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Some questions our Doctor has already answered

Question: I’m after somewhere with a little cutting-edge style for two. Mains in the $25 range. Southern suburbs, preferably the Sylvania to Cronulla area (eastern Shire). Nick
Answer: Hi Nick

“Cutting edge” and “The Shire” are not phrases one often hears in the one sentence but, hell, I love a challenge and I’m here to help. I really like Blackwater at Sans Souci, which is kinda sorta Shire-ish and cutting edge if you mean smart Italian with a sleek, modern fitout. If you’re happy to have pasta as your main course — and the serves here are generous — you’ll get away with paying around $25. I’ve tried the tagliatelle carbonara with guanciale and truffled duck egg and it’s gorgeous, but there are other good pasta options in that price range. The other place that might work is The Nun’s Pool in Cronulla. It’s comfortably within your budget with a contemporary menu but is only open for breakfast and lunch.

The Doctor

Question: I'm looking for inner west fine food restaurants that are not going to break the budget (ie $20–$30 mains is good). The ambience, decor and location are also really important to us, so no dumps! Am I asking too much? Newtown, Balmain, Glebe areas would be good. Julie
Answer: Hi Julie

There’s plenty to choose from in the inner west. Two that shared the Sydney Eats Bent Fork award a few years ago both fit the bill. First is Blancmange for modern European and if you go midweek it’s BYO. Good service and pleasant, comfortable surrounds as well. The other one is Glebe Point Diner with a contemporary menu, a homestyle bent and an emphasis on organics. They do a fab roast chicken and bread sauce for your info. I also really like La Grande Bouffe in Rozelle for French bistro cooking and if you just pop down Pyrmont way, there’s another favourite, Blue Eye Dragon, another Bent Fork winner. It serves great Chinese/Taiwanese in a very smart room and there’s a good bottle shop next door. Finally, there’s Osvaldo Polletti in Leichhardt for really good, reasonably priced Italian and great service. That should keep you going for a while!

The Doctor

Question: Help! We are meeting some out of town friends + baby for brunch on a Saturday morning and I’m getting flustered trying to find a suitable spot not too far from the Sydney CBD. One friend has a gluten-free diet; the other is vegetarian. My hub & I like anything. We all love fresh, gorgeous food. Diane
Answer: Hi Diane

Calm down, the Doctor is here to help. I have the perfect solution for you. Bitton Gourmet, 37A Copeland St, Alexandria, Ph 9519 5111, has loads of good vegetarian breakfast options and can easily accommodate your friend’s gluten-free diet. I reckon your whole party would be lining up for the omelette with asparagus, tomato and crumbled goat’s cheese and there’s plenty to keep the kids happy too. Roomy pavement tables are perfect for parking strollers and you can even do a little shopping while there as this café is also a grocer. It’s really close to the CBD as well. Feeling better now?

The Doctor

Question: A staff night out in the inner west to farewell an important member of staff. About 50 people. Not too expensive but still reasonable food. Somewhere with an outdoor area would be good.
Answer: Wow. Fifty is a big crowd Katrina. When I hear that number, my first thought is Chinese, but not in the Inner West.

Lebanese is good for large groups as they can do banquets. We have two picks: Zenobia (102 Norton Street Leichhardt, Ph 9560 4131) has a huge outdoor area and bellydancers on weekends. Almustafa (Glebe Point Road, Glebe, Ph 9660 9006) has a cushion room. Both serve good food at very reasonable prices.

Other than that, the modern Greek restaurant Perama (88 Audley Street Petersham, Ph 9569 7534) has a function room that seats 55 and with enough notice chef David Tsirekis could do you proud.

Also Grappa (267 Norton Street Leichhardt, Ph 9560 6090) has a series of set menus for functions and would be well worth talking to.

Good eating, Katrina

Question: Hi, I need to find a restaurant for a group of up to 35 people. They are all from overseas, so I would like something in The Rocks/Circular Quay area with modern Australian cuisine. Are you able to help??
Answer: Thuy, well, don’t know how much you have to spend, but that area is home to the quintessential Mod Oz restaurant, Rockpool (107–109 George Street The Rocks, Ph 9252 1888). Seriously suggest if your guests do want to try this style of cuisine, that’s the place.

But that said, not too far away is Etch (62 Bridge Street City 9247 4777), chef Justin North’s second outlet (after Becasse) which is also a good example of the genre, and a few notches down in price from Rockpool.

If you want views with that, at Aria (1 Macquarie Street East Circular Quay, Ph 9252 2555) you can almost reach out and stroke the Opera House.

All these could handle your group – but don’t forget to give plenty of warning and remember you may have to work out a deal from a set menu.

Good eating, Thuy

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