Our newest addition to the Darlinghurst Dining Tour is bei bar and bistro restaurant, located in the iconic Taylor Square precinct, the heart of Darlo. The concept for Bei Bar & Bistro was conceived during a leisurely bike ride. Chef Felix Rutz, in collaboration with his partner Leigh Cholakos, was struck with inspiration as he pedaled past the vacant space next to the Oxford Hotel. Set in the ground floor of a historic early modernist building from 1923, the restaurant offers prime people-watching real estate overlooking the bustling square, showcasing the charm of a bygone era.
We are still processing our recent trip back to Aotearoa. After four years between visits there were a lot of changes on the dining scene of our original homeland. There are pockets of beautifully restored early century buildings with well-designed streetscapes - such as Britomart downtown and the hip, fun venues in the lovingly restored 19th Century St Kevin's Arcade on K'Rd giving us hope for a bright and innovative future of dining in Aotearoa.
It’s time to change-it-up in time for summer by adding Vermuteria - a modern day homage to old-school European wine and aperitivo bars - to our Potts Point Dining Tour repertoire. The warm, red neon lite room is located on the former site of Cafe Hernandez, a 24-hour Spanish Cafe that lived at the site for 50 years, on the lower half of Kings Cross Road.
Our newest addition to our Darlinghurst Dining Tour is Fortuna restaurant, located on the Darlo end of Victoria Street. Modern and stylish this dining room offers a unique and contemporary experience. The interior is elegant and sophisticated, featuring a fresh minimalist design with black and white décor, sleek furniture, and a beautiful lighting scheme that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Featuring street art and by-fold windows, opening out onto the street. Ideal on a hot summers evening for great people watching opportunities and soaking-up the laid-back Sydney vibe.
As part of our Tenth Anniversary online celebrations we raided the archives to create a gallery of our past events as a tribute to everyone who contributed their love and energy to the success of our curated dining events. Thanks to everyone in the online and IRL community for your thoughtful messages, comments and posts on our recent tenth anniversary. It’s heartening to know that we have enriched so many people’s dining experiences of inner city Sydney.
Our latest dining discovery, Dead Ringer, is on leafy Bourke Street in the heart of Surry Hills. Housed in a grand terrace house, with handsome wood joinery & leather upholstery, the two-sided dining room frames an equally handsome bar. The team has a genuine love of good hospitality and food paired with classy cocktails. We describe Dead Ringer to our guests as ‘a restaurant with a well-stocked bar’.
Last week we tried the amazing new Christmas Gin from Four Pillars Gin whilst on our Surry Hills dining tour with a lovely American couple. There is a sweet story behind the making of this spirit each Christmas. This gin is Cam’s tribute to four things he loves: Australia, Christmas, gin and his late mum, Wilma.
The first incarnation of Bang Tang started out on Llankelly Place - our favourite laneway in Potts Point. It was essentially a hole-in-the-wall lunchtime + early dinner salad bar, that was a big hit with the locals especially the gym bunnies. A couple of years on owner + operator Nat moved down to leafy Victoria Street and opened a casual eatery with al fresco dining and a lovely vibe on a summers evening.
