Barrio Chino; A new hot and cheap Mexican restaurant in Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross. Don’t miss the quesadillas, ceviche, the meaty albondigas, a huge range of tacos and the best selection of tequilas and margaritas outside Mexico. 28 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross T 02 8021 9817
Toko; this popular Japanese restaurant in Surry Hills is crushed every night but plenty of room at lunch for a light interesting meal. Superbly fresh sashimi and sushi and the lacquered eggplant is to die for. 490 Crown St, Surry Hills t 02 9357 6100
Westfield’s new shopping centre, opposite David Jones in Pitt St brings glamour back to inner city shopping. Shop till you drop with every luxury label positioning a glitzy store there. Favourite? The golden lacy glass storefront of Miu Miu.
Justin North’s stable of restaurants, cafes and eateries at Westfield. Becasse has moved there with a flowery new look, but I long for the former site with its bustling European feel. Turn instead to adjacent sister restaurant Quarter Twenty One where the food is more approachable and still unmistakably with Justin’s stamp. Also a great café and bakery, a wine store with fresh produce and a cooking school! Enter at Pitt St T 02 8064 7900
The Foodcourt on Westfield’s fourth floor takes top marks for the sheer quality of the food offered. Love the Din Tai Fung noodle bar for the soupy pork dumplings, Justin North’s Charlie & Co where you can get a wagyu burger with truffle essence and the Snag Shop with superb gourmet sausages in a play on hot dogs. Could eat here all day and into the evening too.
Take the ferry to Manly if it’s a sunny day. The promenade features a range of cafes and eating houses, all opposite that beautiful sandy surf beach. My pick? Manly Wine, brought to you by the same people as Gazebo and The Winery. 8-13 South Steyne, T 02 8966 9000
Escape to the Hunter Valley. Only a two hour drive on the freeway north, it’s a great place to spend a night or two and relax, drinking beautiful Semillon and Shiraz wines. The ‘don’t miss’ wineries are Tyrell’s, Mistletoe and Brokenwood. Eat at Muse, The Cellar and Esca Bimbadgen, all in Pokolbin.
Smith’s on Bayswater has just taken over where the Bayswater Brasserie left off. Excellent value with great steaks and generous side orders. Hasn’t quite hit the right atmosphere yet. 32 Bayswater rd, T 02 9357 2177
And enjoy all the atmosphere of the RWC without the crowds or trains that can’t or won’t get you there by watching the big screens at The London, a fashionable Paddington pub where the pizzas are thin crusted and authentic. 85 Underwood St,
Paddington T 02 9331 3200
Best breakfast in town is at Sonoma Bakery Café at the Fiveways in Paddington. The cured salmon platter with ricotta, avocado and mint and a softish boiled egg on their excellent sourdough ‘Miche’ toast is heaven. We even bought bread to pack in our cases so we can still enjoy it back home here! 214 Glenmore Rd, T 02 9331 3601
And an 11th reason; to visit my beautiful daughter who knows all the best places!
