Quintessential SYD Restaurants for Entertaining with Great Food & Fantastic Views?

Question

Hello:

We are going to be in Sydney for only 3 days from 26-29 January 07(we're from Toronto, and in the restaurant business there) and we need to entertain one business couple each night we are there. We don't need the trendiest spots (*although that would be fine as well), but we need to have KILLER views and great food...doesn't need to be the most innovative, just very good. None of the couples we are entertaining have ever been to Sydney before. We have been given some "old standbys" by frequent visitors to SYD: Cafe Sydney, Harbour Kitchen in Bar (in the Hyatt)as well as Otto in Wooloomooloo. Overall, we are looking for a great Sydney experience that will be memorable. $$ not a real concern.
Anybody have some other (or better) suggestions?
Don't need any Asian food unless it's sensational as we are going to Bangkok & Singapore for a few weeks upon departure.

Many thanks!

Answer

This is a challenge because there are so many:

Quay - great view of the Opera House/Bridge. Very fine food. One of Sydney's top restaurants.

Doyles (Circular Quay) - actually downstairs from Quay so the same view. But it is really a glorified fish and chip shop - OK if that is what you want (there are better). The best Doyles is actually at Watsons Bay (and be aware they have three here - a restaurant, the pub beer garden, and a take away) - if you want to push the boat out (no pun intended) catch a water taxi to get there it looks back down the harbour to the city and is in a nice quite bay (still a fish and chip shop though).

Aqua Dining - on the north side of the harbour so looks back towards the opera house under the bridge. Good food and a bit off the tourist track - locals tend to take their visitors there.

Guillaume at Bennelong - this is in the Opera House. It is actually the smaller "sail" nearest the city. Great views looking out (remember you are "in" the view), and an amazing room, with the soaring ceiling above you. Another one of Sydney's top restaurants and a personal favorite.

Icebergs Dining Room - this looks down Bondi Beach, it is a stunning modern restaurant perched on the cliff with good ocean views. Food is very good, and it is trendy.

Bathers Pavilion - this is out at Balmoral Beach (short/reasonable taxi ride from the city), housed in an old municipal beach changing room. Lots of character, right on a pretty, tree lined beach, looking out onto the harbour. Great food as well, a favorite of the well healed "lower north shore" crowd.

We used to love the "Harbour Kitchen & Bar" but I fear it has lost it's buzz and dropped standards in the kitchen. I also find "Cafe Sydney" is at best average for food, the view is OK, but it does attract a lot of office parties/weddings etc. "Otto's" on the wharf at Woolloomooloo is good if you get an outside table (but not a view of the OH and bridge - this is yachts and the botanic gardens), inside is nice as it is an old wharf but a very limited view.

Other ones to think about are "Catalina" and "Pier" (and "The Pier Tasting Room" - yet to visit, but one review compared to very favorably to "Atellier Joel Robuchon" in style and quality) all in Rose bay and on/over the water. You may also consider "Flying Fish" on Jones Bay Wharf which is atmospheric ,good food (but average view).

Two thoughts. First, go for variety - so choose a OH/Bridge view, then next night a ocean beach view, then the final night a harbour bay view (Guillamine or Quay, Icebergs, and Pier Tasting Room or Bathers Pavilion). Second, look them up on the web - many have web sites with pictures. Third - book - views at good restaurants are popular.

Answer

One other thought. Here are two blogs - one Singapore, the other Bangkok - both useful for restaurant/food info.
http://www.chubbyhubby.net/
http://realthai.blogspot.com/

Answer

All good suggestions but I did not see Cadamus...
At Circular Quay. John Howard is often there. The last time I was there the waiter suggested we were at Denzel Washington's table. Great food and a combination view of the Oprah House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge that is remarkable. Bring money!

Answer

I think it is closed - it went bust.

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Quintessential SYD Restaurants for Entertaining with Great Food & Fantastic Views?

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