A Travola, Darlinghurst, Sydney

When I was a kid growing up in Sydney, there was a secret French artist who 'painted' the silhouette of a beautiful lady, seen from behind with arms outstretched. She usually had a fitted red dress and cropped black hair, and she always had her pet cat with her. Her arms and legs were like slender tentacles swaying from her body. I say he 'painted' her because he put this evocative image on a variety of street surfaces around the eastern suburbs - in particular one alcove on Edgecliff road. He seemed to use oil crayons, paint, chalk - a whole variety of materials. I considered her to be 'my lady' when I was young, although now I know that many Sydney-siders consider her as a friend of their own. Then one day I noticed the artwork was fading and not being refreshed ~ my lady wasn't popping up unexpectedly in secret city-scapes. 

Years later I found my lady in an art studio in Darlinghurst. It turns out the artist named Bruno Dutot had left Sydney for a few years, but returned and taken his lady off the streets and on to the canvas. I was lucky enough to receive one of those canvases as a Christmas present from my husband that year ~ I've had to leave her at home in Australia so that the oil paint doesn't get damaged, but now when I'm visiting home my lady follows me around my house.

The reason I tell this story, is because A Travola is just across the street from where Bruno's Studio was - it brought a lot of fond memories flooding back!

I visited A Travola with two friends, after a week of serious eating. We were feeling worn out, and a bit sceptical of any menu. We sat at the long, continuous wooden dining table that runs the length of the dining hall, and immediately started accepting our stern instructions from the European waitress. She went about her business with a level of seriousness that caused us not to question her, and to focus with furrowed brows on our menus.

The pasta selection was interesting and fresh, and there were some light but unique salads in there that caught my eye too. We settled on sharing some plates, and then proceeded to chatter amongst ourselves, hoping not to encourage the wrath of the waitress. She wasn't unfriendly, just unrelenting in her seriousness about the menu!

I don't recall being particularly full or bedazzled by the meal. It was alive with ingredients and benefited from being served al dente, but I was definitely left wanting. Perhaps that was a good thing considering the quantity I had eaten already that week!

However. . . desert blew my socks off. It came served in a coffee cup, and the fearsome waitress explained that it was best experienced by scooping your spoon directly to the bottom of the cup, and collecting a little of each layer of the desert on you're way back out. She was not wrong. Creamy and delicious is all I can say. I wish we'd ordered 3 of them, but I felt guilty asking my two friends to get their own.

In short, it's a nice atmosphere and benefits from being in the heart of what I consider to be one of Sydney's cultural centers. It's small enough to be hard-core, however I felt distracted and wasn't able to define their unique selling point. I guess I'll need a good excuse to go again.

Address: 348 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, Sydney
Ph: +02 9331 7871
Web: http://www.atravola.com.au/http://www.atravola.com.au/

Sprout Dining, Honeysuckle Newcastle, Australia

I've been so lucky to go home to Newcastle twice recently - once in November for my brothers wedding, and again at Christmas. There are so many weddings, babies and other happenings at the moment, and I can't say no to a good celebration.

On our November visit to Newcastle, we found ourselves driving around the foreshore and honeysuckle area, commenting on how much it had changed since we'd lived there. Newcastle has a real appetite for development at the moment - with some of the best beaches and lifestyle in the world, coupled with great coffee, and burgeoning foodie scene, and not to mention the local university doing a bumper trade, it wasn't going to be long before businesses started becoming attracted to the area again.

After BHP closed in the 1990's, Newcastle became a bit of a shell of it's former steel-city self. However step by step it's emerged as a unique surf-and-food city and backpacker destination in it's own right. After moving out in 2005 with a chip on my shoulder, I now find myself with more reasons to say 'I could live here again' each time I go back. I hear the railway will close soon and the city will be opened up to gardens and walkways like the highline - I can only wish my adolescent home town would be so cool in the future!

So while cruising honeysuckle we happened upon Sprout. I scoped the table settings and my first reaction was a big fat 'NO", but feeling hungry we sat down at the outdoor tables and immediately began to warm up to the idea. . .

From the outdoors, Sprout isn't much to look at. The art seems sparse, the colours completely unoffensive, and the outdoor tables looked like the might be more at home out front of a chip shop. However as soon as the waitresses greets you, you know you're being welcomed into someone's pride and joy. They're endearing to the point of offering blankies for you to keep your lap warm while you eat outdoors. They're genuine enough to give you their suggestion when you're tossing up between 2 meals. And they're candid enough to reprimand you when the wrong wine arrives and you don't immediately point it out to them. This is Newcastle hospitality, at the evolving edge.

On our second visit to Sprout in December, we were pleased to see the same waitresses, and this time we sat inside, where there's a better perspective of what they're trying to do with the decorations. It's still simple and limited, but the thoughtfulness is more apparent from the indoors. The kitchen is pleasing - spotless, efficient, and peppered with tidy chefs running here and there like ants sent on errands by the head chef staking his position in the serving window. They're obviously happy to be on display, and rightly so.

