First things first, after a sleepless night and a short flight, I needed to check in to my hotel to freshen up. While looking for hotels online, I was lucky enough to come across a place called Frasier Suites in Sydney. More of a serviced apartment then hotel, it's got all the amenities that you need. Separated room and living area, kitchenette, sun room for reading, gym, lap pool, what more could you ask for? It also costs less then most hotels in the surrounding area! Highly recommend this place if you are traveling to Sydney!
After I freshened up, I grabbed my bag and headed out for some drinks with an old friend, and to explore the city with the little time that I had. First off, I had to hit up the infamous Bondi Beach. The road running along side Bondi is filled with nice little shops, pubs, diners, and bars. Along the way, we decided to step into Ravesi's for a quick bite and beer. With its modern and simplistic decor, it was definitely a nice place to sit down for a quick meal. Instead of the crowded bar downstairs, we opted for a patio seat on their second floor overlooking the streets and the beach. It was a great way to start the night and fill my stomach with their delicious fresh made seafood pizza. The night then took us to a pub in the also infamous area of Kings Cross. Those of you who like shows about the dark side of the city may enjoy watching Underbelly which is based on this particular area of Sydney. The night then ended at a bar somewhere in the middle of an industrial area with FIFA projected on large screens, some KFC, and a bad case of itis.
The next day was reserved for the tourist in me. How do you go to Sydney and NOT see the Sydney Opera House? Of course I had to be a tourist with the big camera and roam around town. Here's just some of the highlights of my short stay.
My visit to the Sydney Opera House 2 decades later.
Love the cafes and restaurants that line the harbour.
The infamous Opera House. Ironically, my little niece and nephew that I have never met were performing with their orchestra in the opera house that same day.
After taking a walk around the Opera House, I decided to be a trooper and make the trek to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I must say, it was worth the trek. The bridge provided some of the most amazing views of the opera house. But before that could happen, I was caught under the bridge, hiding from the rain pouring down on me.
Pleasant little rustic area that I walked by while trekking towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The view while climbing up the stairs to the bridge.
Trapped due to the rain. Running for cover under the lookout.
With nothing else to do while waiting for the rain to die down, I decided to do the 200 step climb to the top of the lookout.
And finally the rain stops and I got to take my stroll across to the other side which resulted in this...
Aside from the great scenery, you can never leave a city without trying its great food! Fortunately for me, I have a relative who lives in Sydney and was nice enough to take me out for an amazing meal. For those who know me, they also know my obsession with Japanese food. After being deprived of good Japanese food in Adelaide for 6 months, I wasn't about to complain about the choice of cuisine.
Mino
Mino is quiet little Japanese restaurant located in Manly, Sydney. The intimate setting made it a great place to sit down and enjoy a quiet meal and indulge in the care they put into their service and every plate. Kaiseki sets start at $43, which is definitely worth every penny. With the slight convincing of my cousin, I decided to opt for the $59 Goshu Kaiseki that would definitely contribute to my expanding waistline.
To start off, a lime infused aperitif is served with a side of cucumber topped with tuna. The lime infusion definitely gets your mouth watering and kicks up the hunger scale in your growling stomach a notch.
Next comes the Steamed Prawns with Seaweed and Plum Dressing. The slight sweetness of the plum dressing is perfectly paired with the flavours of the steamed prawn.
Chef's selection of sashimi and sushi. The sashimi was definitely the freshest I've tasted in months, but the highlight of the dish goes to the oyster hands down! The flavours and freshness of the oyster was enhanced with the slightly sweet and acidic sauce.
The assorted entree platter presented 5 tasters. Not being a big fan of cooked fish of any kind, the grilled kingfish and Shimeji mushroom with ginger and soy sauce-mayonnaise in foil definitely left me craving for more. And as one who absolutely loves a good cut of mean, the wagyu beef tataki with ginger sauce was definitely a party in my mouth, and definitely one of the most tender pieces of meat I've had!
Of the 11 options you have for your main course, I chose the Sukiyaki Hotpot with Wagyu Beef. Just couldn't resist the calling from a good cut of beef. Absolutely amazingly tender and savory flavours tamed down with the raw egg.
And as every good meal should end with, even though at this point I felt like I may need to roll home, dessert was served. I chose pistachio and fig ice cream which was the perfect way to end the meal. As if that was not enough, on the side, they served fruit, panacotta, and chocolate covered with soy bean powder. They always say, there's a separate stomach for dessert! Thank god for that, because this was a lot to end a meal with!
MINO
521 Military Road
Mosman, Sydney
02.9960.3351
http://www.minomino.com.au/
I definitely wish I had more time to spend in this city, but maybe part of the beauty was that it left me craving for more.
Next stop: Taipei
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