Three days in Sydney

I recently spent a glorious three days in Sydney, eating and drinking and falling in love with this most beautiful city. My darling friend had done his research and made sure that he had a number of good places lined up for my visit. I have already written about the amazing Buffalo Dining Club, the spunky Ms G’s and the super-cool Fratelli Paradiso but I also had a lot of amazing small meals and snacks along the way that I wanted to tell you about.

Gelato Messina

We have Gelato Messina in Melbourne, yes, but I don’t get to go there all that often because I have to get two trains. I do it, I catch two trains to get to their amazing gelato; but in Sydney their flagship store was just a short stroll from my friend’s house. I went there four times in three days. Oh yes.

When I first heard about the Gelato Messina dessert bar I was SO excited. I may have even threatened to start a petition to get one opened in Melbourne. On my first night in Sydney it simply had to happen.

Whereas at the regular gelato store (which is anything but regular) the amazing flavour combinations are ready to scoop, the dessert bar has a selection of dips and toppings to make your own sundae. Firstly you select a base- there are the traditional cones or cups as well as some exciting alternatives like waffles or profiteroles. They have rotating flavours of soft serve- it was toasted macadamia and blood peach when I visited. Then there is an array of amazing toppings and dips.

J had one of the recommended combos- Mrs Palmers Kisses with toasted macadamia gelato, honey marshmallow, candied almond, baileys sauce, creme anglaise & topped with a palmier ($9.90).

I went crazy and got blood peach and toasted macadamia gelato with chocolate peanut sauce, candied almonds, a caramelised white chocolate dip and fairy floss on top.

They were both delicious and the novelty factor was huge but I have to say the regular gelato is just such a flavour buzz that it is still my favourite.

Holm Cafe

Holm Cafe is a tiny hole-in-the-wall with very affordable prices and coffee as good as anything you will find in Melbourne. They have quite a big breakfast menu and a good range of rolls and lunch options. The girls that run it are absolutely delightful too.

Love, Tilly Devine

Love, Tilly Devine is an absolutely devine wine bar (see what I did there? 😉 ). Situated in a laneway (very Melbourne) the vibe is calm and relaxed and the wine list amazing. They have a bit of a focus on natural and minimal-intervention wines and I was like a kid in a candy-store trying to decide what I wanted to drink. Just lovely and pleasantly peaceful for pre-dinner drinks on a weekday. They also have a fab looking food.

Brewtown Newtown

Newtown is cool. There are lots of great independent shops and great cafes. Just off the main drag is Brewtown Newtown– food porn central and home of the brewnut (a cronut really but they have been told they are not allowed to call it that). I had the most delicious poached chicken salad with roast pumpkin, quinoa and goats curd. 

 And of course a brewnut with passionfruit curd.

Zumbo

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting great things from Zumbo. Zumbarons have to be some of the most hyped sugary morsels around and reality never lives up to hype. Or does it. I have to say, the hype was right.

From left to right: salted butter popcorn, berry brulee, malted milkshake, I completely forget (not actual name 😉 ), salted caramel and finger bun.

Crazy flavours that really worked. The standouts for me were the malted milkshake and the finger bun- which really tasted like cinnamon doughy fruit bun in a crunchy coating.

Li’l Darlin

We stopped in here for drink while we were waiting for a table at Buffalo Dining Club. And what a drink it was. The wine list is fabulous. I had a 2012 Chateau St Jean Chardonnay from Sonoma which I was terribly happy with (rich, nutty and buttery) until I saw J’s White Choc Passionfruit Martini (with cake-infused vodka). I was too busy talking my way into a taste (so damn good) I forgot to take a photo.  We also ordered a ‘Pocket platter’ with one each of their 4 puffed pastry creations.

From left to right: Mexican chilli chicken with sour cream; buffalo mozzarella, tomato and oregano with sundried tomato chutney; goats curd, spinach and pesto dressing; peking duck hoisin and shallots with orange glaze ($20). 

Just get a whole plate of the peking duck ones, the others are good but the duck is great. And a cocktail. Order a cocktail. 

That’s it for my Sydney reviews… for now. I can’t wait to wrangle my way back there 😉

Over to you dear ones, where should I be going next time?

P.S. If you are in Sydney or Melbourne don’t forget to enter my giveaway to win a $50 gifted voucher. Competition closes Sunday 18th January 2015 5pm AEST