Hola EST friends from New York City! 3 months ago, I jumped ship and hopped over to the land of hot dogs, bagels and fast food. Here is part #1 of Teresa’s NYC eats.

From the outside of the restaurant, the Burlington looks like a small, modern and rather unassuming location. The food was good. The company was good. The atmosphere was good. The service was good. I want to go back (again).

Nested in the back streets of Elizabeth Bay, near the back of Kings Cross, Blancharu is another gem worth trying in this area. Around the Kings Cross, Potts Point & Elizabeth Bay area, you will find most cuisines to your desire, and the quality is top notch.

In the recent past, Danks St Depot was my favourite sunday brunch haunt (note: the creamed eggs are to-die-for) but due to my recent desire to save and just plain ole laziness, I’ve had to cut this luxury out of my life. We’ve posted about Danks St twice before: For the early dinner’s club and of course, for brunch. This place is a personal favourite of mine and after a recent Christmas dinner here, I decide to make a second return.

With the abundance of japanese restaurants around Sydney, the experience I had at Emon was different. The service was warming and friendly, the food tasted healthy and interesting and the overall experience was fun (especially with the Badukan & Sake tasting set.)
If you’re in the area looking for some comfort food, Emon should be your pick.

This afternoon, I decided to do the new york-touristy thing and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and have my first sample of what’s been voted in a number of circles as New York’s “best pizza” at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. A reputation such as this, comes with certain things (i.e. lines, long lines). After braving the brisk early autumn weather to cross the bridge, my dining companion and I chose to brave the approximately thirty-minute long line outside for a chance to sample New York’s best.

This year, Restaurant Balzac was once again awarded TWO hats for the 2010 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards. Tonight, I was back for the ever-so-long awaited Hats off dinner for the Sydney International Food Festival.

Arriving a few minutes early on a friday night for a 8pm booking, the place was BUZZING with diners, a few on dates (I think!), various birthday celebrations, AND we were left waiting in the cold watching others munch on tapas, sip on sangrias, etc… My mouth was watering! After a few minutes wait, we were shown to our table at the back of the restaurant, more suited for the larger groups of diners.

V informed me of a great Japanese place in Neutral Bay. Yes, there are loads of Japanese restaurants in Neutral Bay, however this one was slightly different and more impressive. I should inform you all that I am a HUGE fan of NOODLES. I LOVEEE noodles, any type, any style, any dish. I’d pick noodles over any other carbohydrate. So when V informed me Jugemu & Shimbashi hand made their soba, I was sold!

“Hey, do you wanna chip in on some top-grade wagyu beef? It’s from the same wholesalers as where Tetsuya gets his beef and I have to eat a whole kilo of it!”, squeals V. “hmmmm tempting”, I think to myself “but not tempting enough for me to eat meat!”. Yes I don’t eat meat… only seafood. I am a pescetarian. So please note, I am writing in a subjective way… recalling the joy and excitement as I watch my roommates V and Tom devouring the wagyu with such delight.