One of my faves pre movie at the Orpheum up the road. The gnocchi is always amazing and the happy…read morehour is great. Amazing wine list and service is exceptional on all occasions. Great vibe and sensational tunes. Overall a great experience. A must visit

My new local....a bit on the fancy side to be a local but it works! In the back is the more sit…read moredown dining and in the front is a more bar-like atmosphere. Perfect! And besides tall tables, and some wooden round tables/barrels..you can also sit right at the bar and have a straight view into the bustle of the kitchen. Definitely a place to go to with friends, family, by yourself or pre-movie (Orpheum is a few doors down). Really friendly service by guys that know their wine. Not the cheapest of places and a fancy menu for Military Road, but the atmosphere pays off. Even better, they know serve brunch and the Parmesan Truffle Scrambled eggs are to die for. Everyone at the table had them but one who had the poached eggs on toast and said "i don't regret my decision." Well that was unanimous, none of us regretted our brunch decisions. They had awesome looking smoothies and a section for 'hair of the dog' which I enjoyed. I've mainly eaten off the bar menu and have enjoyed a healthy portion of cured meats and cheeses (delicious cheese), the pumpkin nachos (really, really good. try them if they are still on the menu), and the house-made gnocchi. Give it a try....just don't sit in my seat. :)

By definition, a larder means a room or a large cupboard that's used for storing food. And woah,…read moredoes this shop live up to its name. The Larder is a beautifully arranged store full of gorgeously packaged products that will have you wondering whether you're buying something just for its pretty jar or for the actual product itself. It does make for handy gift shopping though (whose mum doesn't love a block of French chocolate or Blue Mountains handcrafted coffee?). They stock a really great range of Australian and international cheeses, Hunter Valley olive oil by the litre, and top brands like Christine Manfield, Byron Bay Chilli Co and Toby's Estate. If you're on your way to a dinner party or BBQ and need to take along a token offering, grab a loaf of Brasserie sourdough or a cheese platter. The specialty grocer store opened after the owners returned from France and realised how difficult it is to find all the quality local and imported products you wanr in the one place. The staff are helpful and knowledgeable and clearly love what they're doing. There's plenty of parking available, just look for the green and white striped storefront.

Looking for some fine ingredients? Stop here…read more They've got some fine cheeses, breads, pastas, sauces, and more. Lots of artisan-produced foodstuffs from Australia and around the world. Good stuff for gifts to foodie people, or when you need to lay out bits and bites that need to impress. You can also buy quality olive oil in bulk - in their or your own containers - that is much closer to cheap bottled brands. Nice!

This bar is awesome, though it probably has a lot to do with it brewing its own beer. Okay, some…read morehome brews are pretty bad, but in the case with this bar they were nothing short of awesome. While it wasn't all that busy when I was here, that probably had a lot to do with when I actually visited (the late afternoon), however, the atmosphere was great, and the beers were nothing short of fantastic.

There is a sea of change in the once staid Neutral Bay where the only appropriate watering hole was…read morethe institution otherwise known as The Oaks. A local weekend night use to start at this institution followed by a local restaurant then return to the Oaks and when it closed the night owls would search for possum, the Pickled Possum that is. Grosvenor Street has opened with new bars White Hart, The Pony, Firefly and drinks can be enjoyed at Blue Plate, Eno Pizzeria and Garden Brassiere. Honey Rider gives a welcome alternative and on the evening we visit we are surprised to find that it is not jammed to the walls with people who only consider a quick drink then move on. The bar is beautifully fitted out with quirky bits and pieces to admire. This includs upside down hanging pots, a wine/cocktail list contained within an old Australian Ballet programmes and beautiful antique lights. Pizzas are available for a light snack We order a gin and tonic and sink back into our warm surroundings and find the music is so pleasant. It is nice finally to have somewhere for the local crowd to hang out that is gratefully absent of the pretentiously formal.

