The Beresford Hotel, Surry Hills

It’s not often the group of friends and I chill out at a bar, nibbling on some food and downing a few drinks. I suppose you could say it’s because of our location that the trek to the city does become a burden, especially with those who have to be designated drivers for the evening. But this is an exception as we are celebrating the boy’s birthday.

El Loco at the House, Sydney

A collaboration between the Merivale Group and the Opera House sees a pop up El Loco location with one of the best views of our Sydney Harbour on the Western Broadwalk. Mexican Cantina style food with an incredible view? There’s not much more that can be asked for.

Ms. G’s, Potts Point – Revisited

It’s that time of the year again with December being filled with lots of festivities. Not only is it Christmas and New Years, but for me, it’s my anniversary with the boy and my birthday. I suppose that just means lots of celebrating and eating out? Ha, kind of! December kicked off with a revisit to Ms. G’s for an early birthday celebration and to spend some quality time with the boy, and his sister and brother in law who recently got married. Our guests have been wanting to go to Ms. G’s for a while so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to take them. 

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.

Mad Cow, Sydney

The boy arranged for us to have an early Valentine’s Day dinner so as to beat the rush before the weekend kicked in. For us it was more of a normal date and somewhere during the night we exchanged the words “Happy Valentine’s Day” (and gifts – unromantic but practical gifts). What I appreciate more than anything, though, is the fact that the boy went ahead and organised to have dinner at Mad Cow all on his own. Usually it’s me who does all the research and booking so it was a nice suprise for me.

Ms. G’s, Potts Point

Ms. G’s was on my to-go list for months. We had planned to go multiple times but it just didn’t happen. When my relatives came over from the USA a couple months ago, I really really wanted to take them here (as it was on their to-go lists also) but things just didn’t go according to plan, again!