This is my another surprise discovery. One day I was on my way to Victor Churchill, I noticed this…read morelow-key, slick, mysterious (?) looking place. Out of curiosity, I opened the door to look inside. A very friendly staff member greeted and welcomed in. She explained it's been only a week or so, but the place has attracted lots of customers already. She showed me around and explained this place used to be a boutique for women's clothes. I liked the coziness and how they have converted to a cool wine bar. This is another wine bar with chairs which I love. There are a couple of small tables in the bar area, more tables in the backside, then a small courtyard section. They have tapas style dishes - cold, hot, more of meal dishes. I enjoy a bacon and egg roll with a glass of wine as Sunday branch. If I am there in the afternoon, a nice cheese plate goes well with wine... Staff members are very friendly and help you decide what wine you would like to have if you are not sure. They have great selection of wines and I am sure they can pick one for you!

Dropped in here on a Sunday afternoon for an espresso followed by a glass of wine and some snacks…read more My double espresso was really good and a lot better than some coffee shops serve. The gentleman behind the bar had been let down by his casual staff member doing a no-show so he was under the pump managing the afternoon rush. This did not have any affect on the friendliness of the service at all. The wine list is extensive and you can peruse on your own or ask for suggestions and advice. Cheeses were yum but would have been even better had they not come straight out of the fridge but they did soften in next to no time. It was also really good value for the portions given and the waiter talked us through each different variety. Sweet potato crisps were salty and delicious. Without a doubt I will be back.

This really wasn't one of my favourite Surry Hills pubs, but then again with the number to choose…read morefrom as I have mentioned a number of times, the bar has been set pretty high. Still, it was a rather pleasant, and quiet, place to grab a drink, particularly since it was a Friday night when I passed through here. Like a lot of the pubs down here, there were some pretty nice beers on tap, and the staff were nice as well, however it really wasn't a favourite.

I'm on the fence about this one. I may need to try again to say which way that experience pushes…read moreme. There were seven of us for lunch today. There was not an abnormal wait to get our food. I had a delicious Cesar salad. Those who ordered a favorite kale with fig salad complained there was excessive dressing today compared to other days. The decor is a bit bi-polar. The front of the pub is your typical dark area with small tables. I much preferred the back that was filled with large communal tables and lots of light. The staff member who took our order at the bar then delivered our order. He complained of how busy it was and seemed annoyed. He could use some hospitality training.

Came here to say for my birthday I was hoping to come for lunch, but they have to change my…read morereservation due to Good Friday to a later time in the day, which wasn't that cause then I end up having it for dinner. They also gave me a candle for my cake for my birthday, which was nice. I was there by myself. The food was really good. I ended up not taking a picture of the food cause I end up eating and literally as soon as it got on my table, but the food is really good if I'm ever back in Sydney, I'll definitely be coming back here. It was a cute little spot. I got there Right when they opened up for the day at 5:30 I think and it was packed in there as the time went on so it must be very popular place so glad I got to have a reservation here.

Reservations recommended!…read more We got lucky and snagged a table. Service was very friendly and helpful. We were intrigued their planned 5course all vegan dinner option but this day we were not that hungry so opted for single dishes. Great selections and difficult decisions but landed on the dumplings, artichoke pizza, and creamy noodles. Really enjoyed the pizza and our appetizer dumplings. Dumplings are highly recommended!

The only other Portugese restaurant I have eaten at is Nandos (and who knows how true to form that…read moreis?) so it was with great excitement that I had my first sophisticated Portugese feast at new guy Bibo. Its dim lit and a bit sexy inside. Date night venue fo' sho'. Service is doting, smart and with a European accent. The menu revolves around share plates, some smaller and some larger. If you havent tried Portugese food- I would put it somewhere between Spanish and Italian with fragrant hints of the Middle East. Start off with the smoked mackerel pâté- this is one of those dishes that will linger in your memory. Is it too early to call this Bibo's signature dish? Follow with the killer beef tartare- morsels of tender raw beef in a light creamy sauce set off with savory raddish shavings, salty capers and the zing of pickled cucumber pieces. Dark potato crisps nestle around the tartare for you to make a little DIY canapé. Brilliant. Also go for the cured fish board, the crispy Brussel sprouts in buttermilk sauce and save room for dessert. The Portugese tarts are pure sorcery. Wash it all down with the Shiraz offered by the glass - smacking good.

Bobo wine bar is in Bay Street down a small ally to the front door. What a find great decor, large…read morewine selection and great food to share we had peri peri chicken not hot at all but delicious and port belly so good. Fair price 100 dollars per head with wine and desert. Aaaah Portugese tarts for desert to die for. Definitely a place to return to with its warm decor

