I Don't Eat, I Devour

A cooler-than-cool sake bar with open concept kitchen cooking up some seriously good bites, Ante is walk-in only and worth waiting in line for. You might want to try a sake flight, or you might wish to part-take in some original, creative and absolutely delicious cocktails to start the night.  Using interesting ingredients with a Japanese slant, such as lemongrass infused Shochu, sake, rum and red shiso in the Enmore Road Sunset, or coffee infused shochu, Hoshiko, Cynar and walnut liqueur in the Ante Correctto, the cocktails at Ante will not disappoint and are not easily found anywhere else, so drink up.  Beef tartare, $26 The beef tartare at Ante is more like delicious beef mince, with smoky almond, capers and shaving of golden bottarga on top. It is tart, refreshing and light. Bonito Rillette, $24 Topped with shiso and rhubarb boshi, the bonito rillette is served with gorgeously crisply bread that perfectly balances the savouriness of the fish. Moreish and beautifully flavoured, gene

One of the most iconic restaurants housed in one of the most iconic buildings in the world, I was honoured to attend the wedding reception of some dear friends at Bennelong. Despite the weather being absolutely wild, it was a magical evening filled with love, laughter, and Midsummer Nights' Dream vibes. Here's the menu.  After some wonderful and decadent canapes, we begin the sit-down portion of the evening with a salad of pickled winter vegetables with rosehip, sheep's milk feta and red leaves. It is tart, refreshing, moreish and delicate.  When looking upon the ocean, one must taste the ocean. This entrée of sashimi scallops, oyster cream and pickled radish is seasoned with aged vinegar, virgin soy and seaweed. It is delicate, melt-in-mouth and gently savoury. The roasted wagyu fillet topped with cipollini onion and drizzled with wasabi emulsion is the best steak I have ever had. The meat is so perfectly cooked, the flavours so balanced, they all work together seamlessly

One of Sydney's most exciting new restaurant / bar combo in the heart of Newtown, Odd Culture boasts an excellent wine list and one of the best value banquets I have had. When stepping into the space, the lofty ceilings immediately transport you away from the bustling, slightly crowded streets of Newtown.  The anchovy cigars caught our eye, so we ordered some in addition to the generously portioned set menu. Crispy, delicate and savoury, the already complex flavours of anchovies are enhanced further by the addition of olive and taramasalata.  Anchovy cigars, $7 each The house bread is curiously named "beer bread". It is a house baked sourdough with house butter, which is rich and generously sprinkled with coarse sea salt. The fluffy bread is a wonderful start to the meal - especially if you're also washing the food down with a couple of cocktails.  As a refreshing first course, disks of cucumber is tossed in silky preserved tofu and salted chilli. The contrasting text