Harbour Bridge, Sydney
Sydney Tower
With it’s rolling hills and dramatic sea views, Sydney immediately reminds you of San Francisco. The weather during my visit in late February of 2014 was a perfect 75 degrees with a few scattered clouds but no rain in sight. Evenings were a bit cooler dropping into the mid 60’s.
Hotels:
Shangri-La located in the Rocks area of town, my stay at the Shagri-la was pleasant and the rate was far more reasonable than the Four Seasons which although well located right next to the harbor and my favorite curios shop is grossly overpriced. Their lobby decor is reminiscent of a tired Marriott and folks from all walks of life seem to congregate there. They do have a quaint bar with barstools overlooking the street which is a good place to people watch while you enjoy an overpriced beer.
The workout facility at the Shagri-la is adequate for most of your on-the road work out needs. Perhaps their best attraction is the dinning room at the Penthouse where you have a spectacular view of the Operahouse. The small Blu bar has a nice next to the rooftop restaurant has a nice crowd on a Saturday night as well.
The location is very good and it is a short and safe walk to many of Sydney’s top restaurants and pub’s. Their concierge staff is very knowledgeable and friendly and outside of a problem that I had with my laundry service being delivered late the overall stay was very pleasant. One note of caution. If you like earning points for future travel, Shangri-La does not have a very extensive network of hotels around the world so you may be disappointed.
Restaurants:
Felix is a French Bistro type restaurant. They serve several varieties of fresh seafood and oysters. I tried the Hastings which were quite good but was then introduced to Pambola which are brought from a place about 2 and a half hours south of Sydney. These were an absolute delicacy and I have never had a more creamy and delicious oyster. Felix also prepares a superb Steak Frite. Chase this all down with a bottle of Little Creatures or Coopers Brewery Beer.
The Cut is located in the Rocks area of Sydney and features a 4-hour Wagyu (otherwise known as Kobe) Standing Rib available in 300 and 450 gram portions, which is the best piece of meat I have ever had. I ordered a side of Corn with Jalapeño butter and mushrooms with truffle oil. This was all paired with a perfect glass of Parker 2010 Cabernet sauvignon. For desert their piece de resistance is a deconstructed cheese cake. Don’t worry, it is nothing like what you might think of when envisioning cheese cake, this is very light and full of flavor. The manager is Lorina who is delightful, I had Marco as my server who hails from Italy but speaks perfect Spanish and English as well. Their very knowledgeable sommelier is Angelo who is the establishments angel of wine. Make reservations in advance and prepare yourself for a culinary experience of a lifetime.
Trio on Bondi is the place to be for a perfect Sunday brunch in late February. They serve a large array of breakfast items from omelets and pancakes to more healthy fare like granola and oatmeal. The wait times are long but well worth it. You can give your name to the hostess and wonder down the joggers trail alongside a dramatic cliff with fabulous views.
Spice Temple located at 10 Bligh steet, you know you have arrived somewhere special when you first see the door which is a giant HD screen of silk curtains slowly dancing with the wind to eventually expose its name. This is part of a Sidney trend to make their basements into high yield spaces. The Chinese regional menu (avoiding Cantonese) is great and includes such delicacies as numbing beef (which actually numbs your mouth with the chili used), it is part of a chain of restaurants which do a great job and they also provide catering to Quantas. Make sure to have a reservation and don’t expect to linger as you will be asked to leave after two hours of dining to make room for more patrons.
Bars & Pubs:
Palmer & Co. Is a hidden underground bar located on Abercrombie Ln. I discovered that this incredible speakeasy is not even well known by locals but is truly one of the special places I have ever visited in the world. The live music is mesmorizing and the bar staff is fantastic. In my earlier years I could have easily closed the place down at 5am since they have a special license to remain open till late.
The Hero of Waterloo this is a very well established pub where the beer is exceptionally good and the bands to a great job of rocking the night away. It is a short walk back to the Shangri-La and a great time.
Safety Tips:
Some folks in Australia have taken a liking to the U.S.’ “knockout game”, where the goal is to hit an unsuspecting victim in the back of the head and attempt to knock them out with one single blunt trauma blow. For this reason and just cautious travel in general it is strongly discouraged that you walk alone in the street late at night, especially in the more seedy areas like Kings Cross where most of us Bonvivants’ would not be caught dead anyway.
Tips:
If you make any large purchases (I bought a Didgeridoo which is a wind instrument that dates back about 1500 years and are made by the native Australians in the North. It is about 4 feet tall and it is played like a trumpet). Do not mail them back to the US. The store where you purchase it will pack it in bubble wrap and a box and deliver it directly to your room. You can then put it on the plane and take it home with you saving about $80 USD and the uncertainty of its safe arrival back in the US. Mine was opened by customs but arrived safely and has a prominent place in our music room today.