An Old Favourite
Alternatively titled "Un Grand Classique"
For the many years we’ve visited or lived in Sydney, we’ve had a few trusty favourites where one can always rely on a great meal, relaxed atmosphere and memories of years gone by.
La Guillotine is almost an institution in the city, having survived buildings being demolished and rebuilt around it, and the many waves of culinary fads that sweep the city. But it’s always great for simple French classics done extremely well (we could even say, très, très bien!
1707 Wine Bar - Wine with a Difference
Visitors to London’s majestic and historic department stores will tell you of the quintisential experience of tea in the tea rooms of these grand establishments. Whether it’s Harrods, Liberty, or Fortnum and Mason, what could be better than a relaxing cup of tea?
Well, I’ll tell you. What could be better? Wine and cheese at 1707, the wine bar beneath Fortnum and Mason. 1707 is a oasis of calm compared to the at-times manic crowds above on Picadilly, and the crush of tourists that often frequent the aforementioned tea rooms.
The Contender for best restaurant in Napa
Yountville is one of the quintessential towns in Napa, full of beautifully landscaped properties, quaint period buildings and the best of wine-county experimentation. We found ourselves in Napa again, and had a few hours to kill between vineyards. Yountville itself has the odd good restaurant :-) OK, let’s be honest, The French Laundry - with three Michelin stars - is considered one of the temples of culinary vision in the US.
Amazing food under the Harbour Bridge
Can location improve an already good meal? Or can it save a disappointing one? Normally I don’t concern myself with weighty contemplation like this, but circumstances drew me back to one of the greatest dining locations on the planet - Cafe Sydney. Sitting in one of the most spectacular locations in which to eat tends to make the mind dizzy (or perhaps it was just the champagne?)
Cafe Sydney is location on the 5th floor - effectively the roof-top - of the Customs House building in Circular Quay.
Troika Bar - Melbourne
Troika Bar Troika is a great little bar in Melbourne, which as a city has pretty much perfected the “Great Little Bar” realm. Troika has a funky late Soviet Union vibe, with one-time fashionable Cyrillic lettering scattered throughout its signs and menus.
We had an awesome selection of drinks, I just wish I could remember their names. Many borrowed their “appellations” from famous characters and figures of the Russian and Soviet world.
Flavour Avalanche
The Terrace Restaurant employs a novel technique to attract its clientele. By situating itself at the bottom of an insane alpine decent (OK, snow and ice covered stairs), people literally avalanche the place when they lose their footing. OK, the stairs are entirely the responsibility of the local council, but The Terrace does a wonderful public service by having a huge picture window situated just there, so that as you climb to your feet and brush the snow and ice from yourself, your view is drawn inexorably to the warm golden glow of the dinning room, the laughing dry people, and the distinct lack of snow indoors.
Happy accidents do happen
Happy accidents do happen. One of our favourite pizza places in London was closed for renovation, which we only found out about when we walked up to the door, and saw the drop sheets, ladders and tins of paint. This left us a) perplexed, and b) desperate to find another good pizza place.
What does this have to do with a restaurant called Chez Gerard? Well, we saw it as we stood outside of another pizza place.
Sea-side speciality at Boardwalk
Thanks to a long distance drive, we had the chance to try Boardwalk twice in the space of a few days, and the constrasts were interesting.
First, the food. Boardwalk describes its offerings as Tapas, and they have several dishes that meet exactly that description - various prawn, chorizo and other dishes that all had firm grounding in the Spanish style. I’d say they were more tapas-style, as many of the dishes are asian influenced, and in the Spanish tradition, their servings are generous enough to qualify as “ración” :-).
Japan's best kept dining secret - J-Sekka Niseko
Niseko is a fantastic destination for skiers, as well as those who prefer the aprés style. This year the crowds were smaller that in previous years, which meant getting a last minute table at one of the greatest little restaurants in that part of Japan was possible.
J Sekka has grown to encompass everything from apartments to a masseur, but at heart it is still all about the food. This year, they’ve joined the Hokkaido regional restaurateurs in promoting local produce, and we enjoyed everything from wild venison to exquisitie chocolate creations (OK, chocolate might not be indigenous).
Tsubara Tsubara - Quick, Tasty and Fun
Just like this review, Tsubara Tsubara is a quick, tasty and fun little Japanese restaurant on the edge of Niseko as one follows the road east to Kutchan. As it’s in one of the satellite “pension” areas, it can be easier to get a table here for those who walk 5 minutes further than Niseko’s main road.
One of the highlights of this place is the fantastic “dial up the chilli” ordering system.