Australia Restaurant Reviews

Last Visit: 5/28/2024

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Last Visit: 5/29/2024

Mr Wong
3 Bridge Ln
Sydney New South Wales 2000 Australia
(02) 9114 7317
https://merivale.com/venues/mrwong/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/mr-wong-sydney

Mr Wong is a Cantonese Chinese restaurant that was recommend by a friend. Tucked away in a hidden alley, they serve dim sum only at lunch time. Prices are high by even SF Bay Area standards. 4.3 stars on Yelp. Established about 12 years ago. Part of the renowned Marrivale restaurant group. (sushi e, Queen Chow Enmore) Reserve early.

We did not have reservations and walked in when the restaurant opened. (Lined up 15 minutes before hand) It is a very busy hot spot, so reserve early. Very loud scene with lots of business folks after work and well dressed Austrailians.

Dim sum is served at lunch, with 2 samplers available at dinner time. (Steamed or fried items)

The food was slightly better than we expected. Do not expect miracles here, if you are a Cantonese food expert. This is a great place for regular folks to try some solid cuisine. Prices are expensive.

Service started very good and fell off to the point were we even had to ask for water. They do take allergies seriously.

Mr Wong was a nice spot to dine at, giving us a view into what the high end diner looks like in Sydney. Prices are high compared to top spots in the SF Bay Area.

Safety Pluses – Not much, Online menu.

Food Review:
Pai Mei Punch (AUS$25) cocktail had a huge ice cube and just a little liquid. 3/10

Steamed dim sum platter (AUS$50) A selection of today’s specialties including shrimp dumplings, lobster dumplings, vegetarian dumplings and one other one. Fresh and hot. All dumplings are done well but not amazing. 8.5/10

Peking Duck ($62 for half) includes 8 pancakes still had a lot of fat on each piece. Thin pancakes with scallions, cucumber, and hoisin sauce. Skin was not crispy and too much fat. 8/10

Queensland king prawns ($58) Steamed with ginger, shallots, and white soy had a reasonable amount of prawns. They were deshelled, making them solid and easy to eat. Should have had some vermicelli noodles underneath. 9/10

Broccolini, sugarsnaps and snowpeas (AUS$36) with garlic and rice wine hit the mark. Large dish of veggies. 9/10

Overall – Very Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Excellent
Service – Very Good
Value – Good

Would we come back – Maybe

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Last Visit: 5/29/2024

Emperor’s Garden
96-100 Hay St
Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia

http://www.emperorsgarden.com.au/

Emperor’s Garden is a popular bakery in Sydney’s Chinatown, right inside the Chinatown gates. There is often a line for their popular custard puffs at the outside window. They also have a bakery.

Be sure to explore this pedestrian mall for various Chinese food items. Also visit Haymarket across the street. A bazaar of low cost touristy trinkets, clothes, vegetables, and more.

Food Review:
Emperor’s Puff (AUS$0.60 each) are hot off the press. Small almost donut hole like treats with hot filling. Watch out when they are hot! 9/10

Sesame balls are big and full of black sesame filling. 8.5/10

Deep fried pork puffs don’t have a lot of filling but are crispy. 7.5/10

Overall – Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Fair
Service – Good
Value – Very Good

Would we come back – Yes

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Last Visit: 5/28/2024

Funky Pies
2/144-148 Glenayr Ave
Bondi Beach NSW 2026

Homepage

0451 944 404

Funky Pies is a vegan, plant based eater in Bondi, a couple blocks from the beach. They specialize in plant based pies, treats and smoothies. Several gluten free items. 4.5 stars on Trip Advisor.

The pies were great, highly recommended if you are vegan or gluten free.

It was nice to visit a funky local joint outside of the tourist spots.

Safety Pluses – Online menu, Delivery services available, online ordering.

Food Review:
Funky Chunky Pie (AUS$7.95) with shiitake mushrooms, rich gravy, creamy mash is their most popular one. We found it had a great crust, but not a lot of flavor. 8.5/10

Nepalese Lamb-Style curry pie ($7.95) had more flavor than the other pie. Definitely recommended. Not overwhelming curry. 9/10

Pie, drink and cookie AUS$20 special.