Casoni is a rare gem which combines attentive servers, an intimate atmosphere and epic food…read more Located off Oxford, this place will probably get you laid as a date venue. My female friend brought me here for my birthday and although I'm heterosexual, I would have said yes to anything during the squash ravioli...anything. We got the fixed menu which was nothing short of a gastronomic holiday...but like a holiday with food prepared by a chef and not your crazy aunt Rita. The Cos with Parmesan oyster mayo makes you appreciate lettuce which is something almost no one says -may I suggest the lettuce? Next was the burrata cheese with a tangy yet subtle sauce and a few crisps to dip in it. This was the worst part of the meal....because we had to share and I wanted it all to myself. Next were the Brussels sprouts with ham, chili and clearly cooked in butter (cause that's how you make Brussels sprouts great, that's how you make anything great). I kept trying to slyly look into the kitchen to see how they prepared this magic treat, on that note if anyone works in the kitchen here and wants to come show me how to make these, I will write a nicely worded letter to your mom thanking her for your presence, maybe one to your dad too! The real piece de resistance was the aforementioned squash ravioli with a perfect olive oil sauce with the crunch of pistachios and sweet potato crisps which combined the soft and delicate pasta with a rewarding crunch...full disclosure I didn't think I'd finish mine but when push came to shove I not only polished off my plate, I had the last bites of my friend's too. Lastly was the desert which I could have lived without. It was fine but considering the experience I had just undergone, I felt like a food critic sampling the best dishes in Australia only to have my palate exposed to mediocrity. The espresso martini was also not to my liking but perhaps it was simply more bitter than I'm used to. I will still go back and urge others to do the same, this place is a total 5 but I might try another desert and drink next time. Like a date who is gorgeous AND has a personality but stops being as witty near the end, everyone deserves a second chance...did I mention the ravioli ;)

Amazing food, really small portions…read more We were highly recommended this place by my brother in law, so headed over there after work on a Tuesday. The online booking process was excellent and really easy to do and change. It is a pretty easy and quick walk up to from the city which was good. We had a very friendly and knowledgable waitress who helped us with wine choices and let us know in advance that there was only one serve of the special left so we could snatch it up. Our meal was; Entrees: Beef carpaccio - absolutely delicious with anchovie mayo and Parmesan. I haven't liked carpaccio in the past but this was so tasty. Burrata and tomato salad - not for the cholesterol watchers, but the salad was tasty. All about the knot of cheese which was tasty but not too heavy. Mains: Pumpkin ravioli - by far the stand out for me, but 7 small ravioli did not make for a meal for me. It was so delicious, I didn't want it to end, but it did... Really quickly. (Special) - scampi with saffron gnocchi and ham broth. This was ok, not bad but deserving of 3 stars. The gnocchi was a little heavy and there was only 1 and a half scampi Dessert: Cannoli - this wasn't bad. Definitely a bit of a let down after the amazing entree and pumpkin pasta. Wine: - had never heard of it let alone tasted it, but it was divine. A little sweeter than expected but it was such easy drinking, even though we had light pasta it was fruity enough to complement it well. I wouldn't be rushing back given that we live across town but it was a lovely atmosphere and amazing food. I just don't like walking out of spending $55 pp on food and still being hungry. Charge a little more and give me some more ravioli!

Have you ever had your pasta twirled in a giant wheel of cheese before it hits your plate? It's…read morecalled cacio e pepe, it's at Buffalo Dining Club in Darlinghurst in Sydney, Australia, and it's heavenly. I was first alerted to this momentous dining experience by an American friend who sent me a video of the action. I went to try it on a Saturday night. The spot doesn't take reservations, except for parties of seven or more and on the last Sunday of every month, and it was already packed with a two-hour wait by the time I walked up. With timely obligations, I had to leave but vowed to come back again. It turns out, Buffalo Dining Club is a perfect place to visit for lunch on a Wednesday, around 12:30 p.m. There were plenty of seats, though be warned much of it is communal in this hip restaurant that seats around 50 people altogether. If you're a twosome on the patio, chances are good you'll be rubbing elbows with your neighbor, and a substantial long table takes up much of the space in the dining room. Cheese lovers will adore Buffalo Dining Club, which imports mozzarella from Italy and has an amazing burrata appetizer ($22 AUD). The giant hunk is melt-in-your-mouth goodness with every bite. The cacio e pepe ($20), or spaghetti with salt, pepper, olive oil and parsley twirled in a massive wheel of pecorino cheese, is gooey and flavour-packed. The show is even better, as a server flashily spins the pasta for amazed eyes. The gnocchi ($20) is also top-notch, delightful pillows of buffalo ricotta dough with napolitana sauce. Getting the items mentioned and sharing makes for a perfect meal for two. The restaurant has an extensive selection of wine to pair with your Italian meal, plus strong and tasty handcrafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is bustling, and the food is delicious. As raved about online and having garnered attention worldwide, Buffalo Dining Club is a worthy dining destination.

*Warning: the menu was simple; mostly cheese, prosciutto, and sides, not much protein at all. The…read morewhole point of coming here was to try their signature pasta dish: CACIO E PEPE! Though it was obviously not as good as Rome, it was pretty delightful in its own unique way. The al dente pasta was twirled in a giant wheel of pecorino cheese, table-side! Then I was able to enhance it with the house-made pepper jam (provided at the table). We also tried the house salad (fresh and well-dressed) and San Daniele prosciutto ribbons, while sipping some crisp Pinot Grigio - all good complements to the heavy pasta. Overall, my sisters and I enjoyed our carb lunch al fresco that day!