Food, Coffee and Wine

After one year (to the day) living in Sydney I can say that one of the things that I love the most about this place is the gastronomic culture of this city. Whilst I maintain that the (post dinner)  night life leaves a lot to be desired, if you like going out with friends for a great meal and a few bottles of wine this city will not disappoint you.

In a way it is one of the defining features of the Easter Suburbs where we live.  Good places are not cheap, but the ratio quality/price is not a gamble like it can be in other places. I am led to believe that this Food&Wine craze is a relatively recent phenomenon in Sydney and that Melbourne has historically led the charge. A freshy like me would not know.

The influences of a plethora of countries and immigration waves mean that the city is full of places that will leave you wanting to go back. Sydney does 'authentic' and 'fusion' to the t.
For instance, you will find here authentic Italian restaurants serving real Napoli style pizza like there are not left in Italy, together with innovative and adventurous establishments that leave you thinking why someone had not thought about that before. The Asian influence is very strong, which brings delicious flavors and possibilities.
In addition, after having lived in London for a long time, being able to grab great coffee almost anywhere has also been such a nice change.

Here are the highlights of my first year here. For more info and full reviews check out my TripAdvisor contributions at : http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-reviews/youngprofessionalUK

Also, there are still lots of places I haven't checked out - let me know what your favourites are.

HIGHLIGHTS (as of Dec '11)

Best Thai: Longrain, Surry Hills *****
Best Vietnamese: Miss G, Kings Cross ****
Best brunch: Yellow, Potts Point ****
Best coffee: Norton Road (Little Italy) ****
Best homemade pasta: A tavola, Darlinghurst *****
Best tiramisu: Mille Vini, Surry Hills ****
Best pizza: Pizza Mario, Surry Hills ****
Best gelato: Messina, Darlinghurst *****
Best cafe by the sea: Aqua Bar, Bondi Beach *****
Best people watching & coffee: Zinc, Potts Point  ***
Best customer service: Longrain, Surry Hills *****
Best casual dinner: Mad Pizza, Darlinghurst ****
Best fish place: Fish Face, Darlinghurst ****
Best restaurant for lunch in the CBD: The Lane, CBD ***
Best pre-dinner drinks: The Passage, Darlinghurst ***
Best lunch on the go: Saladworks, various ***
Best date restaurant: Concrete Blonde, Kings Cross ****
Best beer garden: Beresford Hotel, Surry Hills (Friday&Sunday) ****
Best gastronomic weekender: Hunter Valley ****