Having now visited twice, I can confidently quote the vegetarian menu! A delicious cauliflower soup, and a fig dish for starers, and a dense, buttery gnocci for main course. In retrospect, I'd take the gnocci in an entre size for my main course - it's delicious but oh-so-filling! The meals are served timely, and the ingredients are fresh and fragrant. The cauliflower soup seems to be my favourite - it's creamy yet light, and with a hint of truffle. Yum!

The deserts are great - enough said. Some delicious peanut butter, and a chocolate lovers plate. Some good imagination and a commendable attempt at some post-modern specialties. At the end of the day, Newcastle is moving ahead, but Novocastrians still love their chocolate mudcakes!

I'm so pleased and excited by this little beauty of a restaurant. I tried getting a booking at Bacchus and Subo last time I was in town, considering the hype I'm hearing about Newcastle's fine-dining scene. Bacchus was closed for the Christmas-NewYear period, and Subo was no-chance for a booking (closed until mid Jan! I hope the husband and wife team are having a good time off. . . but I'd like to eat there!). I guess no matter how far Newcastle has come ahead, it's still a big country town and closes shop for the holidays. Considering that I could get a same-day booking with Sprout, it's definitely one of the accessible little treasures that Honeysuckle has to offer.

Add: 2 Honeysuckle drive, Newcastle, NSW Australia
PH: +61 (02) 40233565
Web: http://sproutcatering.com.au/main/page_sprout_dining_home.html

Christmas, RedHead Beach, Australia

This year we hosted a traditional Christmas at my Mum and Dad's house in Redhead. There was Turkey and Ham. . . yes. . . and plenty of lovely vegetables!

It was so nice to be home. Merry Christmas Everyone!

The Christmas Spoils

 Balsamic baked sprouts, and chickpea mash

 Walnut, cranberry and feta salad. Yes, that's the turkey!

Veggie bake, green beans with almond and lemon, and beetroot with pesto

 Asparagus with waterchestnuts, and bread and apple stuffing

Our Christmas table pre-feast!

Pony, The Rocks, Sydney, Australia

Pony seems to be all about location and design - they have 3 Australian locations, and we were lucky enough to visit the Rocks establishment. Nestled in the historic cove of Sydney harbour, you can't find a much better place to take out-of-towners for a great meal. The restaurant is surrounded by souvenir shops (you need to walk through the mall to get to the Ladies, so as you step out of the cool tones of the Pony bar area into the fluorescent space of the mall, surrounded by ugg boots, didgeridoos, and opals, you get a sudden reminder of where you are! The ambiance is starkly contrasting on the trip to the loo!) ~ but despite all this, Pony manages to channel historic Australia, modern dining, and a touch of horse all at once.  

The drinks menu is inviting and unique - we all enjoyed cocktails as we settled in for another big night of eating! My Husbands Sister and her Fiance were meeting us there, having traveled up from Melbourne ~ Pony was recommended to them by some foodie friends, and we figured that if a Melbournite was willing to recommend a Sydney restaurant, then it must be good! (Read: wounded pride). We weren't disappointed, albeit a tad underwhelmed.

Our starers were flavoursome and fresh, and for a main - can you believe it? CARROTS! This was my 2nd veggie meal out in Sydney, and s strangely enough, it was the second carrot meal I'd had. Was this a trend? Is someone making a joke about vegetarians being carrot-munchers? I'm sure it's not an organized conspiracy, but quite an uncanny coincidence. Perhaps the carrot is making a comeback ~ it hasn't been seen outside of the dip platter since the 1970's, and a return to the center stage is well-deserved. However as this was my 2nd carrot-themed meal, I could only compare it to the other at Bentley the night before. Sorry to say Bentley's carrots whipped those of Pony (see salad above).

Desert is always a pleasure ~ what can I say?

The service was smooth and discreet, and our waitress was consistently there with us. We sat on a long dining table for 6 in the middle of the gun-barrel room, with the Pony-hide covered bar, housing an  open air stainless steel kitchen at one end. The exposed brickwork and warm lighting suit the feel of the Rocks perfectly, while bringing a modern, if not industrial feel to the place. The decore of the establishment is definitely it's defining feature.

I can't put my finger on why I was underwhelmed - perhaps the Pony hides might have given me a hint that vegetarian food wasn't their forte? Ha ha! Well - the food was fresh and very nice - we're in Australia, so you can't complain about freshness and quality here! But it was missing some kind of oumph that only a veggie food-star can notice. I will go again - we had fun! But not my top. . . 

Address: 15 Argyle Street,The Rocks NSW

PH: (02)9252 7797

Web: http://www.ponydining.com.au/pony_the_rocks.htm 

Original Sin, Singapore

It's not fine dining, but it's certainly vegetarian, and a great night out (depending on who you're with!).

