We love our food and when we hear anything is supporting a good cause in any way, we are…read moreinterested. Raising money, providing resources for the needy or donating profits, we consider all of this amazing! So when we heard that SONG KITCHEN has a social conscience, offering 100% of their profits to support the YWCA NSW - an organisation that helps women experiencing domestic violence, we were there in a heartbeat. Located on Elizabeth street, Sydney, it is a hotel restaurant in the city end of Surry Hills. Song Kitchen is somewhere city goers may walk past everyday. Don't just walk past, head on in. Open for less than a year, Song Kitchen is run head chef, Charlotte Gonzales. She comes with a wealth of experience, having been a chef since the age of 18 having worked in a number of well known restaurants, including a number of Merivale venues. The menu at Song Kitchen offers fine dining quality at a reasonable price, showcasing fresh food that is European Bistro inspired. There is also an extensive wine and cocktail list. Song Kitchen is also giving back to diners, offering a free wine with dinner as a promotion. We were in a group and were fortunate enough to sample much of the menu. This included the Rabbit terrine with apricot, pistachio and chargrilled bread as well as the Kingfish ceviche. The charcuterie board, which is always a great share option for a group and had a quality selection of cured meats, house pickles, and chargrilled bread and very enjoyable with a glass of wine. A fresh light option was the tomato and melon salad with prosciutto. Our favourite was the grilled king prawns, perfectly cooked and plenty of flavour provided by long red chilli, garlic, coriander, lime & romesco salsa. The corn fed chicken breast, super tender, served with potato mash, broccoli and a lemon salsa. A number of our group went for the beautifully cooked grain fed scotch filler (250g), served with a generous amount of nicely seasoned shoestring fries, red wine jus and a side of Bearnaise. If you are in the mood for pasta the waiter recommended the Pince all'Amatriciana tomato sauce. Despite the fact we were extremely full, a few of us wanted dessert too and shared some classic including; Crepes Suzette, Creme Caramel and profiteroles. A beautiful menu with so many awesome options! Make a booking, dine with your friends and know you're helping a good cause!

I went here for a quick nice work lunch with colleagues from out of town. The space is beautiful,…read moremuch more roomy than it appears from the street. The lunch menu is a curated selection of lunch favorites with a fine dining twist. Beautiful flavors and beautifully presented. The only semi criticism is that the serving sizes were small. I had the burger and it came with no sides. It just needed a little more something. My colleague had the ribs and he had to grab a snack afterwards. So excellent for a light lunch, not great if you're hungry!

Really terrible service, really terrible management. Would never come again given the wah Poly…read moretreated my party.

Poly is the sister restaurant of Ester, Chippendale. Both restaurants are high on our list of…read moreSydney favourites. Poly is located in a great spot on the border of Surry Hills and the Southern end of the CBD. You will find it in a large converted industrial space part of the Paramount site on Commonwealth Street. The restaurant's bar is large and very prominent, which could give play to Poly's vision to be a bar, which also serves food. Although the kitchen is small, they utilise the space well and the food is superb, making this an all round top dining experience. There are many different table configurations, great for groups, our favourite tables are by the kitchen and the mesmerising wood fire.The cooking is rustic refined woodfire, all cooked over open flame, with cooking racks above at different levels to allow for different temperatures and multiple dishes to be cooked at the same time, all whilst absorbing flavour from the charred wood below.We love that this restaurant group make their bread fresh and there are a number of options on the menu that feature the freshly made bread. There is the sourdough roll with whipped butter and parsley oil. The roll has a bit of weight to it, when you pick it up from the plate, however the texture is light and fluffy.Our favourite was the anchovy bread, simple and delicious with a heavy hit of lemon, the rind boosting the flavour, the anchovy flavour only light and hanging in the background. The Nduja and honeycomb toast was a good combination of sweet, savoury and spice. The soft house made bread is toasted and topped with Nduja, spreadable spicy Italian pork salami and to finish spoon of fresh honeycomb.We also ordered some small bites to share, the beef tartare was brilliant, one of the better in Sydney, nicely seasoned and plenty of flavour from pickled mushroom, dill pickle and the fermented hot sauce takes it to another level.The butterflied prawns that are famous at Ester, also made an appearance. They hit our table and are perfectly cooked, the meat of the prawn peeling away from the shell with ease.The Koji Marinated beef intercostal, succulent slightly fatty beef which carries the sweet marinade and horseradish, the beef cubed and cooked on skewers over the fire. This dish was mouthwatering and kept us going back for more.For a main we ordered the whole dory fish, baked over the fire with scales on, this nicely steaming the fish inside. The fish cooked in a rustic smokey tomato sauce taking on the flavour of the fish as it cooked over the flames. This dish certainly grabbed our attention when it arrived at the table the scales cracking and peeling of with ease, as did the flesh inside. This was enjoyed with a side of cos lettuce and broccoli shoots.We finished the meal with a top dessert, also quite rustic to look at. The sticky date doughnut, a crisp outer crust soft dough inside, the sticky date sauce soaked up by doughnut and a topped with a thick vanilla cream that melts into the sauce and doughnut.The larger space of Poly gives a different feel to the cosy Ester restaurant. We enjoyed the whole experience, our waiter very good with explaining the food and helping choose wine, which was excellent, we really enjoyed the Barberra from the Yarra, Vic, a heavy ballsy red, that had long lasting flavour. The cocktails were also superb. We also enjoyed the atmosphere, it was easy to enjoy a conversation and the food all cooked to a high standard, which takes skill, especially when cooking over an open flame. This is our kind of food, a must dining experience and a return definitely on the cards

