Restaurants in Pacific
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Tibetan Kitchen
Launch into a variety of zingy curries at this colourful restaurant serving Tibetan, Sherpa, Indian and Nepalese food. For larger groups, the banquet is the way to go. Afterwards, the Brunswick St Mall nightlife is a short stroll downhill.
reviewed
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Gill’s Diner
Tucked up the back of the Commercial Bakery, Gill’s postindustrial pastiche is an immediate charmer. Add old vinyl and freshly baked bread to the mix and it makes for an archetypal Melbourne moment. Lunch can be as simple as smoked salmon and prosecco; dinners are hearty, simple European fare – squid ink pasta, cotechino duck – done with effervescent flair. Details are attended to: the clafouti (custard) is individually baked to order and made with the most deliciously sour cherries.
reviewed
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Flaming Bull Steakhouse
Among so many great places to eat, one expects to choose some fab French cuisine. But Flaming Bull's eye fillet on mash is impossible to beat. Add the big hug from the waiter and the outrageous atmosphere and you too will keep coming back. Vanuatu beef is good - organic from contented cows that graze around coconut plantations - but then the seafood is straight from the water to you, so the coconut-crumbed prawns are tempting. There's live music later, with local bands playing mellow love songs.
reviewed
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Grossi Florentino Grill
The Grill won’t wow you with culinary curiosity, but it does offer an authentic regional Italian menu with metropolitan flair and great produce. The Cellar Bar next door is brooding, intimate and affordable: a great place to have a quick bowl of pasta and a glass of pinot grigio. Service is snappy and professional. If you’re into grand statements (with mains hitting the $50 mark), upstairs is an opulent fine dining stalwart.
reviewed
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Shakahari
Shakahari’s limited seasonal menu reflects both Asian and European influences, with dishes made from great produce. Established over 20 years ago, and bedecked with a wonderful collection of Asian antiques, Shakahari takes its mission seriously. If the weather is in your favour, ask to be seated in the palm-fringed courtyard. The curries, tagines (spicy Moroccan stews) and noodle dishes are delicious, whatever the setting.
reviewed
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Casa Italia
This Italian restaurant run by an Italian lady is tucked away in a small shopping centre. It opens onto a courtyard surrounded by plants. The pizzas and pasta dishes are simply delicious. It also serves Italian wine. Bookings are recommended as it is often full. It's about 1km from the beach at Anse Vata, on the right just after the Shell station, which is on the left as you head away from the beach. It's off a car park.
reviewed
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Small Block
In this village-like strip of shops, Small Block acts as the community centre; its neighbourly drop-in and stay-awhile vibe is a hub for local activity. Big, beautiful breakfasts (eggs and otherwise) are worth writing home about. Salvaged service-station signage and concrete floors, plus warm and efficient service combine to make a super environment in which to write postcards home too.
reviewed
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Blue Chillies
The dark-wood shelving artfully stacked with Asian produce makes for ambient casual dining at Blue Chillies. For entrée try the ikan billis (fried whiting in sambal) followed by a piquant, creamy laksa. Meals come in quick succession, so if you want to linger, let the obliging staff know. You can BYO wine or swill from the decent varieties on offer.
reviewed
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Jackman & McRoss
Be sure to swing by this conversational, neighbourhood bakery-cafe, even if it's just to gawk at the display cabinet full of delectable pies, tarts, baguettes and pastries. Early morning cake and coffee may evolve into quiche or soup for lunch.
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Maggie Beer's Farm Shop
Celebrity SA gourmand Maggie (have you seen her on The Cook & The Chef on ABC TV?) has been hugely successful with her range of condiments, preserves and pâtés. The vibe here isn't as relaxed as it used to be, but stop by for some gourmet tastings, an ice cream, cooking demo or a hamper of delicious bites. Off Samuel Rd.
reviewed
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Orbit
Shoot up to this murderously cool revolving Goldfinger-esque bar, offering killer cocktails and views to die for. Sink into an Eero Saarinen tulip chair and sip a kung fu mojito while all of Sydney is paraded before you.