I'm studying with INSEAD in Singapore at the moment, and during each visit I get the opportunity to eat out with my fellow students. On this occasion I chose the restaurant from a short list of options ~ since even the local Singaporean meat-eaters were rating Original Sin, I had no hesitation in signing my study group up for dinner here!

Original Sin is situated on a leafy row of restaurants in terrace houses -  the precinct has a local warmth about it, but obviously frequented by the international set within Singapore. Italian, French and other restaurants are lined up, with open-air terrace seating all along the quiet street. The area is a-buzz with friendly chatter and bird life, and the Singapore heat hangs in the air.

Original Sin is 100% vegetarian. You can't go wrong with any option, however I particularly enjoyed my meal which was a quinoa and mushroom pattie with plum sauce. The menu options were inventive and filling, and each has an Asian flair.

The service is fine and I found the alcohol expensive (actually - this applies to all of Singapore! Minus duty-free!!) and the decore is dominated by the pleasure of sitting outside in the warm evening air. I'll happily eat here again ~ I like the ethos and the imagination that has gone into each meal. 'Vegetarian food' screams out as their catch-phase, rather than a pleasant, subtle surprise - which is fine! I think plenty of meat-eaters will be happy to eat here - it's filling and flavoursome. It's not trying to be fine-dining so I wont benchmark it as such. Please enjoy!


Address: Blk 43 #01-62 Jalan Merah Saga Holland Village, Chip Bee Gardens Singapore
Tel: +65.6475 5605
Web: http://originalsin.com.sg/

Bentley, Sydney, Australia

Having grown up in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, I always enjoy visiting! Sydney has been getting a reputation for snobbery lately, and definitely there are more places to 'be seen' now then there used to be (according to my memory!) however it's true to say that the quality, genuine design, and unique eating experiences to be found there are world class.

So after driving in circles for a long time (parking in Surry Hills is even more scarce now than it used to be) and then walking in stilettos for 20 minutes, we finally found our place at the table at The Bentley. It was worth it to find this little gem of a dining room. 

We sat at a large round dining table that felt like it was in someones home, or at least a meeting place for good friends - the restaurant was busy and full, but cosey and dim as well, with lots of warm wood tones. The bar and restaurant are distinct, but merge into each other effortlessly. The room has a mix of bar and brasserie feel, with a distinct Australian post-war flair. To me this means simplicity, something about the paint, and a distinct use of glass. It also means hallways and sitting rooms. I can't pinpoint the decorations - it just felt SO SYDNEY. I loved being back there.

The Bentley has a vegetarian tasting menu which looked amazing - this menu was one of the reasons my friend had booked. Amongst her chef friends they suggested it was one of the best veggie upper-end dining experiences in Sydney, so we were eager to enjoy! However as we were a table of 5 people and only 3 wanted the veggie tasting, we weren't able to take advantage and support the initiative (the whole table needs to order it so that the meals come our in unison - fair enough), but we still got to enjoy some of the delicacies!

In all my years as a vegetarian, carrot has usually been served as a side dish to some other main event. So I was so surprised and delighted to have a main meal paying homage to this every-day vegetable. The grains were a welcome support act to the caramelised, salty carrots. We had a side of chickpea fries which filled us up nicely too.

You wont feel like you're being processed through your dinner here, or rushed along in favour of bigger drinkers. Despite being disjointed to miss the tasting menu, we got the chance to enjoy a great meal where veggies were well respected and not treated as a begrudging after-thought on the menu. Desert was particularly good, but Bentley deserves cudos for the imagination they have brought to the veggie movement. The service is warm and assertive, but not over the top. I'll come again!

Address: 320 Crown St, Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia
Ph: +02 9332 2344
Web: www.thebentley.com.au

Flutes at the Fort, Singapore

Sometimes when I visit Singapore I'm left wanting for more eating options. There are plenty of great street eateries, but when I want something special I only have a hand full of ideas. Then I found Flutes at the Fort!

In an old colonial bungalow on Fort Canning, Flutes is the most uniquely Singaporean experience I've had. We started with drinks on the balcony, watching fruit bats speed in an out of the leafy canopy above us. A warm Singaporean breeze moved past us before the mandatory dusk rain started to pour down on us. We made our way indoors, weaving in and out of the white linen tables. You can easily imagine Futes as someones home - the rooms seem to have been opened up but largely kept in place, giving the dining room a private and personal feel. Several people commented on the unique artwork - it's obvious that someone has put a lot of thought into decorating this beautiful venue.

As a main I had risotto and for desert a chocolate tart. Beautiful salads and breads seemed to be continuously coming and going from the table. We were there are part of a large party (30+ people) and I was impressed that the veggies amongst us were so well-fed (usually function vegetarian is an after-thought!). I'll definitely be going back on my next Singapore trip! Flutes suits a romantic dinner for 2 or even a small to medium sized work event. Finally I've found the soul in Singapore.

Address: Fort Canning Park, Entrance through the Singapore Philatelic Museum’s carpark at 23B Coleman Street, Singapore
Tel: 6338 8770
Web: http://www.flutes.com.sg/