Animal, Los Angeles – California, USA

This was one dinner that was planned from the get go, and the only dinner booked in for us whilst in LA. My cousin has told me all about it for the longest time and I was super excited to finally get the chance to go. It wasn’t just because he said so, but it was what was on the menu (which changes seasonally) that had my eyes popping out of my head.

Sepia, Sydney

For my birthday, the boy organised for us to go to Sepia. He had it booked over 7 months ago to ensure we had no issues of finding a place to eat, especially considering it was going to coincide with all the other celebrations during the festive season and Christmas parties. Having it booked so long ago, it really didn’t hit me up until we had to plan our December weekends as they were getting booked out like no tomorrow.

Mr Wong, Sydney CBD

Mr Wong is a new venture by the Merivale team led by Executive Chef Dan Hong, Head Chef Jowette Yu and Head Dim Sum Chef Eric Koh. It is the new kid on the block offering modern Cantonese-Chinese food, ranging from your dim sum (or yum cha) to roasted meats to chinese influenced main dishes.

Hartsyard, Newtown

The inner west of Sydney is not somewhere I travel to very often, more so because it is a bit of a trek and well, I’m in the City 5 days a week already. It’s a place where I would love to visit more often and explore but sadly it is too out of the way. I envy all those that live in the area and sometimes wish I lived there myself, but out west is home for me. The trek to Newtown this evening is for a friend’s birthday, and a catch up that was well over 6 months over due.

Warning: Photos were taken with my iPhone – my camera batteries died. Nooooo! So excuse the grainy-ness. Sigh.

Chiswick, Woollahra

Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan have come together to create this absolutely wonderful restaurant and bar in the Chiswick Gardens in Woollahra. It is a casual yet contemporary place where one can enjoy the food made from fresh and seasonal produce, and/or to have a quick drink at the local bar.