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Doyles at the Quay
Here is another slick, well-placed branch of the Doyles empire, offering outstanding views of the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay in general. On a sunny day, snag a breezy promenade table under a white umbrella and enjoy the massive-portioned (and wallet-emptying) fish and chips - life doesn't get much better than this.
reviewed
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Watt
On the lower level of the Powerhouse arts precinct, Watt serves award-winning modern Australian fare. Start with the Queensland spanner crab or crispy duck salad before moving on to lamb striploin, seafood pasta or the daily catch perfectly grilled.
reviewed
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Bar Reggio
Most of East Sydney’s celebrated Italian restaurants have closed or gone upmarket, but blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Bar Reggio has retained a beautiful budget atmosphere. The walls are plastered with Ferrari flags and Rome murals, and the pasta, pizza, meat and fish dishes have stood the test of time. Closed on Sundays (church!).
reviewed
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Café Melba
Old school through and through, this dim and moody café has businessfolk clustered at its teeny tables both inside and out on Vulcan Lane. At breakfast, there is Eggs Benedict done three ways: veg, regular and with salmon. Or dip your spoon in delectable stewed fruit or porridge. Later at lunch, the menu moves to bagels and curries.
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Café Mediterranean Bar Doppio
Alice’s locals duck down this laneway for huge and wholesome home-style breakfasts (eggs any style, pancakes), pita pizzas, burgers, pies and salads. It’s also a favoured meeting place for well-made coffee or fresh-pressed juice, either in the shade of the covered arcade or inside with local-events flyers wallpapering the walls.
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Daikoku
In a feed-off between Ichizen and Daikoku, we narrowly chose this to be the best Japanese restaurant in Moresby - outstanding! The sushi, sashimi and other Japanese favourites are very good. At dinner, chefs will prepare your meal on a hotplate at your table with great skill and showmanship. Also serves lunchtime bento boxes.
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Baker D Chirico
The Baker’s sourdough is some of the city’s finest. Stock up on house-baked granola, or stop for a coffee, rhubarb danish or a calzone. Beautifully designed packaging (look for the boxed nougat) spreads the good taste around, and their footpath seating is some of the neighbourhood’s most popular.
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Agnes Curran
It may sound like someone's maiden aunt but this cute little cafe is much more hipster than spinster. Still Aunt Agnes would appreciate the cake selection and fresh baguettes, although the super-strong coffee might set her heart aflutter. Enter Franklin Rd.
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Hugo’s Bar Pizza
This indoor-outdoor neighbourhood nook has long been seducing pizza fans with its delicious discs and home-style Italian fare; try the puttanesca pizza. The marble-fronted bar and sunken velvet lounge spell luxury, but the menu won’t break the bank. If you feel like a drink, head to Hugo’s Lounge Bar upstairs.
reviewed
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Lounge
Upstairs is a student stamping ground where the next generation perfect their pool and social skills. No-fuss bar service and a scrummy pub-style menu keeps them seated. Monday nights you ‘pay the time’, so if you order at 6.30pm your dinner will cost $6.30. Downstairs the menu is more refined and atmosphere more subdued.
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Longrain
Inside a century-old, wedge-shaped printing-press building, diners slurp Longrain's signature modern Thai specialities, such as pork and prawn-filled eggnet or caramelised pork hock with chilli vinegar. Sip a Thai-inflected cocktail at the bar afterwards.
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I Carusi
Find out how pizza became so popular by tasting the definitive version. I Carusi does thin, crisp crusts without too much adornment. Synergetic combinations of toppings, as well as basic classics, are at the centre of all tables here. I Carusi is BYO and fills up fast, so book ahead or come early. Cash only, no cards.
reviewed
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Aki's
The first cab off the rank as you walk onto Woolloomooloo's wharf is Aki's. And you need walk no further: this is beautifully presented, intuitively constructed high-Indian cuisine, supplemented by a six-page wine list showcasing local and international drops by the glass or bottle. The Kerala chilli beef is a simmering sensation.
reviewed
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Marios
Mooching at Marios is part of the Melbourne 101 curriculum. Breakfasts are big and served all day, the service is swift and the coffee is old-school strong.
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