Ormeggio at the Spit, Mosman

Located on the very busy Spit Bridge, it is the gateway between the hectic lifestyle of the city and the residential suburbs of the north. Where civilian yachts come in to dock at the end of the day and businessmen retreat for the holidays. More importantly it was where we were going that night. 

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Ginger and Spice, Neutral Bay

Mother's day is usually a special day every year for us. Before I was tutoring , I'd used to make my mum a full breakfast. Being Asian she hated stuff I made like bruschetta and eggs benedict and pancakes and souffles but I didn't know how to make Chinese food and I guess it's the thought that counts. Cute guy yeah yeah yeah I know. These days, why not let someone else do the cooking for you? After watching chef Alex Lee's Singapore chilli crab segment on food safari and coming back from Singapore, I knew a trip to his restaurant down Neutral Bay was in order.

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Deus Ex Cafe, Camperdown

Chocolate - Pudding. Uni - Stress. Motorcycles -Hells Angels Bikeys. Those are the first things that come into mind when those words are uttered. Not a good start when you're going to the haven of anything motorcycle related . Fortunately it's not the first time so it's a good ol' afternoon snack for us when there's not a worry in the world. Except assignments. Offfff course. I didn't forget about that...... at all.

Just a walk down from uni along Parramatta Road, it's a convienient distance away, albeit in the opposite direction from home. It's a great fitout; not even intimidating at the slightest. 

You've got to feel at home at the communal sturdy wooden tables, the seemingly impromptu flower arrangements, automobile memorabilia, a semi open kitchen and daily menu written on a chalkboard. It's a very casual affair and I like it.

Deus Beef + Gruyere Burger + Chips 18

My burger hunt brings me back to their always reliable burger. While on the smaller side, it definitely packs a meaty, really juicy punch. Their patty is cooked to a medium filled with herbs, a thick slab of juicy tomato, some lettuce and caramelised onion but what really brings it all together and makes this special is their use of nutty creamy gruyere that just acts like a binder of some bloody delicious meat heaven. I'm sad to see the disappearance of the kumera chips and aioli. What gives guys? I remember they were quite popular a while back. Their chips are well seasoned but really are nothing special, sort of reminds me of Mcdonalds fries.

French Toast with Maple Syrup, Strawberries, Poached Rhubarb & Fresh Ricotta

A good deviation from the usual affair of strawberries and cream is their French toast. They've got mild ricotta in place of the cream for one and poached rhubarb for another. I love the slabs rhubarb cooked down; it goes all sweet candy-like and stringy and it's just absolutely delightful with the burst of slightly tart strawberries to cut through it all and eggy toast to soak it all up. It's missing something more to aid in reducing that richness and sweetness; maybe a squeeze of lemon or balsamic would help it along.

Service is fairly quick but at times can be a little off even with a off-peak time slot and is a little on the impersonal side. When the day's been tough, this place always gets you going. A good, always-reliable visit for anyone around the area.


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Fish Place, Surry Hills

I'm always down Foveaux or Crown. I've got my go-to places whenever I don't feel like running the risk of ruining friends expectations through experimentation. Whether it's breakfast at bills or fouratefive (previously bird cow fish), lunchtime snack at el loco, a slightly more extravagant lunch at Marque's Friday special or Bentley or gelato at Messina or RivaReno; needless to say these two streets never fail to impress. Newly opened Fish Place catches my mine and I deviated from my usual lunch suspects to visit there one day.

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