Vegan cookies – Carmel chocolate was decadent and great. The chocolate chip one was a bit sweet.

Overall – Very Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Good
Service – Very Good
Value – Very Good

Would we come back – Yes

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Last Visit: 5/30/2024

Mountain High Pies
293 Great Western Hwy
Wentworth Falls, NSW
4757-3737

Home

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g504276-d3949428-Reviews-Mountain_High_Pies-Wentworth_Falls_Blue_Mountains_New_South_Wales.html

Mountain High Pies is a bakery on the way to the Blue Mountains in New South Wales Australia. Our guide stopped us here for lunch. This is like a local fast food pie place with several gluten free and vegan options. Their pastry is classified VTF – Virtually Trans fat free.

Food Review:
Minced Beef Pie (AU$7) is a good sized Australian pie with solid filling. 8/10

Apple Rhubarb Pie ($5.70 vegan)is served cold but hit the mark without being too fatty. 8/10

Turtle Cookie ($4.50 Vegan/GF) is a large cookie with an interesting flavor. 7/10

Mango Frappe ($) was on the icy side, lacking flavor. 5/10

Overall – Very Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Very Good
Service – Good
Value – Very Good

Would we come back – Yes

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Last Visit: 5/30/2024

Pho Viet Noodle Bar
5/78 Abbott St
Cairns City QLD 4870

Yelplink

Pho Viet is a casual Vietnamese restaurant right outside the Cairns Night market. We were looking for a quick bite and this fit the bill. Sidewalk seating.

They have several locations.

Food Review:
Pho Tai (AU$18.90) had a surprisingly decent broth and lots of noodles. Beef was better than expected too. Bean sprouts included but a bit pale. 8.5/10

Pho Ga ($18.90) is a nice chicken version of pho. 8/10

Watermelon juice ($10.90 small) was as expected, fruity and refreshing. 8/10

Overall – Good
Food – Good
Decor – Good
Service – Good
Value – Good

Would we come back – Yes

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Last Visit: 6/1/2024

Ochre Restaurant
Harbour Lights Boardwalk, 1 Marlin Parade
Cairns City QLD 4870
https://ochrerestaurant.com.au/book-now/
(07) 4051 0100

Ochre is a Modern Australian restaurant right on the boardwalk in Cairns, Australia.
We lived nearby and gave it a try.

Food was slightly above average as expected.

Food Review:
Wattle seed damper – native dukka, olive oil – DF, V (AUS$12) was a different pre-cut housemate roll. Includes olive oil and local spices. 8/10

Kangaroo Satays – macadamia satay sauce – DF, GF 20. 8/10

Scallops, prosciutto, tomato, asparagus, fine herbs – sunrise lime and honey dressing – DF, GF 25 5/10

Pork Chop, pepper berry Vietnamese style marinade – potato salad, apple, orange and fennel – DF, GF 44. 7.5/10

Overall – Good
Food – Good
Decor – Good
Service – Fair
Value – Good

Would we come back – Yes

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Last Visit: 6/2/2024

Frogs Restaurant
4 Rob Veivers Dr
Kuranda, QLD 4881
07-409308952

https://frogsrestaurant.com.au/

Frogs Restaurant is in the touristy Kuranda area. Goal was to find something okay. It was surprisingly decent. 4.5 stars on Trip advisor.

Safety Pluses – Online menu, Delivery services available, online ordering.

Food Review:
Beef Bacon cheese burger (AU$24) with fries hit the mark. Decent beef and quantity on this burger. Fries were fine. 8.5/10

Classic Fish & Chips ($28) had a huge portion of solid meaty fish and some fries. Get it if you like this dish. 8.5/10

Overall – Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Good
Service – Good
Value – Good

Would we come back – Yes

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Last Visit: 6/2/2024

Vitalia’s Italian
Shop G9 2 PierPoint Road
Cairns City, QLD 4870
07-4000-0865
https://vitaliasrestaurant.com.au/

Vitalia’s Italian is an Italian restaurant on Cairns touristy boardwalk. We had tried nearby marginal Ochre and decided to try this spot next. The food was actually very good and the service fine.

