Wholemeal French Toast at RAD Mt Eden

Wholemeal French Toast at RAD Mt Eden

On our recent trip to Auckland we were pleasantly surprised to find that the city is now divided into 'precincts' resulting in a lot of new additions to the dining out mix.

Such as the former industrial area of Morningside which now features several warehouse space cafes including Crave, KIND and even  a bar The Morningside Tavern , amidst the new apartment developments. Feels a lot like Alexandria in Sydney but on a smaller scale.

Another great discovery was the village-like Mt Eden, which sits on the side of it's namesake.
On our first night in town we enjoyed catching-up with a  dear friend over fresh, handmade pasta at Pasta & Cuore, where you can watch all the action as pasta is made whilst your meal is being prepared. It's got a buzzy vibe and was super busy on a Wednesday night - a great sign in a local restaurant mid-week.

Across the road on a big corner site is  Fraser's a cafe-by-day /restaurant-by-night, where we enjoyed another fabulous dinner with crispy snapper and the current 'hot dish' on both sides of the Tasman: Watermelon Salad.
Keep impressing us like this Auckland and we will have to open-up shop soon!

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House x Bloom Rebrand
House x Bloom Rebrand

After six wonderful years, our beloved local spot, House Bistro, has undergone a transformation, bringing both of their brands together under one new name: Bloom Potts Point. While the name may have changed, the passion and dedication of the team remain the same as they continue to bring a taste of Italy to Potts Point.

Discover Sydney Through Books
Discover Sydney Through Books

One of the key recommendations we make to our guests during our dining tours is to immerse themselves in a book on Sydney post-tour. As we journey between venues, we provide snippets of history about each precinct, enriching the experience with tales of the characters and venues that have shaped the city. Understanding these anecdotes not only adds depth to the journey but also enhances the overall entertainment of our guests during and after the tour. A good book on Sydney can offer a treasure trove of insights and stories that bring the city's past to life, making the present-day experience all the more meaningful.

New Player | bei
New Player | bei

Our newest addition to the Darlinghurst Dining Tour is bei bar and bistro restaurant, located in the iconic Taylor Square precinct, the heart of Darlo. The concept for Bei Bar & Bistro was conceived during a leisurely bike ride. Chef Felix Rutz, in collaboration with his partner Leigh Cholakos, was struck with inspiration as he pedaled past the vacant space next to the Oxford Hotel. Having run Darling Point institution Bei Amici for the past 16 years Feliz and Leigh did not initially entertain the idea of another restaurant venture, but they were both captivated by the potential of the location. Set in the ground floor of a historic early modernist building from 1923, the restaurant offers prime people-watching real estate overlooking the bustling square, showcasing the charm of a bygone era.

Ms.Cattea Tea Bar
Ms.Cattea Tea Bar

We are in love with the latest small bar in our hood Ms.Cattea, Sydney's only tea bar with an alcohol license. Housed in a beautiful, chic space at the fountain end of Darlinghurst Road as it turns into Macleay Street, Potts Point. The interior channels the owner and founder Cathy Zhang’s Chinese heritage, with elegant Mother of Pearl chandeliers above and bright red canisters of classic tea flavours lining the shelves behind the bar.

Dining in Aotearoa
Dining in Aotearoa

We are still processing our recent trip back to Aotearoa. After four years between visits there were a lot of changes on the dining scene of our original homeland. There are pockets of beautifully restored early century buildings with well-designed streetscapes - such as Britomart downtown and the hip, fun venues in the lovingly restored 19th Century St Kevin's Arcade on K'Rd giving us hope for a bright and innovative future of dining in Aotearoa.

New Player | Vermuteria
New Player | Vermuteria

It’s time to change-it-up in time for summer by adding Vermuteria - a modern day homage to old-school European wine and aperitivo bars - to our Potts Point Dining Tour repertoire. The warm, red neon lite room is located on the former site of Cafe Hernandez, a 24-hour Spanish Cafe that lived at the site for 50 years, on the lower half of Kings Cross Road.

New Player | Fortuna
New Player | Fortuna

Our newest addition to our Darlinghurst Dining Tour is Fortuna restaurant, located on the Darlo end of Victoria Street. Modern and stylish this dining room offers a unique and contemporary experience. The interior is elegant and sophisticated, featuring a fresh minimalist design with black and white décor, sleek furniture, and a beautiful lighting scheme that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Featuring street art and by-fold windows, opening out onto the street. Ideal on a hot summers evening for great people watching opportunities and soaking-up the laid-back Sydney vibe.

Celebrating Ten Years
Celebrating Ten Years

As part of our Tenth Anniversary online celebrations we raided the archives to create a gallery of our past events as a tribute to everyone who contributed their love and energy to the success of our curated dining events. Thanks to everyone in the online and IRL community for your thoughtful messages, comments and posts on our recent tenth anniversary. It’s heartening to know that we have enriched so many people’s dining experiences of inner city Sydney.

New Player | Dead Ringer
New Player | Dead Ringer

Our latest dining discovery, Dead Ringer, is on leafy Bourke Street in the heart of Surry Hills. Housed in a grand terrace house, with handsome wood joinery & leather upholstery, the two-sided dining room frames an equally handsome bar. The team has a genuine love of good hospitality and food paired with classy cocktails. We describe Dead Ringer to our guests as ‘a restaurant with a well-stocked bar’.

Christmas Gin by Four Pillars
Christmas Gin by Four Pillars

Last week we tried the amazing new Christmas Gin from Four Pillars Gin whilst on our Surry Hills dining tour with a lovely American couple. There is a sweet story behind the making of this spirit each Christmas. This gin is Cam’s tribute to four things he loves: Australia, Christmas, gin and his late mum, Wilma.