Zen and I have now been officially dating for four years. I love you babe!

But I lied... about having made a reservation... and then I got caught out! So instead of going to Astral, I made an eleventh hour call to Aria Restaurant. They had one table available if we promised to finish by 7.45pm, or another available from 9.30pm. I frantically took the earlier table, and convinced Zen to speed into the city. Forty minutes later, we were parked on Macquarie Street, and wondered why the restaurant was only 60% full. So we took our time and admired the stunning Harbour views.

starters of goats cheese and tomato jam

As we sat down, starters of goats cheese and tomato jam were served, and our drinks order was taken. I've never been a fan of goats cheese, but the tomato jam and cumin seed crisp gave it a sweet savoury touch.

sourdough bread... warm -fresh from the oven! They also had a soy & linseed roll...

duck and beetroot consomme with house smoked duck and duck tortellini

twice cooked kurobuta sweet pork belly with caramelised apple, vanilla apple puree and balsamic... I love my Pork! I love the crispy skin... the fatty textures... and the luscious combination of caramelised apple and balsamic...

crisp skin barramundi with seafood ravioli, braised fennel and bisque sauce

side dish of the super creamy desiree potato truffle mash

braised daube of veal with madiera and mushroom consomme and baby vegetables

Zen and I at the table... with a little snippet of our Harbour Bridge view

I had the bombe alaska, which was pistachio and chestnut ice-cream smothered with soft meringue and served with pistachios and a citrus salad. The nutty texture of the pistachio complemented the sweet meringue, refreshing strawberries and citrus juices...

bombe alaska with pistachio and chestnut ice cream and a citrus salad

coconut sorbet and chilled paw paw soup with vanilla pineapple and roasted coconut

petit fours

Aria Restaurant
1 Macquarie Street
East Circular Quay, Sydney
Tel : (61 2) 9252 2555