Food Review:
Pacchetti Guanciale e Funghi (AU$35) is a wide chopped pasta with lots of mushrooms. Cooked pretty well and lots of pasta. 8/10

Risotto Calabrisella ($35) is an egg less dish with lots of chopped up sausage. Nice balanced flavors. 8.5/10

Verdure Grigliate ($17) is a cold vegetable side dish platter with several types. 8/10

Overall – Very Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Very Good
Service – Very Good
Value – Good

Would we come back – Yes

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Last Visit: 6/3/2024

The Chambers

21 Spence St

Cairns City QLD 4870

(07) 4041 7302

https://the-chambers.com.au

The Chambers is a beautiful cafe in Cairns.  Large outdoor seating area is right outside.

We stopped by for a quick breakfast.  Service was solid and competent.  This is a great spot for brunch or lunch.

Safety Pluses – Outdoor seating.

Food Review:

Smashed Avocado Toast (AU$12.50) had 2 nice pieces of quality toasted bread.  Could have used more avocado. 8.5/10

Acai Smoothie ($14) hit the spot with a nice smooth drink. 8.5/10

Overall – Very Good

Food – Very Good

Decor – Very Good

Service – Very Good

Value – Very Good

Would we come back – Yes

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Last Visit: 6/3/2024

72 Grafton St

Cairns City QLD 4870

(07) 4051 9565

https://www.lillipadcafe.com/menu/

Lilipad is a casual restaurant in Cairns, Australia that specializes in food that is Vegan but with options for Omnivores.  Many items can be adapted to dietary requirements. You order, pay at the counter, and food is brought to your table. 4.5 stars on Trip advisor.

Safety Pluses – Online menu, outside seating.

Food Review:

Muesli (AU$15) with fruit, yogurt with oat milk hit the spot.  Lots of fresh fruit and tender muesli. 8.5/10

Crepe Trip ($22) Sautéed mushrooms, zucchini and Spanish onion in a reduced sour cream sauce, wrapped in crepes and served with a Greek salad had 2 large crepes.  Sightly different style than French Crepes.  Solid dish. 8/10

Lilli’s Obsession Dessert Crepe ($12.80 half portion) French crepes filled with a mix of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and crème anglaise, drizzled with chocolate sauce and served with whipped cream were vegan and surprisingly close to real ones.  A nice sweet dessert with the vegan egg-free crepe that was close to the real thing. 8/10

Overall – Very Good

Food – Very Good

Decor – Good

Service – Very Good

Value – Very Good

Would we come back – Yes

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Last Visit: 6/3/2024

Continental Deli
210 Australia St
Newtown, NSW 2042
44-600-893-678

https://www.continentaldelicatessen.com.au/

Continental Deli is a gastro pub in Newtown, not far from the Sydney airport. We had time before a flight and found it on a Best of Eater.com list and gave it a try. This spot is more of a cool bar serving up high end food. Lots of counters, just a couple tables up front.

Service was very good as was the food. A nice upgrade from the usual airport food. We went mid week and found it quiet, but heard there is a line during peak times.

Safety Pluses – Online menu.

Food Review:
Pina Colada (AU$20) was short but well made. Not strong strength. 8/10

Continental Sourdough & Olive Oil (AU$5 per person) is a necessity while waiting for mains and to add starch to the mains. 8/10

‘Continental’ Free-Range Pork Smoked Sausage, with Sherry Cont Onion & Grilled Pepper ($45) was a large sausage with some sides. Decent but not as good as the lamb. 8/10

S.A Grass Fed Roasted Lamb Rump with Celeriac Purée & Mustard Seed Jus ($55) was very tender and full of nice flavor. No starch or vegggies, so be sure to order some separately. 9/10

Fioretto Salad with Sauce Ravigote ($14) or broccoli was a must get to add some veggies to entrees. 9/10

Overall – Very Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Very Good
Service – Very Good
Value – Very Good

Would we come back – Yes