaces including a casual sports bar area, outdoor garden and an indoor restaurant called Marra Bar and Grill. I recently went on a lunch date with my new bae to check it all out as we were going to go to the beach.

Get Away - Thirroul, Heart and Soul Retreat

This blog post was written by Melle.

I recently had a get away in Thirroul and attended the Heart and Soul Retreat. I can't wait - the weekend starts with a South Sailor seafood platter for 2, then Thirroul beach, and Heart and Soul Retreat for some yoga, shooting hoops, healthy eating and some unexpected jigsaw puzzling!

Photo above is the South Sailor Thirroul cold section of the platter: spicy tuna tacos (really yum!), salmon rolls, kingfish ceviche with sesame snaps, and salmon and apple sashimi. Fresh seafood.

Sho City, Lane Cove

I recently visited Sho City which is a new Japanese Restaurant in Lane Cove. It's located upstairs in the shopping strip of Lane Cove and has seating inside and outside.  Sho City is probably best described as modern Japanese.   From the outside, I was unsure whether this was a casual eatery or a upmarket venue. I would say Sho City is more upmarket. So upon reflection, perhaps not the best venue if you have a toddler (like mine who won't sit still) but I did see other families with older children. 

The Eight, Haymarket - A revisit post covid

The Eight is located on top of Market City in the middle of Chinatown. Since the pandemic, one of the other major competing Yum Cha houses Marigold has closed down. So I was unsure about the impact on the Eight given we still have high covid numbers and Marigold has closed down.