Italian

I've been eating a lot of Italian lately because I've just watched the entire five seasons of Kitchen Nightmares. It's weird that I always feel like I don't have enough time to do things, when somehow, I managed to watch... Continue reading Pizza e Birra re-visited »

One of the greatest joys of working with restaurants is definitely the part that involves eating. Thankfully, there are many opportunities for that - after food photo-shoots, concept tastings, and at special events such as this, where months of planning... Continue reading 100 Mile Degustation at Cibo e Vino »

Not much of a celebrity chef groupie (not that Jamie Oliver is ever physically at this restaurant), I thought I was going to wait this out one. I mean, who really has the time to wait an hour and a... Continue reading Jamie's Italian, Sydney »

With a new home to decorate and a new neighbourhood to explore, I haven't cooked at all in the last three weeks. All my energy has been sucked into packing and unpacking, and my creative juices have run a bit... Continue reading Il Baretto »

I've been having some pretty awesome days. Some involve me being in the same room as my heroes Anthony Robbins, Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki and others have been just pure indulgent. I'm all about slowing down in life lately... Continue reading Cafe Sopra »

Options are aplenty when it comes to breakfast in Balmain, and two spots I really really like are Kazbah and Pizza e Birra. Over the last few years, Kazbah has become rather renowned for its breakfast banquets where for $25... Continue reading Breakfast in Balmain - Kazbah and Pizza e Birra »

Since leaving the corporate ladder, I nowadays rarely dine in the CBD on a weeknight. But on this particular occasion, I was invited to check out the newly opened Vessel Italian which sits on the ground floor of the Macquarie... Continue reading Vessel Italian »

Located in northern Italy, Lombardy stretches up towards Lake Como and down to Milan. The region is home to many rich, regal dishes such as golden risotto alla Milanese, rice cooked with saffron; ossobuco, a marrow-filled knuckle of veal; and... Continue reading A culinary journey through Lombardy at Casa Barilla Cooking School »

Guess what? The winners of my recent Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream giveaway have just been announced and I already have another fantastic competition lined up for you! The lovely people at Wasamedia and Alio Restaurant have invited me to... Continue reading WIN pasta making classes at Alio Restaurant! »

After splurging so much on all these fabulous meals within the first few days of this trip to Melbourne, I thought it was time for a serious cheap eat. Papa Gino's on Lygon Street is a straightforward restaurant at the... Continue reading Papa Gino's on Lygon Street, Carlton, Melbourne »

All day breakfast - coffee and fresh juice What I've been doing a lot of lately, is surrounding myself with other motivated and passionate individuals who have left their secure full-time jobs and are doing their own thing. There seems... Continue reading Pieno »

Two months ago, I turned 25 and there was plenty to celebrate. In between all the drama of a quarter-life-crisis, I'd resigned from my day job to pursue the free-spirited life of an entrepreneur. So the last thing I wanted... Continue reading Turning 25 at Velero »

I'm a big fan of Time Out. I would never visit a city without first consulting the local Time Out guide. Time Out Sydney's Food Awards 09 winners were announced this week, so let's see who made the cut: People's... Continue reading The best of Sydney, according to Time Out »

Merivale's Winter Feasts have many talking -about its irresistable value for money and its risqué adverts. It is of course the follow up to the March into Merivale campaign where Justin Hemmes first convinced his top chefs to get their... Continue reading Ash St Cellar & Merivale Winter Feasts »

I've been back in Sydney for almost a week now and if there was one country I wish I had spent more time in, it would be Italy. Due to the train strike in France, I spent an extra three... Continue reading Eating in Italy »

From first appearances, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was just an average senior's bowling club bistro. Oh, how wrong I was! Zen's workmate DC has been a local at the club for decades and even celebrated his 50th birthday... Continue reading Wiseman Park Wollongong City Bowling Club »

Last Thursday, I was invited to attend the launch of Way2go, a bi-monthly user-generated magazine backed up by NRMA which offers inspiring and entertaining stories, personal tips and advice from passionate travellers. Call it Magazine 2.0 if you like.... Continue reading Way2go magazine launch party at Mezzaluna (and my first giveaway!) »

Restaurant 373 is a relatively new restaurant that works. Local fresh produce, warm furnishings, great casual service, funky appetisers and a fabulous 8 course degustation. We started off with olives, garlic popcorn and chilli grissini... And then slapped on lots... Continue reading Restaurant 373, North Hobart »

Mmm... I have a new addiction. Pastizzi Cafe in Newtown is the modern day version of 1950's Maltese Cafe on Crown Street in Surry Hills. It is still a family run business and it shows in their friendly service. They... Continue reading Pastizzi Cafe, Newtown »