Well look-y there Mosman, you finally have yourself a small bar! And while the Tarzan-meets-Mowgli…read moreAmazonian decor threw me for a loop in the daylight, once the sun set and the safari lamps lit up, the entire vibe of the venue felt like one large Ngorongoro Crater camp out. With booze. The menu mimicked some of the African themes, and I can personally vouch for the wild boar sausages with onions and spicy mustard (sorry Pumba), but it was really the three pages of cocktails that seemed to be the focus of the evening. The wine list was also respectable. And even though I was overcharged (by two mojitos - mine were faux-jitos), it's still a spot I'd recommend swinging by if you're in the area. In fact, grab those two lost mojitos - tell them Laura already picked them up for you.

I walked past here about 5 times wondering why I couldn't find it - on the 6th time I saw the…read moreblacked out window with the message written on it (see photos). They had a fire, noooo!! Was so keen to try this bar out. The good news is they'll be re-opening just as soon as they can, at which point I'm making a bee line.

I used to frequent this place when we lived in Sydney and I am pleased to say it has continued to…read moredeliver good experience to this day. Many of the restaurants and bars that opened in this area shut down but not this one. Good choice of drinks including craft beers, cocktails and wine. Food here is also quite decent and they have a tapas menu plus other bigger items as well. Service is very friendly and quick and prices are also quite ok. The bar has a lovely ambience and well suited to a romantic evening out. I love coming here and will more than likely return :-)

Hey beauty when the mood gets you down, your bottom lip's near dragging on the ground...then get…read moreyourself down to Firefly and grab yourself a Splice of Heaven beer inspired by Australia's other favourite ice cream (and possibly Dave Dobbyn but I'm not sure what he tastes like). They also have a Holdin Hay Time beer, both by Moon Dog. What a delight for a Friday night after a tough day at work. Firefly is one of the original Sydney small bars, from back when we were still referring to them as Wine Bars (what dorks we were) and it has been consistently good, outliving places along this strip like White Hart and Blue Plate. The food is share style with generous servings and the drinks list is impressive. I recommend the salt and pepper squid, pork sliders, zucchini chips. They say you should get 3 plates for two people, 5 plates for 3. This formula will leave you uncomfortably full. You can book ahead and they do have time limits on the tables but we were over and nobody seemed to care so they obviously manage their system well. It can get hot inside in the warmer months so a table outside is recommended. Now if you excuse me I'm going to get back to singing the unofficial New Zealand anthem and reminiscing about those beers.

(Last visited May 9, 2023.) Hanging out in Sydney on the 2nd half of my honeymoon! My wife and I…read morejust completed the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb (expensive, but 100% worth it) so now it's time to get back to partying! So we walked north across the bridge into a district called Kirribilli after we found The Botanist on Yelp. Here's how it went! Atmosphere/Appearance: Set a little off the main strip downstairs from the bridge's main street is this gem perched right on the corner. It's so cute, cozy and quaint. It looks a little small on the outside, but once you're in the door and downstairs it opens up quite a bit. You're transported into what felt like, an Italian, wine bar! The lighting was dim, the noise level was moderate, the people were friendly and there was such a chic ambiance here. I really enjoyed it. We merely stopped in for a drink since we had dinner reservations later, but this was a great place to stop. Service: We sat in the bar area of course and the bartender took excellent care of us. No complaints here. Food/Drinks: I had their S'Mores Espresso Martini which was so beautiful, well-balanced, a bit sweet, chocolatey and not very strong, but it was cool. It came with a gorgeous and super-tasty piece of chocolate that was so perfect. Value: Like any downtown big city cocktail bar, nothing is going to be cheap. My martini was $23.00 AUS which translates to $14.55. They do have full-service dinner here which looked very interesting and delicious, but maybe next time! In conclusion, I really enjoyed my time here and would come back, but I'd try something stronger next time. Cheers!

