Delicious.100: NSW takes out top honours in national awards list
Melbourne can keep its wine bars. NSW is home to more top restaurants than any other state in the country — boasting four of the top 15 restaurants as awarded by delicious. 100. SEE THE FULL LIST OF NSW’S TOP 100 RESTAURANTS
Sydney Taste
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sydney Taste. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne can keep its wine bars. NSW is home to more top restaurants than any other state in the country.
NSW boasts four of the country’s top 15 restaurants as awarded by delicious. 100, with Alberto’s Lounge, Quay, Cirrus and Momofuku taking out top honours.
“The Delicious 100 is designed to help you eat out well every week, and for every occasion. It’s really user friendly, it’s got a fresh point of view, with categories that focus on what our readers are really looking for when they book a restaurant,” delicious editor-in-chief Kerrie McCallum said.
Alberto’s Lounge took out NSW’s top restaurant, a decision McCallum said was easy based on the restaurant’s fit-out, drinks, energy and price.
“It’s exactly how people want to eat right now,” she said.
“It’s the place we have all kept going back to, lunch and dinner, since it opened earlier this year. Whenever anyone asks us where to go, it’s the place we always recommend.”
DELICIOUS TOP 15 NATIONAL RESTAURANTS
Tulum (VIC)
Arc Dining (QLD)
Alberto’s Lounge (NSW)
Quay (NSW)
Di Stasio citta (VIC)
Oakridge VIC
Gather at Coriole (SA)
Pilot (ACT)
Agrarian Kitchen (TAS)
Orana (SA)
Cirrus (NSW)
Momofuku (NSW)
Wills Domain (WA)
Franklin (TAS)
Hellenika (QLD)
AUSSIE RESTAURANTS WITH MICHELIN STAR POTENTIAL
It’s officially time to bring the Michelin Star system to Australia, says Aussie ex pat and celebrity chef Curtis Stone.
Stone was awarded his own Michelin Star in June for his Los Angeles restaurant Maude, which he opened in 2014.
The European organisation writes Michelin Guides to countries and cities listing the eateries deemed worthy of their star ratings — and receiving one can catapult a restaurant gastronomic and astronomic success.
Being awarded one, two or three stars is the greatest critical acclaim a chef or restaurant owner can hope for, but not one Australian restaurant has hit star status.
That’s not because none are up to standard — the Michelin Guide does not include Australia in its judging.
Stone found himself in the same predicament until this year when Michelin lifted a freeze on the state of California that had been in place for a decade.
“It’s like playing sport without keeping score, and then when you start keeping score it gets way more competitive and way more interesting,” he told Delicious Sydney at Coles’ Christmas with Curtis celebration.
“The amazing thing about winning a star is you feel very proud and it does amazing things for the team and everyone really comes together and then of course you want a second one so you try even harder.
“But you certainly don’t want to lose one so the pressure is really on.”
But as today’s Delicious Top 15 restaurants list shows, Australia is home to an impressive list of world class restaurants.
Stone said it was only when LA experienced a gastronomic revolution that Michelin deemed the city worthy of a tour.
He said not only should Michelin reconsider its decision to bring the star guide Down Under, he believes there are already venues that have three-star potential.
“I think there are restaurants here worth three Michelin stars,” he said.
“Definitely worth two and some worth one.
“Peter Gilmore’s restaurants are world class (Quay), Shannon Bennett (Vue de Monde), Ben Shewry (Attica) — there are incredible restaurants in Australia.
“I’d have to go back into those places with a more critical eye but certainly worthy of a look at from Michelin.”
Our casual culture may be the reason a look in has not happened yet or perhaps the French foodies simply aren’t aware of what is happening all the way down here.
“I think it’d be good for Australia because I think Australian restaurants really over index compared with what a lot of people probably think they do,” Stone said.
“Australia has a relatively casual dining scene so some people might think it’s not relevant, personally I think it is.
“They have broadened out, though, it’s not just fine dining anymore.”
EXTRA CRUNCH
Usually if there is a bug in your meal you’d it send straight back and strike that kitchen from your list of dining destinations forever.
But soon you’ll not only be eating those insects but paying for them too. Bugs — literal insects and not the sought-after Moreton Bay seafood specimens — are popping up on menus with experts citing the supper swarms as a viable protein source.
El Topo Mexican at Bondi went gung ho on authenticity when they added chapulines to the menu. Fans of Mexican fare will know chapulines are a type of grasshopper commonly eaten in Mexico.
They’re deep fried whole and seasoned afterwards. El Topo serve them as a dish of roast cricket, chilli, garlic and lime for $8 a pop.
And fun fact, they’re gluten free — although it would be kinda strange if someone eating insects for fun turned out to be finicky about wheat.
Alma at Avalon also has crickets on the menu in a couple of different forms.
They serve the Oaxaca Crickets in a similar style to El Topo — with flaked garlic, dehydrated chillies and lime for $9 (also gluten free).
Fascinatingly they also come in a salad — sauteed, not fried.
The garlic crickets salad comes with garlic and sauteed crickets (obviously) plus zucchini flowers, watermelon radish, green tomatoes and black bean puree for $16.
And for those asking, sorry, but eating crickets is exactly how it sounds — quite flaky and you can feel the different parts in your mouth as you crunch them up — what’s that in your teeth? A cricket leg. No shortage of drumsticks here, I guess.
