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.

Orto Trading Co, Surry Hills

A free Saturday calls me rounding up some of my girls for a much needed catch up. Being the undecisive bunch of ladies we are, I go ahead and suggest a couple places. A trek to Surry Hills is always on the cards, but it’s just a matter of where. Decisions, decisions. And the winner is Orto Trading Co.!

The Norfolk, Surry Hills

It always excites me when we have a free Saturday which means being able to venture to places to tick off our to go list. We call a few friends to eat and chill with us, also showing them what our city has to offer. With my liking of the Drink and Dine Group so far, I thought it would be a great opportunity to try another. We make our way to The Norfolk in Surry Hills, ready for a good pub feed.

Blancharu, Elizabeth Bay

Tucked away in Elizabeth Bay is Blancharu, a French-Japanese inspired restaurant run by Chef Haru Inukai. By day, treat yourself to a special lunch menu or a bowl of ramen from Monday to Thursdays 12pm-2pm only; or by night indulge yourself with an amazing dinner menu with a 5 or 7 course degustation available.

Mexico: Food and Liquor, Surry Hills

An unofficial Christmas lunch with some uni girlfriends brings us to Mexico. Sadly, not literally. I wish though. This new kid on the block is situated where the late District Dining used to be (still sad I didn’t get the chance to visit). Mexico first started in New Zealand (that sounds really wierd) with two places already established, and branched out offshore here in our Sydney Surry Hills streets.

Queenies, Surry Hills

Queenies is the first restaurant that I have dined at that belong to the Drink and Dine Group. The company, led by Executive Chef Jamie Thomas, has under their belt The Abercrombie, The Carrington, The Norfolk, Santa Barbra and The Forresters, all of which are on my to go list and have yet to tick any off.  Sad face. Queenies is a Jamaican bar and kitchen that is located above The Forresters and takes you to a place where you’d always dream of going, somewhere in the Caribbean.