Saturday, June 20, 2015

Toros, Tapas and Bar - Darling Harbour, Sydney

Darling Harbour has so much to offer for old and young alike. For me its all about the food and drink. Where better to start the gastronomic tour than at Toros, Tapas and Bar.This delightful little waterside restaurant has a great deal going where each plate is $10. For that you get a plate of lightly fried calamari or two seared scallops plus eight other selections. My son and I tried everything on the "$10 a plate" menu and was extremely pleased with serve size and quality of food. The calamari being tender and fresh the scallops tasty and well presented.

Pick a dry night and sit outside and watch the world go by. The wine list is sufficient and bottled wine reasonable in price. All wait staff  have a strong accent and ours was from Asia, France and Puerto Rico. This just adds to the sheer enjoyment of being somewhere else and enjoying the best of Australia. OK Darling Harbour is a tourist location but roll with this, don't be scared to pay well for good food and a great time will had by all. Put me down for the $10 a plate deal any day.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

The Meat and Wine Co. - Darling Harbor, NSW

A visit to Darling Harbor on a fine sunny day is a joy to behold. Whether on business, holidaying or just a quick visit as was my case. This is a foodies heaven on earth. There are so many fine restaurants and cafes plus quick take away outlets you could never try them all. Not possible. But why would you want to. Think what excites you when out for a dinning experience and find the eatery which looks the most satisfying. We did.

While meeting up with my son, at Darling Harbor, who was there on business we scoured the banks until we found what looked promising. One night down. While on my own the next day looking forward to a new dinning experience I dropped into The Meat and Wine Co.  Thursday for lunch, who would have thought it would be so busy? It did appear to be inhabited by the business community. With hard floors and a full house this modern restaurants with rustic appointments can be awfully noisy. Add to noise of "us" dance music with its "thump, thump, thump" this may not be the place for a first date.

I liked the decor and add to this a view (if on a window seat or outside) of the harbor there is no good reason not to visit. The food being served certainly looked delicious. I stayed with fish and found the lightly battered calamari sweet and tender but the rockling was wet and not at all pleasant. This is a meat house so I would suggest go for the red meat.

The wine and beer list is extensive and the bottom end Sav. Blanc. I was supping was OK. The staff are most friendly and efficient with a desire to make sure you will enjoy your visit. Here is an unusual suggestion I have never made before. You must visit the toilets here. I was so impressed with them I took a photo. Do go. Definitely put The Meat and Wine Co. on your eating list. Apart from the calamari stay with the meat. Next time I will and I'll be back.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Lilo Cafe - Mornington, Victoria

If you want a casual pleasurable eat, down on the Mornington Peninsula, Lilo Cafe  may just fit the bill. This quiet old little cafe has a had a freshen-up inside. There is a theme in the colour scheme which is green. There is a 50s looking, huge image up on the back wall, of a one-piece clad beauty on a green lilo in a pool. Thus sets the theme. Everything is green and anything which was green has been purchased and placed on show here.

The food leans toward healthy. I wanted Eggs Benedict but a butter sauce is not allowed here. To me poached eggs on sour dough really needs something to moisten the plate. Eggs were good and the wild mushrooms well presented and yummy! Those we brekkied with also enjoyed their meal and coffee was good. A great spot to eat with panoramic views but can get noisy with hard floors and high ceiling. Parking is timed out front but side street parking is available. Try Lilo, its relaxed, foods good, staff are pleasant. What more do you want?