UAG Dines Out

SALT SPRAY DINING ROOM Holiday Inn 300 Esplanade, Sydney Well, dear readers, our dining experience did not start off well.  The problem is that when the Holiday Inn took over the Delta Sydney, they renovated and holy smoke, did they ever renovate. The first thing they forgot to do was to direct patrons to the new restaurant.  Yes, there is this lovely sign, but it is tucked away in the corner that is not even close to where the restaurant is located. As a result, the over-worked Front Desk Receptionist, looking out over a line of tired but hopeful people with bookings and suitcases and small children, has to stop for a moment to direct restaurant patrons. "Over by the elevators" she hollered.  Not much help, but I followed the tilt of her head and eventually found it after several wrong turns. On my way, I had to pass this: Whoever designed this new Holiday Inn has a thing for the 1960s.  I've been there, as they say, and I don't want to...

THE CAMEL CAFE 263 Townsend Street, Sydney The Camel Cafe, facing Townsend Street My dear friends, this was a very different dining experience for the six members of the UAG that met for our April outing.  Why you ask?  Because this small restaurant gave us so much more than just an excellent meal - we relaxed, we ate, we talked, we laughed, and we promised ourselves that next time we are trying the Hookah pipes (grape, double apple, watermelon and peach flavours!). The first thing that you notice when you enter this restaurant is that it doesn't look like a restaurant.  There are comfy leather chairs, glass-topped coffee tables, lovely mesmerizing music,  wonderful aromas, and no sign of a either a cash register or a kitchen. Meet your server, Moemen. Yes, I was sitting next to him so that we could get his picture,  but I didn't tell him that I would be cropping myself out of the photo. Members of UAG are never photographed. You are loo...

TRIO 380 Esplanade Sydney This is a lovely restaurant, located on the first floor of the Cambridge Suites.  The restaurant is on the side of the hotel, overlooking the harbour. Although it was my first time there, several of the others had already dined at Trio and were, quite frankly, anxious to return.  There were a few new members at the table, so we were able to select quite a few items from the menu. Salads and Appetizers : There were two appetizers ordered: 1.  You can see the Half Caesar Salad to the left, which got excellent reviews. 2. The second appetizer disappeared so fast that we didn't get a photo.  There should be a photo here of the Kettle Chips, salt & vinegar, with a wonderful dipping sauce. Heaven, can you say Heaven? Dinners : This is the half-sized Fish 'n Chips that I ordered and I have to tell you that my mouth is watering just telling you about it.  So Good! And the portion size (keep in mind this was ...

ZANA'S DINER 416 George Street Sydney This is a very busy time of the year and so only three of us were able to meet this evening for dinner at Zana's Diner on George Street, just a few doors up from the corner of George and Prince Streets.  Because it was so dark at 5:00 pm, I took an interior photo for you. Decorated for Christmas! There were people at most of the tables and people coming in for their take-out orders, so this is a quick shot.  We were very lucky to be waited on by Zana herself and her chef, Heather, both of whom called us all Sweetheart, which was nice. Here's what we ordered: Shish Kabob Plate with lettuce and tomato I had the Shish Kabob Plate and yes, that's real fresh-cut fries, grilled onions and peppers with squares of beef that melted on the first bite. Tasty!  That's bar-b-que sauce in the white container.  And do you know what else was nice?  Zana kept filling my mug with hot tea...gotta love that. Two fatyres ...

View from across the street THE EMBERS Corner of Bentinck and Prince Streets, Sydney Entrance to the restaurant Anne C's meal - notice all the items arrive in their own dishes. This is the pulled pork dish. This is the beef brisket with mac'n cheese. Six of us spent a very enjoyable time at this new restaurant in downtown Sydney.  As you can see, it is located in the back of the old Crowell's Building, with the entrance on Prince Street. It's a bit different - let me tell you why.  Can you see people lined up to the left in the picture above? Well, when you go in this door, you immediately line up to order your food and to pay the bill. Then you go and sit down and your meal is delivered to your table. The line-up is the longest part as the food is delivered very quickly once you have ordered.  Unfortunately, the line-up is also for take-out orders, but we're hoping they change that. I made this larger so you can read the menu ...