Although I have never claimed to be good at it, I love setting people up. My thought process never…read moregoes further than "he's pretty, she's pretty, they should go home and stare at each other." Needless to say I have never had a success. I'm somewhat comforted to see that this isn't an exact science for anyone else either. Which is why I got to witness a most awkward set up with couple voted "least likely to hit it off". Thankfully this all went down at Foxtrot Inn, that wonderful small bar in Crows Nest that I always forget about because it is nowhere near anything (except Lynn's Fortuna Court - the original old-school Chinese restaurant). No one else knows it's here either. On a Friday evening it's pretty quiet. Foxtrot has everything you could ask for in a small bar. The maze-like layout means there is something to discover around every corner. The drinks and cocktail selection is extensive and the food menu is pretty good. Did I mention the condiments? Oh the condiments! Tabasco, Cholula and that white rhino of condiments Frank's Red Hot. Delightful.

Pretty cool bar with a nice open air upstairs area. Food is quite nice (truffle fries were…read moredelicious) but a bit pricey. Friendly service. Nice cozy interior with cool looking lounge area. Extensive cocktail list, but limited tap beers (one of them was very good, I think it was a pale ale) Limited space upstairs, but has a nice ambiance if you can get a spot.

My friends and I had a hankering for tacos and we saw the variety of pub style foods they had, so…read moresmall bar it was. The name was fitting as it was quite tiny inside, but we were able to find a seat right away. I ordered the jerk chicken tacos, which were absolutely delicious. My friend ordered the same but got the gluten free version. Maybe it's just me being silly and a little too American, but I found it a little ridiculous that she had to pay 2 dollars extra for corn tortillas, when that's exactly how tacos are served traditional. Thankful, because corn tortillas are typically smaller, she got 4 tacos instead of 3. I also was able to grab a gin and soda which was flavored with orange, delicious.

Great burgers and a very nice wine list…read more We stopped for dinner on a Wednesday night and ordered a couple of glasses of wine and a couple of cheeseburgers. You order at the bar (it's at the bottom of the menu, but we were tired and didn't immediately notice that), and the food comes out pretty quickly. The wine list had great offerings, including a very nice brut sparkling wine, and a good choice of other varietals. The burgers were juicy, flavorful, and very filling. The fries were crispy and delicious too.

So. The Stoned…read moreCrow. Time was these words would invoke an involuntary shudder that ran up and down my spine like whooping cough. Waves of black memory break unbidden upon the shingle of my thoughts. Dark, smoky rooms. Leering grins. Sticky floors. Pancake make up and teeth stained with lipstick. But no more! The gentrification of the Crowie strip continues with the latest incarnation of the Stoned Crow rising - phoenix-like! - from the ashes of the previous. And this one done be a keeper yo. Giant, open sun-splashed wooden bench looking out onto the pedestrian strip. Comfy couches cloistered away in cosy yet surprisingly open alcoves. Wood, chalk boards, exposed brick. Shockingly attractive wait staff pulled straight from an American Apparel catalogue and friendler than Labradors. I hit this place on a late Friday for happy hour - $10 frozen cocktails - and it was pumping man, full of hot-to-trots and way-cools. In summary: The Stoned Crow is like a disgusting, pitiful homeless man covered in his own excrement that conquered his amnesia and destitution, had a long hot shower, threw on some classy duds and landed a lucrative modelling job. If it were a Hollywood movie it'd be called "Harry The Hobo Comes Good."

Make sure you get there early for a table, or be ready to pounce. We ordered mostly pizzas and they…read morewere GREAT- perfect for sharing. The quesadillas were ordinary and the arancini pretty good, but not overwhelmingly fantastic. There is a tapas style menu and a much substantial menu. Each night there is a different special, so make sure you check those out. While the food and drink available were great, it was noisy (you know those places where you come out and your ears are ringing?)- an since there was no dancing and most people where eating main sized meals, it seemed unnecessary and a big turn off to return or stay for more drinks. I will point out, that a few years ago a group of us went to The Stoned Crow and some of us (those who ate the same dish) cam down with food poisoning and because of this I've avoided the place since. Since then it's had two new owners and a serious renovation.

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!

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!

Cool little bar hidden away behind Crust with a throwback prohibition-inspired theme. Although the…read morelive music is excellent, when combined with a full night of patrons, it gets a little bit too much regarding noise in my ears. The Darkes Forest howler cider is pretty interesting and keeping with the wolf theme .

Truly excellent food. Massive range of whiskys. Great cocktails. Good live music. Well worth a…read morevisit.

Service is fine, coffee is okay. Though it is a nice place…read moreto relax with a wine or a beer. It has potential if done right.

(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/

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. :)

Why doesn't Chatswood have any cool bars? Like, it's growing. Exploding, almost. Nobody but oil…read morebarons and foreign princes can afford property here now. But there's no small bars, and no late-night nightlife. Mike Baird, what have you done here? And why doesn't anyone know about it? Anyway, that's clearly a digression. This place bucks the no-bar trend, in fact it's the only place worth drinking in Chatty. (Chelsea Hotel and The Orchard are both soulless). It's *gasp* trendy, if I can say that and not sound like a dag. Probably too late for that. Ah well. There's craft beers you've never heard of and a thoughtful wine list and creative (and affordable!) cocktails and lots of different places to sit depending on whether you're on a date, a corporate lunch, or a catch-up with an old friend that likes playing pool. Magical trees covered in fairy lights welcome you, there's couches, and fun outdoor areas. Come. Drink. Liven Chatswood up with the sound of your laughter and Viking-like merry-making.

Good times great place. Highly recommended! The funky…read moreatmosphere is only topped by the yummy food.