Some time last week, I was invited to dine at one of Norton Street's new pizza joints... operated by my sister's colleague's brother-in-law. Ha! That was a mouthful... I was pleasantly surprised at the cosiness of the restaurant; the interior was long and terrace-like. The original rustic steel frames were exposed, complimenting the orange and beige hues. We sat further inside, away from the large mirrors -ensuring that none of us would be preoccupied with checking ourselves out. Continue reading 7ettimo »

On this extremely late Sunday afternoon, we decided to brunch at Bello. I've been here a couple of times before and have loved their generous servings and location. It's a fabulous excuse to impulse shop, although you might not be in the mood after paying almost $10 for a bowl of wedges with sweet chilli sauce and sour cream. Continue reading brunch at Bello's »

Machiavelli needs no introduction. It's reputation has been flourished by the high rollers and politicians of Sydney and with that, expect to pay the high prices. Continue reading Machiavelli »

Rocket Restaurant is one of those places you always talk about revisiting. They've got a sophisticated menu and a relaxing yet stylish interior. However, there's nothing really much beyond that. The service seems to suit chatty regulars... and to my surprise, the amazing dukkah and olive oil has now been replaced with room temperature bread and butter. Continue reading Rocket »

For just $65, we stuffed ourselves silly. Thankfully, all the calories were burnt off by the end of our 7 hour Poker game. Continue reading A feast before a long game of Poker »

Fifteen Melbourne. It's the restaurant from TV. It's Jamie Oliver's. There's definitely a novelty factor to dining at Fifteen -which explains the set-up of a reservation line and the long waiting list! Two months ago, when Zen and I were planning our next trip down to Melbourne, I persuaded him to make a booking for dinner. And so here we are. It wasn't dinner... but we felt pretty lucky to have scored a table for six for lunch (considering that the weekend coincided with the F1 Grand Prix and the FINA World Championship). Melbourne was busy. Continue reading Fifteen Melbourne Restaurant »

Scusa Mi was awarded one-hat in 2007's Good Food Guide. They also boast their own lavel of extra-virgin olive oil, breath-taking views of the Yarra River, and a menu which names all the finest ingredients. Continue reading Scusa Mi Ristorante »

What else could have brought me to Brunswick Street but the Alannah Hill factory outlet! Brunswick Street is probably the King Street (of Newtown) or the Oxford Street in Sydney. So we snagged a seat in the open terrace and watched the Brunswick Street crowds walk on by. Continue reading The Fitz @ Brunswick Street, Fitzroy »

Merry Christmas! Last night, I was put in charge of our family's Christmas dinner. So instead of last year's roast, fresh prawns and lobster mornay, I decided to stock up on some oysters, scallops and green king prawns. I also did the gingerbread baking a day in advance! Continue reading Christmas dinner @ home »

Jet Bar/Cafe is neatly tucked into the front of the Queen Victoria Building. After confirming there was available seating, we soon crawled up a steep twist of stairs, and were led to a poorly lit table. The service was cold and unattentive... it must have been at least 40 minutes before our lunch arrived. Continue reading Jet Bar/Cafe, QVB »

Cellini's Bar and Restaurant offers cafe style food inside the glorious (and historic) QVB. We ordered the fettucine carbonara and a roast capsicum and zucchini melt to share... The fettucine carbonara was the perfect serving size for one. The pasta was al dente, and was intertwined with a sublime creamy pesto sauce. Continue reading Cellini's Bar and Restaurant, QVB »

It's been a while since I've been to Leichhardt... and there was no better way to spend Saturday night than with a few girlfriends and some tasty pastas and grills. Parking was a breeze inside the Italian Forum carpark, which was $12 flat rate for entry after 6pm. The Italian Forum was packed with groups of families, friends and couples. It was a cheery atmosphere filled with loud conversations and laughter. The service was flirtatious but efficient. Continue reading Italian Forum, Leichhardt - Cafe La Vigna »

On a breezy spring evening, Zen and I strolled along King Street Wharf seeking a warm dinner to satisfy our grumbling stomachs. Casa Di Nico looked so warm inside, and the idea of hearty pasta and seafood locked in our choice. Continue reading Casa Di Nico »

The establishment was hard-to-miss, though it lacked signage. The interior was airy, with large warehouse windows, cemented ceilings and basic wooden chairs and tables (we sat on the only round table). We were firstly served complimentary bread and organic extra virgin olive oil. The bread was excellent. For main's, I ordered the Maccheroni which was served in fresh tomatoes and basil. The crispy eggplant was awesome and wasn't one bit too oily. Continue reading Pizza e Birra, Surry Hills »

Red Star is a small pizza cafe on Bourke St, Waterloo. Continue reading Red Star Pizza Cafe, Waterloo »