I Don't Eat, I Devour

Since its opening at Crown Sydney, I have had several foodie colleagues recommend A'Mare to me, so when I finally found a fitting occasion, I was excited to try their degustation menu.  First, A'Mare is a beautiful restaurant. During the day it is bright and vibrant, overlooking the waters. At night, it transforms into something elegant and sleekly intimate. Another aspect that sets A'Mare apart from other restaurants is that there are a lot of table-side service, which adds another dimension to the dining experience.  Burrata caprese The burrata is presented whole and cut open at the table, then drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with pepper. It is a rich, creamy burrata with very little salt; accompanied by green tomatoes and salsa verde.  Focaccia The bread is, of course, served warm. Springy and pillowy, with a satisfying bounce, it is accompanied by Pugliese extra version olive oil and an aged balsamic that tastes mildly bitter - presented by staff and drizzled ta...

When Loulou opened a couple of months ago, there was a real buzz about this chic French bistro and boulangerie that makes what I consider to be the best baguette in Sydney, surpassing even my old favourite, Azuki Bakery. So when an opportunity came up to try the cuisine, I was curious to see if it lives up to the hype.  Chicken liver parfait, $18 This unassuming-looking liver parfait is my favourite dish of the evening. Beautifully creamy and smooth, the flavours wonderfully balanced, and paired with a soft, buttery brioche from Loulou's esteemed bakery, this is a fine way to start a meal.  Pommes Dauphines, $12 Fluffy, smooth, creamy mashed potatoes encased in a light batter and gently fried, this is the comfort food of one's dreams. Absolutely gorgeous - highly recommended with a drink or two. Speaking of which, the cocktails at Loulou are classic and well-balanced. I particularly recommend the Vieux Carre.  John Dory, $48 If I were to recommend one main dish only, this...

If you were to ask me where is my favourite CBD happy place for a quick escape, Hubert would be my immediate response. When I push open these heavy, huge doors and descend the dimly lit staircase with walls of little alcohol bottles (as though one were descending into a wizard's den), I feel the rest of Sydney - work, stress, relationship drama, the endless to-do lists - fade away.  To me, Hubert is an escape. It's where I'm comfortable enough to order drinks off menu, watching the candles burn slowly, while listening to the house jazz band play. The conversation there are always in low murmurs - all that is to say, Hubert is one of those places where escapism is easy.   Having introduced my happy place to my brother, he was appropriately excited when I suggested that I took the family there for his birthday. Half dozen oysters, $36 As one would expect, the oysters supplied to Hubert is fresh and plump. The real winner and that which makes enjoying oysters at Hubert mor...