Even so, in 2013 the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations advised that in future humanity will be required to switch from meat to bugs to support a sustainable future, so we better get used to it.
BEST RESTAURANTS FOR FOOD-LOVING FAMILIES
Parents know that finding the ultimate family-friendly cafe or restaurant is the holy grail of gastronomy.
Trying to decide where to go with children requires military grade recon work and a thankless checklist to tick off: is there a kid’s menu, does it consist of anything other than deep fried garbage, do they have high chairs, will the aisles fit a pram, do the tables have sharp edges at rampaging toddler head height, will you be shamed when the inevitable tantrum happens, is there alcohol for Mummy and Daddy?
The increasingly time-poor nature of modern life means mums and dads need to capitalise on family time in a way that is, yes, enjoyable for the children but somehow allows for parents to have a good time too.
It’s a delicate balance which Bondi Trattoria — announced as the best family friendly restaurant in NSW in the Delicious 100 on Sunday — has strived for, according to co-owner Alasdair France.
“We try to provide an environment that has a strong restaurant feel but everyone feels comfortable,” he said.
“Whether it’s the music, staff who are good with kids or a menu full of real food and not just nuggets.
“We take bookings from 5pm so even on a weeknight realistically parents can come in, feed the kids, feed themselves, have some drinks and be home in time to get the kids in bed at a normal hour.”
THE OTHER BIG WINNERS IN THE DELICIOUS 100
Best Family Friendly Restaurant: Bondi Trattoria
Best Italian restaurant: Alberto’s Lounge
Best Service: Quay
Best Chef: Cirrus
Best Sunday Lunch: Bert’s Bar and Brasserie
Best French Restaurant: Restaurant Hubert
Best Restaurant With A View: Icebergs
Biggest Climber: Nour
Best Japanese Restaurant: Sokyo
Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Yellow
Best Wine List: Mary’s Underground
Best Value: Pazar Food Collective
Mr France said their regular young foodies know he and co-owner Joe Pavlovich by name and even received a few early lessons on etiquette when they were in.
“One thing I love seeing — something I’ve never seen anywhere in my life — is the way parents use their dinners as a training ground for the kids on how to be polite,” he said. “Things like reminding kids to look at waiter when talking, saying ‘thank you’ and ‘please’ and the kids love it because they feel grown up.”
Apart from this Bondi Italian hotspot, Sydney still offers plenty of dining destinations where family time can still be fun.
GREYSTANES HOTEL
With a huge outdoor playground as well as a beer garden and sports bar with a pool table (also known as an adult’s playground), this western gem is perfect for families and even gatherings of several clans. They even have pram parking.
BANKSTOWN SPORTS
Just wandering around this mammoth complex would be entertainment enough for you and the kids — families can stroll through Little Italy complete with cobblestone and balconies, through to the Bavarian Express German train carriage, watch chefs make ramen noodles from scratch at Lucky Cheng’s. But more importantly there is the Monkey Mania indoor play centre with a 10m rock climbing wall, jumping castle, foam ball arena, climbing structure, slides, and kiddies’ electric go-carts.
COOGEE PAVILION
While Coogee Pav has more of a reputation for its rooftop bar and the stylish mob it attracts, a huge portion of the bottom level is a dedicated kid’s space with play equipment and oversized puzzles. The open layout around it means that Mum and Dad can keep an eye on the kids from a distance.
FORTUNE VILLAGE CHINESE RESTAURANT
The bright decor is enough to excite the youngsters but the staff at Fortune Village make it a fun experience for the little ones, giving lessons on how to eat with chopsticks and about authentic Chinese food and culture.
DRAGONFLY CAFE AT EDEN GARDENS
Teach the kids about plants and horticulture while grabbing a bite to eat. Located inside Eden Gardens a visit to Dragonfly Cafe is a great simple activity to feel a little closer to nature but without the logistical nightmare.
MATTEO
This Double Bay hot spot make their bambini pizzas in the shape of a Mickey Mouse head — does anything else need to be said?
THE NEWPORT
Another local icon, The Newport’s sprawling grounds and abundant eating options for youngsters make it an adventure for families.
DOWN IN THE DUMP(LINGS)
This scribe went to a Chinese restaurant on the weekend that had no rice and no dumplings.
To be fair I was not going to name them because there was a sign by the door that said “soft opening” but a quick check online shows that they have been open since August 19.
East Ocean Seafood Restaurant at Haymarket promises authentic Chinese and yum cha but you won’t find a single dumpling on their dinner menu and rice was going to be a 40 minute wait — and that was after mains had already been served.
Then after mains had been eaten, the greens came out. Greens for dessert anyone?
On the upside East Ocean has so much incredible live seafood on offer they are basically an aquarium and seeing VB listed on the menu as “Victoria Beer” did elicit a little giggle.
Plus, if you’re in the market for a $7888 bottle of Chinese liquor you’re in luck.
But no dumplings and no rice.
THE OLD DAGWOOD DOG GETS SOME NEW TRICKS
The classic Dagwood Dog is a bit of a sacred item on the old takeaway counter … but this Korean take on the battered Aussie battler is well worth checking out.
These creations from Myungrang Hotdog in Chinatown are made by popping a hotdog on a stick, battering, rolling it around in crunchy ramen noodles or chopped up hot chips and then deep frying it.
There are variations with cheese in the centre so you get a gooey, melty cheese moment after biting in or a squid ink creation too.
Smother in tomato sauce and mustard and you’ve just upgraded your perfect snack.