Share platters is what you'll find, which I think is perfect. It blends beautifully with the casual…read moreatmosphere, alongside with their scrumptious cocktails... Full review: purplecuriosity.wordpress.com/2016/12/31/the-botanist/

Fabulous bar with excellent service. The cocktails here are amazing and the food is nice too. Our…read moredog was so happy to be allowed in and Hemant the owner is a lovely guy and very welcoming. Definitely one of my favourites in Balmain. The ambience is fabulous with old European style interiors and a fireplace for cold winter days. There are a few tables outside and the menu is mainly sharing plates. Vegetarian choice is limited and I wish there were a few more options for food. The owner does allow you to get pizza from Tipo 00 if you don't like the menu they have. Cocktail list is extensive and there is a good selection of single malts and other spirits. Would happily come here any day. It's a great spot for a chilled evening with friends sipping cocktails and grazing :-)

I have never been here before & was invited there…read more Ordered the beef rib and broccoli - AMAZING!! Ive never seen a broccoli served this way, nor have i ever said my broccoli was absolutely incredible, but it was!! And the beef rib - superb. I broke my diabetic diet to indulge in the pavalova afterwards and fantastic, not too sweet. Will be back if in the area..

I've got a drunk socialite aunt who's cooler than I am, can drink more than I can and goes out at…read moreleast thrice as much as I do. It's highly impressive and starkly emasculating. But she put me on to Delicado and I am now forever in her debt because of it. No longer do I have to drive over the bridge (to THE DARK SIDE) to get kick-ass Spanish, I just have to schelp down Blues Point Road, a strip sunnier and entirely more optimistic than its name might suggest. The brunch wins (and by wins I'm talking 10-nil drubbings, not lousy little 1-0 barely-wins): 1. Huervos Paellaras, baked eggs cooked in an iron skillet with chorizo and tomato sofrito. 2. House-made baked white beans with kipfler potato and asparagus 3. Cafe de tiempo - black coffee gently sweetened over ice with lemon. Wins, I tell you! Now I just need to come back for lunch, supper, dinner and late supper.

This is my go-to place for Spanish tapas in Sydney - no one does it better…read more Owner Ben Moechtar is one of Australia's leading sommeliers and an Hispanophile second to none. Ben spends a few months every year in Spain sourcing the best produce and staying current with trends. When you eat at his establishment you're gaining that passion and energia - not just a plate a food. You could order anything at random on the menu and not be disappointed. FWIW my go-to dishes are crispy-skinned pork belly, zucchini flowers, chorizo finished with churros con dulce de leche y chocolate. Wash it down with an Estrella, Ambar or a refreshing sangria (white sangria in summer). Moechtar also runs wine appreciation classes and there's an excellent attached liquor shop so you can take something home with you. Cheaper than a trip to Spain, just as tasty and no worry about jet lag or shlepping through Customs.

Mate what can i say best meal ever i need meat so Karma at the bar gave me a special order that was…read morenot on the menu beef ribs for two .. my wife ate one i ate the other 3. Thank you Karma for the best service ever

A great find in Crows Nest, great service, a good wine list at reasonable prices. The salmon dish…read morewas amazing and live music on Sunday afternoon makes this a good choice for a Sunday session. Transport at door and a great ambience makes this a must see if in the area.

Flynns is the place you can go to week after week and neither the menu nor the wines get tired or a…read moreplace you can take that special person for intimate dinner. Just outside of the bustling Crows Nest hub, Flynns is in an ex dry cleaners building and has been beautifully restored (even with some of the old original brickwork) to give it that Italian/european flavour. It's built along two split levels, with an outside deck, classy bar (where Ive had many a beer or wine) and even couches and lounge chairs if you are really just in for a chat and a wine after a hard day at work. What makes this place so special is the attention to detail in both the food and the service. The owner is almost always there and makes a habit of getting to know his customers but also embracing them into his world. The staff are very attentive and its the perfect place for a 30 min on-the-run dinner or a relaxed 3 hour feast with 10 of your mates. Oh and don't forget the Argentinian Malbec. To die for!!!

Also known as Diner Five Five. You can't go past this place for tasty Italian food at reasonable…read moreprices. What I did find surprising for the price with the beautiful setting and decor of the restaurant where modern meets classic. No red and white check table clothes here. To the food, very nice simple dishes served with quality ingredients. If you want something with a twist, go for one of the chef's special pizza's or other dishes. For me, the Greek salad was the winner of the night. Only thing missing - some bread rolls for the table for soaking up the sauces and dressings!