A very cozy Italian restaurant with lovely staff amazing dishes. It does get crowded and…read morereservations are a must in advance. Way in advance... Enjoy!

The menu choices are very good for this restaurant. The opening hours are convenient, however the…read morerestaurant is in a somewhat difficult location. Overall great European food and atmosphere. The atmosphere brings a welcoming ambiance.

Now I know the word 'comfort' means a lot of different things to different people. But comfort food…read moreto me includes stir fried radish cake, steaming fluffy rice with spicy soups, slurpy beef noodles buried under a thick blanket of thick beef gravy, chilli crab smoothered in luscious bright neon orange sauce and steamboat bubbling away like a jacuzzi. A steamboat is only made even better when it's full of spicy tomyum or sichuan broth. Yet no matter how much I wanted to sit down to a Sichuan hotpot dinner, the SO was adamant he didn't want a repeat performance on the chilli stakes. Instead he voted that we have dinner at Fuku Restaurant Sake and Wine Bar. Fuku Restaurant Sake and Wine Bar's menu is Japanese and includes a little bit of everything: donburi, yakidori, sushi, sashimi, tempura and nabe. I danced a little jig inside, seeing as nabe is similar enough to steamboat and hotpots, so I was going to get my steamboat fix afterall. The seafood nabe was a small order and perfect for the both of us. It included one leg portion of crab (possibly blue swimmer), 2 large prawns, mussels, squid, firm tofu, spring onions and fresh cabbage. I cannot imagine how large the large size might be. Our waiter brought over the cooker and the claypot with all the raw ingredients piled in a heap, turned the cooker on and told us to wait, which was easy enough as we munched on the yakidori, sashimi and tempura. I couldn't resist giving the nabe a couple of pokes to ensure everything cooked properly. Once the pot got bubbling, a waitress came over to scoop out our individual servings and then shell the whole prawns. It was a little unexpected, seeing as how hotpot/nabe is normally a homely affair where we'd get down and dirty with our hands - it's half the fun, but I suppose being posher than the street food stalls and home, the service Fuku Restaurant Sake and Wine Bar provided was logical. Nonetheless, it was the perfect tummy warmer and we left very satisfied.

This place is beautiful, the atmosphere is chilled and welcoming, with a glorious and fruitful…read moreselection of beverages that I found myself still contemplating what to drink once the food was sitting on my table. Definitely try the yakitori platter. The food is unbelievable and mouth watering, however the attentiveness of the staff is what enhanced my dining experience here. This was a wonderful surprise to stumble upon and highly recommend this place! Five star and beyond, without a doubt.

Amazing new wine bar smack bang in the middle of Surry Hills next to the best Italian restaurant in…read moreSydney. Much love has been poured into this place. Come enjoy aperitif style food and an amazing wine selection curated by the part owner. Open for more than just wine. Coffee I'm sure will be amazing but will repost when I have enjoyed breakfast!

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!

We liked this hip high ceiling venue with outside seating and a large patio. It's off the Main…read moreStreet down a walk. Lots of good menu choices and drinks. Large bar with lots of space. We started with Pacific oysters, and a delicious thinly sliced pork sandwich on crispy fried bread with pesto and greens. Recommend.

I visited this establishment on a food tour a few weeks ago and wished I could have stayed longer…read moreor visited again during my time in Sydney. Unfortunately I wasn't able to do either. The Winery is a beautiful space. Dark, yet well lit by natural light, with decor and furniture to match the elegant look and feel. My group ended up sitting outside and that space was lovely too, with a bunch of outdoor tables and chairs, plus a garden. The bathrooms were very nice too, and in the upstairs of the restaurant. This area is also lushly appointed with furniture and decor. We sampled oysters which were some of the best I've had (and I live in MD and eat oysters all the time!). We also had some sausage roll which was ok, but not my taste with the chorizo addition. Overall, great visit!

