Ampersand, Oxford St, Paddington
China Doll’s Asian fine fare is a little higher in expense, but it offers some of the best food in Sydney.
The modern cocktail menu features ingredients like yuzu, honey, Chinese five-spice and black sesame, while the Little China Girl is a sweet, strawberryrose dream, with a not-so-dreamy price of NZ$19.80.
It has a vast main menu as well as small plates, and the friendly staff seem happy to order half-portions.
The popular, NZ$4.70-a-pop scallops are recommended - tender, melt in your mouth morsels with delicate, ginger flavours, you would be hard pressed finding scallops to beat these. The Shu Mai dumpling filling isn’t over-processed, with identifiable and tasty pieces of pork, prawn, scallop and shiitake (NZ$20.80 for four).
The fried tofu dish comes as crispy pillows of silky bean curd, with fivespice salt ticking all the flavour boxes. It could leave even the most carnivorous customer salivating (NZ$12.50).
The vibe was…
Upmarket, without being pretentious. Sit outside for a sea breeze and stunning view of the city skyline.
If you go…
A winding staircase, mismatched furniture and wall-to-wall, ceiling-tofloor books make this place a magical, bookworm’s paradise.
There are cosy nooks and crannies to choose from, or a larger tables for sharing. It smells of old books, fresh flowers, and cooking breakfast. It seemed too early for the tempting risotto with pan-fried halloumi, spinach puree and cherry tomatoes.
So instead it was eggs on ciabatta (NZ$10.40) with extras - creamy, pan fried halloumi, peppery roasted tomato, and avocado - most of which cost NZ$4.20 each.
There are bacon and salmon options too. To call these eggs scrambled would be an injustice: they are expertly whipped with sunshine yellow folds like layers in a croissant. Top it off with a pretty-as-a-picture lavender cake and one of the eatery’s fresh, homemade juices of apple, celery, spinach and lemon. Great food, very reasonably priced, in a unique setting.
Peaceful, homely,
The vibe was…
quirky.
If you go…
Don’t pick the first table you see, go for a wander.
The Bach Eatery, King St, Newtown
Owned by a New Zealand couple, this cosy establishment serves up smells, sights and sounds inspired by the Kiwi bach - a bach owned by an extremely talented chef, mind you. There’s an impressive selection of NZ wine and beer, but the berry-infused rum, lime, mint and L&P cocktail is a mix I will be borrowing this summer.
The paua arancini with Kaitaia Fire mayo (NZ$8.30) was a deliciously mild and unique way to use the seafood, and the Thirlmere chicken liver pate, with sweet beetroot relish and toasted bread, was moreish. The pappardelle is the eatery’s most celebrated dish, with wild mushroom ragout, a generous covering of parmesan snow, and a slow cooked egg atop with tongs to stir through (NZ$25).
Full to the brim, I ordered the dessert to-go, a decadent Jelly Tipinspired white chocolate mousse with a raspberry centre and coating of soft, milk chocolate.
The vibe was… If you go…
Homely, a taste of Kiwi hospitality.
Take a moment to nosy around the New Zealand decor.
Three Blue Ducks, Dunning Avenue, Rosebery
This transformed industrial warehouse with exposed brick, hanging lights, and plants is a little further out out the city, 20 minutes or so. But it’s worth the glimpse into a Saturday lunch regular for Sydneysiders.
The free-range chicken wings with lemon and fermented chili sauce are very popular ($14) but warning - these huge wings come rustic-style with some feathers still intact. The seafood curry is a flavoursome bounty of fresh mussels, clams, salmon and white fish with brown rice and topped with fresh cucumber ribbons, herbs and chili (NZ$32.25). Another signature dish is the ‘‘charred occy’’ ($29.15) - thick, tender octopus tentacles with charred corn, jalapenos, mixed leaves and zesty grapefruit. There’s no skimping on portion sizes here.
Friendly, trendy, man-buns and beards aplenty.
Check out the surrounding designer homeware shops before heading back to the city.
The vibe was… If you go… More information
Visit Sydney.com.
Getting there
Air New Zealand flies direct to Sydney with seats to suit from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. See Airnewzealand.co.nz.
The writer travelled courtesy of Destination New South Wales.