Keith Dallara

Day 2 Dinner

Temperature: 24C

I've been completely unsuccessful in finding a reservation at the last minute for a top restaurant in Sydney. Even the most seasoned amongst you should not even attempt this. Tonight we are going to Billy Kwongs (asian fusion) and maybe try to get in at Cochin. Both are in Surry Hills.

The following is an outline of essential Sydney dining and drinking options. There are really only three things you need to know: Asian restaurants, brunch venues and bars. There are other things but you will read about them in The Good Food Guide, Cheap Eats and restaurant reviews in the Sydney Morning Herald. It is worth noting that in the Spring and Summer time there are lots of interesting tropical fruits to try: e.g. fresh lycees, logan and rambutan.

Please note that my suggestions are not up-to-the-minute, although they are probably pretty current.

Asian
1. Prasit's on Crown Street (Surry Hills for takeaway and North Sydney to sit down, Sydney)
Best Thai Food in the entire world ever (including Thailand). True story: friend of mine proposed marriage to one of the cooks, so blown away was he by the food. Sadly, friend was turned down... the cook said that this happens all the time.

Key dishes include:
(a) The perfect balance of flavours in the aptly named Heaven Beef
(b) The searing chilli laden experience that is the Prasits Stir Fry
(c) the uncious pleasure of the Banana Leaf Salad

2. Longrain (Also in Surry Hills, Commonwealth Street)
Great food, medium-hip bar. You cannot book, but bar is an excellent hang. Bar generally serves superior mojitos.

3. Jimmy Likks (Victoria Rd, Potts Point). Keith and I went here last year with our friends Melissa, Alex, Tanya and Dina.
South East Asian, with flavours of Vietnam. Same owners as Long Grain. I think the place is a little cooler than Long Grain, but views differ. Outstanding food, cool bar.

Key dishes include:
(a) Subtle, tender flavours of the cuttlefish
(b) Desert featuring young coconut jelly and lycee sorbet

4. Billy Kwong (Crown St, Surry Hills - opposite The Dolphin, pub)
Excellent Chinese/ Asian fusion - hipish. You may have to wait for a while to get a table (you can’t book). It's worth it. Billy Kwong was comprehensively ripped off by Will when he opened E&O in Notting Hill. However, the original is best.

4. BBQ King (I think it's on Golbourn St in the City)
Famous Sydney Chinese eatery. Not as inexpensive as it used to be - but still good. These people know that a duck's natural habitat is on a pancake with a little sauce. Chilli salt squid is still good, although they have changed the recipe. Golden Century's is arguably better. If you are fortunate you may be assigned the discretionary "lucky table"

I am disappointed with the King these days. It's gone upmarket and just isn't the same experience at 2am.

5. Golden Century (in the China Town – Sussex St cnr Goulburn St)
Very good large scale Chinese restaurant. Of course the duck is the goods, although you should also try the barramundi (a deservedly famous Australian fish) steamed whole with ginger. Don't be too put off if they introduce you to the still live fish before steaming it.

6. Watermark
Try the Balmain bugs at this very nice waterfront restaurant on Balmoral Beach. The wine list is outstanding.

7. Laksa (Chifley Tower on the second floor, Castlereigh Street and King Street go down to the basement, Woolworths food court basement, Colonial State Building – again, try the basement)
Famous Malaysian curry noddle dish.

8. Minh Restaurant (Marrickville) – it’s by far the best Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney – even my mother says so. You get more than just Pho served here. Pho served in Australia comes with fresh rice noodles. In any case, if you go to Minh, don’t order the Pho unless you want to try the Pho Ga (chicken Pho), try some other Vietnamese dishes.

9. Fancy restaurants include:
• Aria (in Keith's precious Toaster building near the Opera House)
• 41 (of Chifley tower – is excellent and the views are spectacular)
• Aqua Lunar (East Circular Quay) (view)
• Bilsons (pitt street)
• Azuma (Chifley tower – almost as good as what you’ll find in Tokyo)
• Manta Ray (Wooloomooloo near the W Hotel)

Posted by quethanh at February 24, 2007 02:31 AM