A Hidden gem in the depths of Martin place in the CBD of Sydney is the GPO cheese room. Enter via…read morethe old post office building, head down the stairs and you will find your cheese wonderland. Once inside the cheese room, to the left is a cheese counter and the rest of the room is filled with bottles of wine. This could be considered heaven for some and probably is. There is a nicely set dining room to the right, where you can enjoy your selections in sophisticated comfort. The staff are very attentive, filling your water glass and providing great service. The GPO cheese room has a large selection of wine from many regions around the world, much like their cheese offerings. We browsed the menu trying to decide what to order, a difficult task considering everything they have to offer. Do we pick a couple of different types of cheese, burgers, antipasto, a cheese and wine flight or a main? Nope, we spot that they have fondue on the menu, something you do not come across too often in Sydney. This is something that appeals to my Swiss roots. We select a nice glass of pinot and sip away, in anticipation for the brie coulommiers and truffle fondue to arrive. The fondue hits the table, the flame is lit and the cheese melts, turning into a bowl of liquid goodness. The fondue set was very impressive, consisting of a large platter containing a selection of cured meat, potatoes, bread, crackers, pickled figs and grilled garlic prawns. The fondue forks were kept busy as we were selecting items to pass through that decadent mix of cheese and truffle, transforming each item into a mass flavour infusion. At $56 between two, it is great value. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the GPO cheese room, set up in the historic post office building at the bottom of Martin Place. With a great selection of cheese and wine at a good price, this place is now on our radar and one we recomnend you add to your list.

Do you like cheese? Do you LOVE cheese? (are you the weird person who doesn't like cheese but likes…read moreyour friends who like cheese?) Then the GPO cheese and wine room is for YOU! There are a range of options to get your cheese fix including a cheese fondu for two ($49), Mac and cheese (16$) and cheese boards. The friendly and knowledgable staff will keenly pair a beautiful wine for you choice of cheese. The restaurant is intimate with low lighting and a sneaky corridor for a quiet date night or a lovely night with friends! I haven't needed a reservation here but if you are planning to come it wouldn't be worth missing out on. cheese cheese yes please!

Feel like royalty at the QVB! Lovely champs moment with your friends or special someone in the…read morecity. We did a flight of local champagnes and had a great time watching the city hustle while learning more about the local champagne varieties. My partner had the upgrade and enjoyed two of the tree bites he got to go with his flight.

Grab a seat by window if you can. Good food and people watching…read more Love this place and certainly on my list to take guests to experience Sydney. Love the creativity of the food and relaxed but classy atmosphere.

The name Eau de Vie literally translates to "water of life" in French, although it is also the name…read moreused for a wide variety of distilled, fruit-based liquors. In Sydney, Eau de Vie is better translated as a dim and sultry bar responsible for some of the most creative cocktails in the city. Make reservations, and consider coming during the week when the crowds may be a bit more tolerable. They also boast some specials such as $1 Islay oysters on Thursdays and in Whiskey and Cheese Wednesdays. The Wednesday special is a particularly great deal as 40 AUD gets you a pairing of 5 cheese and 5 whiskies. On our visit, we managed to get lucky with Japanese Suntory whiskey night. Getting to compare the Chita Grain, Suntory Kakubin, Hibiki Harmony, Hakushu DR, and Yamazaki DR side by side was not only a treat for the palate, but made it easier to identify distinctive differences between each. The cocktails themselves come with quirky names, and list of unique ingredients. Lapsang Souchong, red miso, and even Parmesan were used to compliment the various liquors. Most importantly, they manage to slay on the taste in addition to the creativity factor. Not sure how long they stay on the menu, but for example the Black Lantern (Laphroaig 10 yo whiskey, Chivas 12 yo whiskey, coconut and red bean milk, with salt and sesame) was a well balanced masterpiece. The Popcorn Flip (Martell VS Cognac, Curaco, White Chocolate, Honey, Egg, Popcorn; Served Up) was like dessert in a glass. For those looking to pair their drinks with a bit more, Eau de Vie has small "Grazing" items such as potato croquettes, and pork terrine. Also,they offer larger "Plates" like steak slider (severed with 3) or scallops on the half shell. If all that wasn't enough to whet your palette, they adtionally have either single serve selections of meat and cheeses or tasting boards with an assortment of items ready to order. All in all a solid selection to savor alongside your drink of choice. While finding the speakeasy-esque bar off the street may not be the easiest feat, it is certainly worth the effort to do so.

A triumphant way to start, middle, or finish a night, and quite simply one of the best cocktail…read morebars in Sydney. This was our last stop on a secret bar cocktail birthday crawl for the ages, and by the beard of Zeus did it deliver. Straight up, a massive fanboy shout-out to Joy and Camille, who went out of their way to look after us with smiles and good grace even after we were super late for our booking courtesy of some neglectful service at another bar. They looked after the every person in the place with fun, courtesy, care and laughter, here are two hosts who love their jobs and man, it makes for a shit hot experience as a punter, I didn't want to leave. And the cocktails. We'd been slugging booze for the last 4 hours and these still blew us put of our pants and into something more delicious - a White Negroni and a Smoky Bacon Old Fashioned are my new favourite tipples (see you in hell, whisky sour, your services are no longer required). Classy, romantic, fun, fabulous, and everything in between. Best.