Sunday, June 14, 2015

Flavors of Sydney and Katoomba, Australia

Are you heading to Australia to try some of the must eat, cheap eats, best tasty restaurants?  Let me share some of the places we have visited that may also fill-up your hunger for Australian food.

Alexandria

The Grounds of Alexandria
Food: Seasonal greens 7.00aud (with olive oil and sea salt), David Blackmore full-blooded wagyu cheeseburger 21.00aud (with shed-made dill pickles, mustard seed onions, tomato chili jam & lettuce, all on a pretzel bun with fries), Citrus Fizz (zesty orange and lemon soda), Elderflower and Cucumber soda
Value: 42aud (1450 php)
Location: 7A, 2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015
Personal Preference: 9 out of 10, I loved the experience.


I've not seen this suggested in most of the blog or websites, but thanks again to Patty for sharing the experience. I've been looking for a themed restaurant and this one gave me a terrific feel of an upscale market place.

Looks like most of the locals, families and friends are willing to wait in a long line, so better contact them in email beforehand.  There are two formal places to try, The  CafĂ©  Roastery  (starts at 7:00am, kitchen  closes  at  3pm) and The  Potting  Shed (starts nearly 11:00am, closes at 10:00pm).  Food was served in less than 15 minutes, waiting will never be a question since you would enjoy anything that you see.
-The menu are clipped on board with mini-shovel.  
-The table is reserved with a small herb plant.
-The Potting Shed is within an indoor garden, with multitude hanging plants all over the place
-The best thing, our cheeseburger was served in bigger old shovel as a tray, which makes it very interesting.  The taste is much thick, of course its wagyu, thus its tasty.










Not just the food, but the ambiance in the washroom shows rustic and old English theme - wonderful designing.  Aside from the Potting Shed, there are mini-market place for fruits, nuts and flowers.





The Pitts



Jamie's Italian
Food: Rigatoni Carbonara 25.00aud (Crispy chunks of artisinal pancetta, sweet buttery leeks & a traditional carbonara sauce), Humble Green Salad 6.75aud (soft rounded and baby gem lettuce with a lemony yoghurt, tarragon and basil dressing)
Value: 32.00aud ( 1120php)
Location: 107 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Open: Monday-Saturday (11:30am-11pm), Sunday (11:30am-10pm)
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10

For the experience it is worth a try, to know the real taste of what he teaches in the television.






There is a bit sour smell near the front door, may be due to manual creation of pasta. But, as you move along inside, you can see some of Jamie's souvenirs, mugs, books, and forget about the smell. 

The atmosphere is a restaurant-bar, with selection of pasta, main course and salad to chose from.


Ippudo Sydney

Food: ramen and tamago with gyoza
Value:  25aud (875php)
Location: Westfield Sydney Level 5 (Shop 5021) 188 Pitt Street
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10


The Rocks/Circular Quay


Museum of Contemporary Arts Cafe

Food: bruschetta avocado and cherry tomatoes, chips
Value: 25.00 aud (875 php)
Atmosphere: White themed canteen. Can be crowded during lunch until afternoon snacks.  Good overlooking view for a low budget spot.
Location: 4F, 140 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney, Australia
Personal Preference: 8 out of 10


Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe

Food: Guylian hot chocolate special blend with praline 8.30aud, Banana caramel hot chocolate 8.30aud
Value: Expensive 16.60 aud (581 php)
Atmosphere: Alfresco experience with view of the Circular Quay. Good spot for people watching. 
Location: Circular Quay, Shop 10, Opera Quays, 3 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Schedule: Sun to Thurs 8am - 11pm, Fri & Sat 8am - Midnight
Link: http://www.guyliancafe.com.au/
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10


The Australian Heritage Hotel

Food: Mediterranean Pizza 17.90aud
(Pesto and tomato sauce, garlic chicken, kalamata olives, spanish onion, roasted eggplant and mozzarella), Pavlova Stack 12.50aud (pavlova, chantilly cream, seasonal fruits and mixed berries coulis)
Value:  30.40 aud (1,064 php)
Atmosphere: old hotel with stand-up bar.  It is on the upper and lower ground of the hotel corner Cumberland St.  Low light and hot if you stay inside.  Another winery and drinking spot of the locals.
Location: 100 Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000
Personal Preference: 8 out of 10





Town Hall/Near George St.

Jet Bar Cafe 
Food: Chicken penne (with casicum, Napolitana sauce, fresh basil) and lentil soup
Value:  35.00 aud (1,225 php)
Atmosphere: Cozy bar, dark with privacy and of course offer wine.
Location: Shop 55, Queen Victoria Building/455 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Schedule: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10

One of the saviours, especially when you are getting late dinner, since most of the food court (Westfield) and restaurant in QVB are closed.



Zumbo
Not to miss in QVB is Zumbarons - macaroons from Adriano Zumbo


Dela France
Food: omelette combo and cappuccino
Value: 16.00aud (560 php)
Location: George St corner Goulburn St.
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10

Expensive for a cafe, a cup and bread is much cheaper in Starbucks just around the corner on the next opposite street.


Harry's Cafe De Wheels

Food: Harry's Tiger (Our signature dish named after our founder Harry ‘Tiger’ Edwards. Chunky lean beef pie served with mushy peas, mash & gravy. Our house special.)
Value:  10.00 aud (350 php)
Location: Hay Street (near crn of George), Outside Entrance of Capitol Square Shopping Centre – Next to Paddy Maguires Pub, Haymarket, NSW 2000
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10


Mrs. Chan Restaurant

Food: pad thai, fish cake
Value: 17.00 aud (595 php)
Atmosphere: fast food with thai food
Location: behind the Charlie Chan bar (near Pensione Hotel, George St.)
Personal Preference: 6 out of 10


Oden House

Food: Sweet Soy Sauce Chicken Bento 9.80aud, handmade pork ball 2.00aud
Value: Affordable, 11.80 aud (413 php)
Atmosphere: Basic Japanese eatery which serves Chinese tasting food.
Location: Quay St, Haymarket NSW 2000
Personal Preference: 6 out of 10






Katoomba

Restaurant in Scenic World
Food: Carbonara, ministrole
Value: 21.00aud (735 php)
Atmosphere: Aside from the cafe, this restaurant is the only option at Scenic World. 
Location: Scenic World
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10
Will save you from the coldness.  They were able to provide the pasta and soup in hot temperature. They will also serve hot water upon request.


Thai Square - Katoomba

Food: chicken pad thai (16.90aud), mix vegetable tom yum (10.90aud)
Value: 27.80aud (973 php)
Atmosphere: Asian feel with plants on the wall (better if true plants).  
Location: 6 Katoomba St., Katoomba NSW 2780
Personal Preference: 8 out of 10


Station Bar Woodfired Pizza

Food: Linden (Napolitana with fresh buffalo mozzarella & pepperoni)
Atmosphere: Low light
Value: 18.00 aud (630 php)
Location: Katoomba Station
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10




Eating & Drinking at T1 International (After Customs)

Food: Egg and bacon roll with extra chicken
Value: 14.30 aud (500 php) 
Location: (After Customs)
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10

Thanks to my friends for a wonderful dinner of fun on my last night in Sydney!


Date Visited: 2015 June