Orto have been there

Updated on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 7:55PM by Vix

Updated on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 12:02PM by Vix

One of the things that sucks about living on the other side of the world from your home town is that you miss some fairly momentous occasions. My regular readers may remember that I missed my sister’s 21^st birthday last year; this made me very sad, but it provided a good excuse to splurge on an extravagant meal for two at Tetsuya’s. Then in March I missed my Aunt Sally’s 60^th birthday hosted by my parents – the first ever gathering of the extended family from the NZ side in Sydney. And now I have been sent photos (along with rave reviews) from the opening night of my sister’s boyfriend’s new restaurant, Orto Trading Co.

Chris Low (some of you will have come to know him as the Windang King), Anne Cooper and Louise Hunt were the team behind Baffi & Mo cafe in Redfern; Anne and Louise were the co-owners, Chris the chef. They sold up last year and took Chris with them.

Turns out the folks that brought us Baffi & Mo, mustachioed cafe at the vanguard of the Redfern rush, also have green thumbs. Orto translates from Italian as 'kitchen garden' and the new bright and airy space in Surry is decked with sprouting bottles, tin pails of potted herbs and garden tools that hang above the kitchen pass. (Cleo Braithwaite)

Click to read more ...

Tetsuya's restaurant; a special occasion

On 10th November 2010 one of my favourite people in the whole wide world turned 21. Sadly, as I live on the other side of the world I missed the big day and the big party thrown in her honour a few days later. So I wanted to do something special to make it up. That special something was Tetsuya’s.

“Tetsuya's cuisine is unique, based on the Japanese philosophy of natural seasonal flavours, enhanced by classic French technique and the freshest possible ingredients.” It has long been considered among Australia’s top restaurants. It has won numerous awards, including restaurant of the year almost every year since 1992 from various sources,  best Australasian restaurant on six occasions, and a place on the world’s 50 best restaurant list since 2002, coming fourth in 2005 and fifth in 2006 and 2007. Until this year Tetsuya’s had retained three chef’s hats, the highest rating in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide (akin to three Michelin stars). I was disappointed to learn that it had lost a hat in the year I finally decided to go, but my friend Dash put a positive spin on it: “It will be even better; they’ve given him a kick up the bum."

Click to read more ...

Sufficiently satiated in Sydney

Following the side trip to NZ, I had 3 days left in Sydney to fit in a few last meals just to make absolutely sure that I would return to London with significant extra baggage, and I am not talking about the contents of my suitcase.

Like with my last Sydney post I am going to share a few images from each meal, with more details about the best later.

Rosso Pomodoro

Diavola pizza

Rosso Pomodoro – Italian cuisine (trattoria); Shop 90-91, 24 Buchanan St, Balmain, NSW, 2041; Ph +61 2 9555 5924

Marigold 

Garlic prawn gowgee; Prawn & scallop gowgee

Click to read more ...

76 dishes, 14 venues, 4 kilos, 2 weeks in Sydney

I have been eating out so much since I have been in Sydney that I don’t know where to begin. I would love to write about each and every meal and dish, but I am so busy eating more that I don’t when I will find time. There have been so many eating experiences that if I leave them to write up when I am back in London, I will still be discussing Sydney food by the time Easter comes round. So I have decided to provide a visual account, a few images from each place, with more details about the standout meals later. 

Din Tai Fung

Steamed pork dumplingsSteamed crab meat and pork dumplings

Din Tai Fung - Taiwanese cuisine; Shop 11.04, World Square Shopping Centre, 
644 George Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000; Ph +61 2 9264 6010

Click to read more ...

Not a turkey in sight

Hello, I have just woken up from a food coma.

I got to Oz safe and sound, so safely and soundly, in fact, that I am still waiting for something disastrous to happen. So far the only misfortune I have suffered is that I got sick on the day I left – swollen glands, headache, blocked nose and no voice – which is not much fun on a 22 hour flight. Now six days later I am still croaky and snotty because the ‘Christmas spirit’ (read excessive drinking) and flu don’t make for a very good match, but were both were unavoidable.

I can speak again now, but cognitive activity is still limited, so I am going to let the images do the talking. Show and no tell.

Christmas eve canapes

Olive, goat's cheese and roast cherry tomato tartlets 

Click to read more ...