Steffi Eats Around Sydney: Part 1
Late August in Sydney brought about chilly winds which made for a nice stroll when paired with its bright and sunny weather and a fashionable scarf. Having stayed in Sydney for 7 nights meant that we were able to tick a number of its must-visit and must-see places but I felt like I barely scratched the surface of its dining scene.
FISH AND CHIPS
PONTOON’S FISH AND CHIPS (AUD 15.50)
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to squeeze in a visit to the Sydney Fish Market during our visit but I still made sure to squeeze in a couple of seafood meals in the trip. My first real meal in Sydney was in the sports bar Pontoon.
Pontoon's al fresco dining area offers a beautiful view of the Darling Harbour. Unfortunately, your food falls prey to the wild birds that populate the area just like how they viciously attacked my friend’s burger (thankfully, the restaurant quickly replaced it).
Fortunately, it had spacious indoor dining, which allowed us to enjoy our meal in peace. The Fish and Chips came with beautifully fried fish fillets with light and crisp batter that paired amazingly well with its dill mayonnaise sauce. It comes served with a whole load of fries that even I struggled to finish it. To make you feel less guilty, an arugula salad dressed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette is served as a complement.
QUAY CAFÉ’S FISHERMAN’S BASKET AND FLAT WHITE (AUD 23.60)
Just to change things up a notch, I opted for the Fisherman’s Basket in Quay Café. Although it did serve its own Fish and Chips; it was hard to say no to adding large pieces of scallops and plump shrimps into the mix. It does get a bit tiring to eat towards the end so it’s highly recommended that you order a stick of its Chicken Souvlaki to alternate with in between bites. These chicken skewers are packed with so much flavor that you’d dream of pairing it up with a steaming cup of rice.
Quay Café
Circular Quay Wharf 6, Circular Quay, Sydney
FLAT WHITE
TOBY’S ESTATE AIRPORT BRANCH
Prior to landing in Sydney, I made it a personal mission to grab a cup of Flat White at least once a day. Fortunately, endless coffee shops, from the independently run to the chain-operated ones can easily be seen wherever you go. If you can’t see them, the aroma of freshly roasted coffee would be impossible to miss. One interesting thing that I’ve noticed is that they usually charge more for cups dined in, rather than those taken out. Most cups are reasonably priced at around AUD 4 to 8/cup. The flat white’s I’ve consumed tasted relatively the same as I was accustomed to in Toby's Estate Manila.
DANIELI’S CAFÉ’S FLAT WHITE
Most notable would be my experience in Danieli’s Café. Its flat white was good, but it was the whimsical banter and booming voice of its owner which made a lasting impression on us. He wove a detailed story about how he used to operate a small coffee shop in Palawan and Boracay, only to find out that he hasn’t even arrived on our shores! Of course, being able to walk through its gorgeous sandstone buildings with a cup of good coffee in your hand makes its appeal charming!
Danieli’s Café
Clocktower Shopping Centre, 33-35 Harrington St., The Rocks
LA RENAISSANCE
A few steps away from Danieli's Cafe is a patisserie that you should not miss. You would have to queue up to have a bite of La Renaissance's baked French goods, but it's definitely worth it. Its Pork and Fennel Sausage Croissant (AUD 6) is highly recommended!
La Renaissance
47 Argyle Street The Rocks, NSW
EL PINOY GRILL
Just in case you miss a taste of home, the El Pinoy Grill will definitely cure your homesickness. Serving up freshly cooked classic comfort food such as Crispy Pata, Palabok, and Filipino Breakfast staples, El Pinoy Grill makes it difficult for one to decide on what to eat.
CRISPY PATA (AUD 10)
Perfect for sharing, their version of the Crispy Pata pleases the most discerning diner as the pork comes in a thin and crisp skin, lean but juicy meat, and a delightfully spiced mix of soy sauce and vinegar!
TAPSILOG (AUD 8)
The Tapsilog aims to fill the hungriest of bellies as it comes with an immensely packed huge serving of steaming hot rice. I love that the tapa's marinade had a blend of spice and tanginess, and a slight hint of sweetness.
El Pinoy Grill
Paddy’s Market, Haymarket, Sydney
HELM BAR AND BISTRO’S STEAK NIGHT (AUD 12)
It helps to be observant as you stroll along Sydney as a lot of its restaurants have weekday happy hour and dinner promos. For instance, Helm Bar and Bistro hosts AUD12 Steak Nights every Tuesday; which is a steal especially if you wish to have a bite of the famed Aussie beef at a cheaper price. I ordered a medium-cooked steak which turned out to be on the tough side. It was unfortunate as the steak was actually well-seasoned and beautifully charred. It was served on a bed of regular fries, and an arugula salad topped with parmesan shavings. I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant; unfortunately, they turned up the heater a bit too high that there were times that we were breaking into sweat already. All in all though, I had no regrets making this visit.
Helm Bar and Bistro
7 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour, NSW
YUMEI'S TEMPURA UDON (AUD 13.5)
If you're looking for reasonably priced dependable Japanese food, Yumei in Capital Square would be a good choice. It offers a wide variety of Japanese staples; from donburi bowls, to sushi rolls and even ramen bowls. I enjoyed its udon as it came in a slightly sweet soy base; and prawn tempura that's crunchy and evenly battered. I was just not a big fan of the sweet beancurd slices that came as a topping.
Yumei Japanese Restaurant
Capital Square Building, Ground Level, George St, Sydney
Photo Credit: Dani Dingcong
Dates of Visit: August 19-26, 2017 with John Cabrera, Mercy Carag, Dani Dingcong, and Julius Manolong
